Crossword Genius

One may hit it sleepily (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hay

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

This could be a double definition.

'one may hit' is the first definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'it sleepily' is the second definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hay that I've seen before include "Dried mown grass" , "Straw" , "It is to be made while the sun shines" , "Make . . . while the sun shines" , "Dried grass as fodder" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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