Geneva's mashers set new home run record

It has been referred to as a tater, big fly, long ball, round-tripper, blast, bomb, shot, wallop, dinger, four-bagger, clout, goner, gopher ball, jack, swat, complete circuit, going deep and going yard.

Whatever you want to call it, there's no more exciting play in baseball than the home run.

That is, unless you're a pitcher.

While home run numbers are down somewhat from a year ago around the area, one local team isn't having any problems belting balls out of high school parks this spring.

Meet the Geneva Mashers, I mean, Vikings.

When Kevin Massoth smacked his second home run of the season during the Vikings' clash with Sycamore Wednesday afternoon, it marked a team milestone of sorts.

Although the defending Western Sun Conference champion Vikings went on to drop an 8-5 decision to the newly crowned conference champion Spartans, they did establish a new school record for single-season home runs -- 36.

Considering the Vikings own an 18-9 record, it means that Geneva fans have a better-than-average opportunity to see a home run hit every time they take their seats at the ballpark.

Thanks in large part to sluggers Cory Hofstetter and Dan Rowe, who have combined for half of the team's home runs (18), the Vikings average 1.4 long balls per game.

"I think power is contagious," said Geneva coach Matt Hahn. "We've got some guys who have an ongoing competition between each other."

During their recent 3-game series with Glenbard South, the Vikings posted some staggering power numbers -- belting 11 home runs.

Hofstetter, a 6-foot, 4-inch, 240-pound behemoth of a high school junior, leads the way with 11 home runs, just 1 shy of tying the Vikings' single-season mark of 12 set by Nick Herrera, while the left-handed hitting Rowe has 7.

Add Ryan Adams (5), Justin Doty (5) and Ryan Payne (4) to the mix, and you begin to understand why five different Geneva players rank among the area's top seven home run hitters this season.

Perhaps the Vikings' smallish ballpark dimensions also play a part, but Hahn feels there are other reasons behind the sudden power surge.

"Some people think our ballpark is small, which is fine," said Hahn, "but we've hit our share of home runs on the road, too. We've got a lot of guys who are very confident at the plate.

"Another big part is that I believe the strike zone is getting smaller. The above-the-belt pitch is no longer a strike. When I played 16 years ago, pitches at the belly button or letters were often called strikes. That isn't the case now."

And there are other contributing factors, including technology with the improved composite aluminum bats.

"Guys are more dedicated today," said Hahn. "They're lifting weights, something that was considered taboo back when I was playing. Because of that, guys are bigger and stronger than they used to be."

Guys like Hofstetter, Batavia's Jordan Coffey, Brian Krolikowski, Shane Holl, Mike Sentman, St. Charles East's Mike Hoscheit, Kaneland's Joe Gura and St. Charles North's Matt Stevens.

"I've always been a power hitter," said Hofstetter, who couldn't recall a time when he wasn't batting in the 3 or 4 hole since eighth grade. "I've always been bigger than everybody else."

When Hofstetter connects, you better take cover in the bleachers -- or if you're passing by along Gray Street.

"He doesn't hit many cheap home runs," said Hahn.

"Most of the time when I hit it, I know it's gone," said Hofstetter. "It's a good feeling -- it's indescribable."

At St. Charles East, home runs don't come easily -- mostly due to the layout of Ron Carlson Field.

As temperatures begin to rise and prevailing winds gust from the south, they blow in from left-center, turning the Saints' ballpark into a pitcher's delight.

"Our place is definitely a difficult one to hit home runs," said Saints coach Mark Foulkes. "The wind blows in a majority of the time. You definitely see some balls stay in our place that would be home runs at others."

Former all-stater Jim Caine holds the Saints' single-season home run standard with 12. Hoscheit, this year's team leader, has 7.

"I think it's very impressive because teams have not given him a lot to hit this year," said Foulkes, who added that Hoscheit has drawn a team-high 27 walks. "That is what makes his numbers so impressive.

"I think he's one of the top players in the area this year and should get some All-State consideration for what he has done."

Home runs aren't everything, however.

Heading into this week's action, just two St. Charles North players -- Stevens (3) and Danny Jimenez (2) -- had hit multiple home runs.

And the North Stars own an area-best 22-8 record.