Solid Fielder

Although his hitting is what got him into the everyday line-up-in particular a home run in his first collegiate at-bat against Northern Iowa-Hochanadel is no slouch in the field.

He considers his natural position shortstop, though he saw early season action at third base and leftfield for the Crimson. Hochanadel settled in at first base before the eighth game of the season and has been there ever since.

"Moving to first base was not a big adjustment fielding-wise," Hochanaldel said. "I had to worry most about things that shortstops don't do, like my footwark around the bag, making the stretch and getting balls in the dirt."

"Mike is an athlete," Giardi said. "He can play third base. He can play outfield. He can play first base. With experience, he could probably play shortstop, too. He is easing into his position at first base. Give him two years and he will a really good defensive first baseman."

Even with almost three quarters of the season left, the honors are already starting to roll in. Last week, Hochanadel was named to the Ivy Honor Roll. In some circles, Hochanadel's name is being tossed around as a potential Ivy League Baseball Rookie of the Year.

Still, Hochanadel remains humble. After all, he is only a freshman.

"I recognize that I have to keep improving," Hochanadel emphasized. "You cannot stay at the status quo because you just get left behind. Everyone is always getting better. If you're not getting better, you're getting worse."