Richard Benoit, Sr.
June 18, 2007
Felicia Ramos
June 20, 2007
Dani Hofer brought the heat.
And as a result, the LSU softball team was red hot in 2007
The sophomore pitcher posted a 23-2 record and 1.27 ERA en route to leading the Lady Tigers to a 55-12 record.
Her 234 strikeouts also helped earn her the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Pitcher of the Year award.
The Sports Net caught up with Hofer last week to talk about the game she has always loved.
Sports Net: What it feel like to be named Pitcher of the Year by the LSWA?
Dani Hofer: I am very honored to receive that award. Honestly, I didn’t expect it at all. It’s great to be rewarded like that when you have been working really hard.
SN: You have reaped a lot of awards so far. Is this just another one for the collection?
DH: Being named Pitcher of the Year definitely tops a lot of my awards.
I feel very honored to be nominated.
SN: Let’s hit the rewind button and go back to the early days of your softball career. How did you first come to the sport?
DH: My older sister (Dana) used to play softball, and she was a pitcher. I wanted to play softball and would watch her play, so I could learn how she did it.
When I was about 6 year old, I would pitch to my grandpa to prove to my dad I could play.
SN: Were you a natural right away, or did it take time?
DH: I was pretty much a natural. I started throwing strikes the first time I started pitching. The wind-up was always pretty natural for me, but some of the movements take a lot of work.
SN: Around what time did you notice that you were brining something special to the diamond?
DH: I would say right around the time I was 14 and playing in an 18-and-under league. I was throwing really well, and that’s around the time I noticed that I could get something out of the sport if I worked hard.
SN: Could you throw harder than the boys back in those days?
DH: If I had to pitch to a baseball player back then, I think that I’d be able to get ball past them, because it (a softball pitch) is so different from what they are used to seeing.
Back in high school, a lot of baseball players would tell me they’d step into the box, but they’d always back out. I don’t think they’d want to strike out after so much talk.
SN: Speaking of high school, you came to college from Florida.
Was it a big transition coming to Louisiana?
DH: It’s very different. I liked going to the beach in Florida – I really miss it. But the weather is nice in both places.
It’s always sunny and warm here, and I wanted to go somewhere where it’s always sunny and warm.
SN: So why did you choose LSU?
DH: When I came over during high school, I just fell in love with the campus, coaches and players.
I didn’t want to go anywhere else
SN: Softball players, like baseball players, are a pretty superstitious group. Have any weird superstitions you’d care to share?
DH: If i’m throwing no-hitter, I don’t want anyone to bring it up.
You don’t want to jinx that.
In terms of superstition, I don’t wear a special headband or step over chalk lines, but I try to watch what I say.
SN: Now that you’re done with the softball season, what will you do to unwind this summer?
DH: I’ll be working at a softball camp (at LSU) and, right now, I’m taking summer school classes.
SN: School doesn’t seem to be a good way to unwind. Any vacation plans?
DH: I was able to go to North Carolina for a week and I would really like to fly out to see (teammates) Sharon Stein and Andrea Smith. They really want me to come visit.
SN: For the second consecutive year, LSU finished its seasons ranked No. 10 by an ESPN/USA softball poll. Think the team could eclipse this ranking in 2008?
DH: I think we could keep it up. We lost some really good players, but the girls we’re bringing in and the girls we already have could fill the holes we’ll have next year. We’ll be able to maintain that ranking or maybe even push it a little higher.
SN: Have any plans to keep playing softball after college ends?
DH: If a professional team wants to talk to me, I’ll definitely think about it.
Photo by DOUG KEESE
- NSU Dani Hofer unleashes a powerful pitch for the Lady Tigers.
