It’s not easy to knock the right-handed pitcher out of a game. Opposing hitters continue to try. And the sport has tried, too. Twice.
»RELATED: Wednesday’s high school roundup
When Hoffman was 12 years old he lost at pop up in the sun while playing first base. The ball opened a gash above his right eye that required 12 stitches. Hoffman left his team’s semifinal tournament game to get the stitches, but returned to the field in time to pitch the final two innings and to close out the championship game victory. He still has 1 1/2-inch scar across his eyebrow.
As a sophomore, Hoffman was taking batting practice before the season opener. He attempted to bunt off the pitching machine but the ball slammed into his thumb on his right hand. His thumb was broken in three places but Hoffman still pitched and earned a save. Surgery kept him out the rest of the regular season, but Hoffman returned for the district final to again help close out the victory.
The Elks finally got a full season with the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Hoffman his junior year. He responded with a 9-1 record, 96 strikeouts and a 0.77 earned-run average in 63.1. The wins, strikeouts and innings pitched led the Greater Western Ohio Conference.
“Other than his stuff and velocity, it’s the way he commands the team and the mound,” Centerville coach Jason Whited said of what makes Hoffman so good. “It’s his demeanor. He’s unflappable. Everybody jokes around because he wears the clear Oakleys, but there’s a cool, kind of relaxed feel when he’s on the mound.”
The Oakley sunglasses have become Hoffman’s trademark look. He wears them for eye protection more than appearance. And when he’s wearing them he often makes a spectacle out of opposing hitters. His nine wins last season tied for third best all-time in Centerville history. His 96 strikeouts, which also ranked third, were the most Ks by an Elks pitcher since 1994.
“I wouldn’t say it puts pressure on me, but sometimes knowing people want to face me – it’s nice to know that,” Hoffman said. “It pushes me to work harder, too.”
Hoffman’s fastball was clocked at 92 mph in the offseason. He also has a curve and a change-up and is working on his slider.
“(The fastball) surprised me a little bit,” Hoffman said, “but I really hit the weight room hard this offseason.”
Hoffman signed to play his college baseball with the Clemson Tigers, currently ranked No. 24 in the nation by Baseball America. But first is one more season with the Elks and the close-knit group of seniors that also includes University of Cincinnati recruit Morgan Colopy (.462 average, 5 HR, 16 extra-base hits, 22 runs, 27 RBI), Shea Hendrixson (.295; 3-1, 27 K’s, 2.54 ERA), Sterling Hill (.321), Thomas Jenkins (.353, 22 RBI), Jared Lieberman (.375, 17 runs, 12 stolen bases; 4-3, 34 K’s, 2.26 ERA), Kyle Moyer (.288), Drew Smith (.297) and Connor Walch (.286; 1-3, 3.82 ERA).
“We’ve got a lot of good seniors coming back. We’ve played together for a long time and we want to enjoy the time with each other,” Hoffman said. “We’ve had a group chat since freshman year and we still text in it every day. Just the seniors about life, friends, hanging out and general baseball stuff. We grew up together playing baseball.
“Anybody on the team can lead, too. Everybody has their own special piece to this team.”
Centerville shared the GWOC National East division title with Beavercreek last season and reached the Division I regional semifinals for the second straight year, with both games ending in one-run losses. The Elks goal is to reach the regional final this time around.
“We just want to play our best game last. A state championship would be cool and all that, but honestly we want to get farther than we have the past two years and that’s the regional semifinals,” Hoffman said.
“There’s nothing better to do than go watch a baseball game or even play baseball.”
10 Players to Watch
Jacob Adams, senior, Troy: Hit .383 with 21 runs, five doubles, 19 RBI and 10 stolen bases.
Morgan Colopy, senior, Centerville: University of Cincinnati recruit hit .389 with 7 triples, 5 homers and 27 RBI to lead the Elks in addition to 22 runs; led GWOC in homers and tied for lead in RBI.
Tyler Kean, senior, Springboro: Ohio State recruit .356 and scored 26 runs along with a team-leading and co-GWOC leading 27 RBI, nine doubles and 13 extra-base hits. Went 8-1 on the mound with 52 strikeouts and 2.43 ERA in 46 innings pitched.
Kahlil Lettice, senior, Fairborn: Led Skyhawks with .464 average and GWOC-leading 12 doubles; added 17 runs and 17 RBI.
Tommy Lunne, senior, Oakwood: Hit .468 with 34 runs, seven doubles and 20 RBI for Lumberjacks.
Jared Middendorf, senior, Fort Loramie: Went 7-2 with 2.75 ERA and 55 strikeouts off mound for defending D-IV state champs; added .381 average and 20 RBI.
Brady Stone, senior, Waynesville: Hit .269 with 11 runs; tied for team lead for wins with 4-2 record, had two saves, 1.06 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 59.2 innings pitched.
Nick Wissman, senior, Chaminade Julienne: Batted .301 with 20 runs, 23 RBI and 16 stolen bases; went 7-1 with 61 strikeouts and 1.23 ERA in 45.2 innings pitched for D-II defending state champs.
Jon Yerkins, senior, Miamisburg: Led the Vikings with .525 average, 31 runs, 9 triples, 19 RBI and 16 stolen bases.
Ian Yunker, senior, Tippecanoe: Recorded 6-1 record, one save and 1.56 ERA on mound with 57 strikeouts in 40.1 innings pitched.
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