In roughly 13 years as a full-fledged member in NCAA Division-III, Piedmont hasn’t seen much of the likes of freshman Hannah Hoban.
The first baseman from Phoenix, AZ has had a phenomenal season to say the least. Through just 31 games of her collegiate career, she’s smashed seven homeruns, good enough to tie the school record for single-season homers in the NCAA-era, which dates back to 2003.
She entered the Lady Lions’ March 24 contest at Mary Baldwin College with four round-trippers to her credit on the season. She notched a solo homer in the first inning of game one of the double-header. In the fourth frame, she added a grand slam, giving her both her first collegiate grand slam and her first multi-homer game.
Following the opening 12-1 victory, Hoban did more damage in the finale, adding her third homerun of the day in a 9-0 Piedmont win.
Her seven homeruns are tied with former Lady Lions Emily Cheek’s seven in 2011, and Michelle Crandall’s seven in 2010. Interestingly enough, both of those girls and current Lady Lion Abby Smith (10 homers) are the only ones above Hoban in career homeruns. Cheek’s 16 still stands as the club career mark, while Crandall’s 13 is close behind.
At this rate, Hoban could pass up all of the above before her junior season. Hoban had a phenomenal senior year at Mountain Pointe High School in Arizona last year, batting .527 with 9 homers and 43 RBI. Her junior year, according to MaxPreps, was almost identical (.521-9-45). However, Hoban spent most of her prep career behind the plate as a catcher, but had some time at first base as well.
Her power took time to develop, as she hit .415 with 16 RBI her freshman year of high school, but didn’t tally a homerun. In her collegiate freshman year, Hoban is currently batting .380 with the 7 homeruns and 28 RBI, adding a team-high 10 doubles.
