OXFORD, Ohio — Needless to say, John Crummy has made up for lost time.

After getting only five at-bats his freshman year with the Miami (Ohio) University baseball team, followed by a handful of appearances with the Butler BlueSox that summer, Crummy has rediscovered his batting stroke.

“It was hard that year,” the Butler graduate admitted. “I mean, you always want to play.

“I came back to school my sophomore year, had a good fall and got playing time in the spring.”

And he hasn’t stopped hitting since.

Crummy played in 49 games at Miami of Ohio last spring, hitting .305 with 28 RBI. He caught six runners attempting to steal during his 23 games as the Redhawks’ catcher.

Through May 5 of this season, Crummy was second on the team with a .357 batting average, has hit his first two collegiate home runs and has already matched his 28 RBI from last season.

“His power has improved and his body is maturing,” Miami coach Dan Simonds said. “(Professional baseball) people have taken notice of what he can do. He’s that caliber of player.”

The improved power numbers — Crummy has 10 doubles and a triple as well — have not come by accident.

“I’ve been getting stronger and I’ve changed my approach a bit,” the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Crummy said of his hitting. “I’ve been looking for pitches I can drive a lot more.

“When I’m ahead in the count, I’ll pick a spot on the plate and if the pitch is there, I go after it. I’m thinking double every time I step into the box.”

Yet this year has been a bit different for Crummy.

He caught two games early in the campaign when teammate and fellow catcher Nate Bowles was hurt. Besides that, Bowles (hitting .254) and Max Andresen (.209) have been sharing time behind the plate.

Crummy has been the Redhawks’ designated hitter all season.

“We’ve got the luxury of having three quality catchers on our roster,” Simonds said. “I know the value of that because I was a catcher when I played.

“John is a quality catcher, but so are the other two guys and I wanted our pitchers to get used to throwing to just two catchers. I figured I’d just turn John loose with the bat this spring and he’s simply taken off.”

While Crummy misses catching, he doesn’t miss the wear and tear on his knees.

“At this time last year, my knees were pretty sore and I was getting banged up,” he admitted. “You pay a price back there. Playing DH, I feel a lot more fresh.”

The Redhawks are 22-25 overall this season, 11-10 in the Mid-American Conference, and are headed to the MAC tournament in a couple of weeks.

Since Bowles is a senior, Crummy will rejoin the catching rotation next year.

“I’m fine with that,” Simonds said. “Like I said, John is a Division I catcher. Scouts know our situation here and they know he can play the position.

“He’s got a strong arm, blocks pitches in the dirt well and knows how to call a good game. He’s generating interest from scouts, no question.”

A sociology major, Crummy said his goals remain to be part of a MAC championship with Miami.

As far as refining his skills as a catcher?

“There’s always work to do there,” Crummy said. “I want to continue to get my power numbers up offensively and develop into the best all-around player I can be.

“From there, we’ll see what happens.”