Austin Hays is having a strong season for Class A Advanced Frederick, but Sunday's effort was one of his best games yet as he finished a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with four extra-base hits.
The Orioles' No. 7 prospect extended his hitting streak to eight games and set career highs in hits and RBIs (6) as Frederick topped Lynchburg, 11-5.
• Box score
"I think I had a five-hit game in college, but this is definitely the best professional game I've ever had," Hays told MiLB.com. "I expected to come here and have success. I know I'm a good player and can compete at a high level. I'm just very excited to see that I've had a good first part of the season against a lot of good pitchers and position players, which has definitely helped me become a better player in the process."
Hays, 21, hit .336 in 38 games in his professional debut last season after the Orioles selected his in the third round of the 2016 Draft. This year, Hays' full-season debut, he's continued to excel offensively, hitting .328 with 16 homers 41 RBIs through 64 games. In May he became the first Frederick player to hit three home runs in a game.
Hays' impact was felt early and often on Sunday as he led off the game with a single and scored the Keys' first run, one of four runs Hays scored. Hays then highlighted a five-run second inning with a three-run homer and drove in another run via a double in the third.
The Keys had raced out to a 9-1 lead through three innings, but Hays wasn't done. The outfielder collected his second double of the day in the fifth and capped the game with a two-run homer in the seventh.