TEUTOPOLIS — How about Chloe Hoene?
This past season was a fantastic one for the senior-to-be, both at the plate and behind it.
The starting catcher on the Teutopolis softball team, Hoene batted .478 with a .533 on-base percentage and an .822 slugging percentage.
It was all confidence for her.
“Going from sophomore season to my junior season, I gained so much confidence. I worked a lot in the offseason on my hitting and catching, which led me to be more confident at the plate and behind it,” she said. “I’m very pleased with the season I had. I still have room to improve, though, and am going to continue to work hard in the offseason to be able to produce for my team next year.
“I’m very excited.”
Head coach Crystal Tipton knows she has a steady hand behind the plate — someone she can count on.
“From a catching standpoint, Chloe didn’t suddenly take a huge leap this year because she’s been a steady, dependable catcher behind the plate for us over the past two seasons,” Tipton said. “She does an outstanding job of keeping our pitchers focused and confident and she gives everything she has to catch or block every ball within her reach. Her toughness and consistency behind the plate have always been a strength.”
Tipton was truly impressed with Hoene’s approach in the batter’s box more than anything.
Batting behind Malea Helmink, Hoene proved to be a lethal cleanup hitter.
“The biggest improvement I saw this season was at the plate. Chloe became a huge offensive threat for us,” Tipton said. “She came through in big moments when we needed her most and was one of our most consistent hitters throughout the year.
“She drove the ball to all fields, had quality at-bats and was a very tough out for opposing pitchers.”
Tipton continued by addressing how Hoene really figured everything out during the middle of the season.
Once she was on a roll, she was someone you had to pitch to wisely.
“By the end of the year, she knew she could compete with anyone and had become one of the bats we counted on. She put together quality at-bats all season and was someone we wanted at the plate in big situations.”
There is no other position for Hoene.
Being a backstop is where she feels at ease.
“I love being a catcher because I can see the whole field and know what’s going on,” she said. “I really enjoy the excitement and action that I get behind the plate, as well as celebrating great pitches. As a catcher, I focus really hard on keeping everything in front of me, which comes with repetitive practice.”
Tipton added that the pitching staff also enjoys having someone with a calm demeanor behind the plate.
That trust is crucial and Hoene has it with her pitchers.
“They know she’s going to do everything she can to block every pitch, get up quickly to make a throw and constantly encourage them throughout the game,” Tipton said. “She brings a calm, confident presence behind the plate and that has a big impact on our entire pitching staff.
“She’s become someone I really trust to help manage a game behind the plate and that’s a huge asset as a coach.”