Jeff Chaney
Sports Scene
Heather Pollick isn’t frustrated that she’s not making as many home run trots this year.
The season is still young, and the Swan Valley senior left fielder/first baseman keeps swinging away.
Last year, Pollick helped the Vikings to a 39-3 record and a Division 2 state semifinal appearance by clubbing a state-high 16 home runs.
This year, Pollick has just one home run, but seven other hits were close – three doubles that hit off the top of the fence and four fouls that were close to sneaking around the foul pole.
“I’m in a slump right now, but it will only get better because it’s the beginning of the season,” Pollick said. “I’m not really frustrated; I’ve learned to shake off my bad games. I’ve been close.”
Pollick has noticed that opposing pitchers have taken a different approach with her. “I feel like pitchers know me better because their coaches research me,” Pollick said. “But that doesn’t bother me; I know what I need to work on. I need to work on staying a little more disciplined, waiting for the right pitch and taking it.”
Coach Tom Kennelly is confident that his star slugger will clear the fence more as the season moves on.
“She has one this year, but a couple things – we are playing a more competitive schedule this year, so she’s facing tougher pitchers,” Kennelly said. “And she’s probably had four fouls that were close and three hard doubles, so she’s hit the ball hard. And she’s also walked seven times in 23 at bats, so pitchers are being careful with her.”
The good news for Pollick, Kennelly, and the Vikings is that the team is 9-0.
“Our team is doing wonderful,” Pollick said. “Right now everyone throughout the lineup is doing good. And our pitchers are doing great.”
Kennelly is also happy with the team’s play.
“We are playing pretty well,” Kennelly said. On April 14 ” we beat Clinton 2-0, and they are returning state champs in Division 3. So team-wise, everything is going well. Can we hit better, yeah we can. But we have quite a few returning players, and some may be pressing.”
Pollick says she is trying not to press to hit home runs.
“My goal this year was not to beat my home run record,” Pollick said. “It was to hit more line drives and get on base more. I am doing that. I’m getting more hard hits in the gaps.”
Her goals are bigger this year. “I definitely want to make it back to Battle Creek [and the state finals,]” Pollick said. “We want to take one further step to the state finals. To make it to that last game would be great, and then see what happens.”