Hometown heroics.

Cody Herald and Mick Fennell have been providing plenty for the Butler BlueSox this summer.

The former Butler High School teammates carry the top two batting averages among the team’s regulars and are among the more versatile players on the squad.

“They’re energetic and they love playing the game,” BlueSox manager Anthony Rebyanski said. “Those two have been central players to our success so far.

“The fact they’re Butler guys and put a few more people in the stands only adds to that.”

The BlueSox are 35-19 overall mark and recently rode a club record 11-game winning streak.

Herald has been hitting fourth in the BlueSox lineup and carries a .288 batting average with a home run and a team-leading 32 RBI. Herald’s 47 hits lead the team and has 10 doubles as well.

Fennell hits first or second in the batting order and is hitting .303 with six doubles and 12 RBI. He was originally signed as a temporary player to start the season as a number of Butler players were enjoying postseason success with their respective collegiate teams.

Herald was among them, playing for Seton Hill in the Division II World Series.

“I asked Rabi (Rebyanski) if Mick was coming back because he was scheduled to be gone before I got there,” Herald recalled. “At first, there wasn’t a spot for him.

“A guy got injured early and as soon as I found out Mick was coming back, I texted him and told him how much I was looking forward to being teammates with him again.”

Fennell hit below .200 for his first month with the team before going on a tear. Herald got off to a slow start as well.

As the pair started hitting, the BlueSox started winning with regularity.

“It took me a while to adjust to the pitching in this league,” Fennell admitted. “You’re facing guys from all over the country, pitchers you’ve never seen before.”

Herald and Fennell are tied for second on the BlueSox with 23 runs scored. They’ve both been hit by pitches six times and both have walked more than they’ve struck out.

Herald has drawn 20 walks and has fanned 16 times in 164 at bats. Fennell has walked 13 times and struck out 11 in 109 at bats.

“These guys put the bat on the ball or they sraw walks” Rebyanski said. “They make things happen at the plate.”

Fennell has helped out on the mound as well. After Tuesday night’s win, he’s 3-1 with a 2.93 earned run average, allowing only 28 hits in 30.2 innings pitched. He’s walked just five and had a complete-game victory during Butler’s 11-game winning streak.

“Everybody is hurting for pitching at this time of year,” Rebyanski said. “Mick has been a key arm there because he pitches in college and he throws strikes.”

Fennell has played all three outfield positions for the BlueSox. Herald has played everywhere on the diamond except first base and catcher. He’s even pitched two innings this season.

“Mick is an incredible athlete. He’s a five-tool player,” Herald said. “The guy can do everything. It’s been fun being teammates again. It’s strange seeing him and Colin (McKee) wearing different uniforms.”

Herald, Fennell (California) and former Butler High teammate McKee (Mercyhurst) play for rival PSAC schools during the collegiate season. McKee, a pitcher, joined the BlueSox late this season and has struck out six in five innings, sporting a 1.80 ERA.

Fennell said playing in the Prospect League has helped his game.

“I’d love to come back and play for the BlueSox again next year,” he said. “I’m hoping that works out.”

Herald will be a senior in college this fall and will not be eligible to play in the Prospect League next summer.

“I came back this summer because I wantyed one last hurrah at playing ball in my hometown, in this ballpark,” he admitted. “Next year will be tough for me.

“I’m hoping to come back as a coach with the team in some capacity. Either way, I’m getting my degree in education and I’ll be coaching somewhere down the road.”