Eastview pitcher Kerrigan Hoshaw hopes to interrogate criminals the same way she faces opposing batters: by disguising her true feelings to keep foes guessing at what’s coming next.
“You have to hide every emotion (as a pitcher),” she said. “Even as a cop, you have to hide it, you can’t show any emotions.”
Keeping her feelings locked away has served Hoshaw well, and if her recent run on the diamond is any indication, criminals should fear facing this future criminologist.
Hoshaw won her eighth game of the season on Wednesday with another strong pitching performance. The senior struck out nine batters and allowed three hits in throwing a complete-game shutout on the road versus South Suburban Conference rival Lakeville North.
The Lightning extended their winning streak to four games with the 7-0 victory.
Hoshaw quickly solved any problems presented by the Panthers' lineup and did so with little emotion.
“She’s not going to do any silly hand signs out there and she’s not going to do a moonwalk when she strikes someone out,” Eastview coach Trevor Monroe said. “She is going to run off the field and prepare to hit. And when it’s her turn to pitch again, she’s going to run back on. That’s just how she operates.”
While the right-hander may not be flashy on the field, she plans to one day capture criminals - possibly with the help of the flashing lights on a law enforcement vehicle.
After graduating from Eastview, Hoshaw will attend the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) and pursue a degree that can help her become an FBI agent.
Until then, she’ll continue being the strong arm for the Lightning.
Hoshaw is 8-3 with six shutouts and has more than 70 strikeouts this season, cementing her role as Eastview’s ace pitcher.
Monroe said Hoshaw’s ability to control her pitches is one reason for the improvement on a junior season in which she was 7-5 overall and had a 1.24 ERA. She also recorded 135 strikeouts and held opponents to a .189 batting average.
Her performance earned her plenty of honors, including all-conference and all-section and being named to the Class 3A All-State Second Team by the Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches' Association.
She also earned three academic letters.
Despite the recognition, Hoshaw wasn’t satisfied with her game and said she spent the offseason working on her pitches.
“Going from last year, losing one-run games, to this year where I have been getting a lot of shutouts, it proves I have worked hard over the winter and the last year,” Hoshaw said.
Monroe also said Hoshaw’s effort is paying off.
“My dad owned and trained thoroughbred racehorses for 20 years and he said, ‘If you can train a horse, you can train an athlete,’” Monroe said. “She’s our thoroughbred.”
While she has the physical talent, Hoshaw also has the mindset to succeed and she showed it on Wednesday.
When Lakeville North started to gain momentum at the plate in the middle innings, a self-assured Hoshaw stayed in control and stifled the Panthers’ momentum. She said learned to be confident in the circle as a child.
“When I was younger, I always believed in myself,” she said. “I just finished believing in myself and as a little girl, remembering where I wanted to be.”
Not only does Hoshaw have confidence in herself, but also in her teammates. It’s a belief built on years of familiarity.
Hoshaw and some of her Lightning teammates have played together for more than 10 years, and she participated in summer softball with six girls from Eastview. This bond allows for Hoshaw to hold a high amount of trust that her teammates can help make up for any mistakes.
“Having them behind me all the time is always something positive,” Hoshaw said. “I’m always happy to go out on the field and have them cheering me on knowing that they’re behind me and they can field the ball if I let one go.”
With her time wearing an Lightning uniform fading fast, Hoshaw said she plans to make the most of every pitch and continue to keep her emotions in check - something she’ll need in law enforcement.
“I worked so hard to get here, so shutting the door is so much easier for me because I’m like, “No, you can’t have it. This is my time to shine; this is my senior year.”
