Most power hitters are a bit short of being speed demons.
Oak Forest’s Imani Hogan made it a humorous point of emphasis during a recent road game.
After legging out a triple, and after a few huffs and puffs …
“I said, ‘I really need a fence,’” Hogan said, smiling. “If there was a fence there, it would have been over and I wouldn’t have been so tired.”
The junior catcher was full of energy on the bases Wednesday for the host Bengals during an 8-0 victory over visiting Richards in a South Suburban Conference crossover game.
Hogan went 3-for-4 for the Bengals (9-3, 5-2 SSC Blue). Keira Clancy and Mia Delisi both hit home runs, while Melanie Andrysiak struck out 15 en route to the pitching win.
Olivia Coglianese doubled for Richards (8-4, 4-2 SSC Red). Violet McIntyre added a single.
Hogan is making the most of her first varsity season. Her three hits against Richards boosted her average to .425. She has four home runs and 12 RBIs. Her biggest day came April 13 against St. Ignatius at the Evergreen Park Showcase, going 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.
Hogan also has solidified her role as the No. 1 catcher — and as ace pitcher Andrysiak’s favorite batterymate.
Oak Forest’s Imani Hogan stretches to make contact against Richards during a South Suburban Conference crossover game in Oak Forest on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“It did take me a second to get used to Imani’s catching, especially since we hadn’t spoken to each other until this season,” Andrysiak said. “But now I feel we’re pretty close.
“She knows how my pitches move, although sometimes I don’t hit the spot. I think… I hope… she’ll get used to my wild pitches.”
Hogan began playing softball at age 7. Her introduction to catching came more or less on a lark.
“I remember one day we were playing a team that wasn’t very good,” Hogan said. “Our coach asked me where I wanted to go. I said I wanted to catch and just did it for fun.”
And it was fun. Until it wasn’t.
“I think in that same game I ended up being hit in the elbow with a bat,” Hogan said, laughing. “But my coach said I did really well, so I stayed with it.”
Oak Forest’s Imani Hogan frames a pitch against Richards during a South Suburban Conference crossover game in Oak Forest on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Hogan started playing basketball when she enrolled at Oak Forest. She was a starter at forward this past season. Hogan and Clancy are also teammates for the Bengals in basketball.
“Imani is the best,” Clancy said. “I have so much love for her. She is free, she’s always ready to play, and she always brings life to the team.
“She always has some encouraging words. And she’s always happy. She never gets down. I’ve never seen her super upset after she makes a mistake. It’s very uplifting to the other teammates.”
It was a definite selling point when Oak Forest coach Nick Fuentes gave her the starting role behind the plate.
“You could just tell from her personality that she kind of takes control,” Fuentes said. “She has a good way of working with pitchers. She knows how to calm them down.
“She even knows how to calm me down when I’m losing my cool.”
Oak Forest’s Imani Hogan looks up after connecting against Richards during a South Suburban Conference crossover game in Oak Forest on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
The home runs have been a bonus.
“Yeah, right out the gate, she came out and started hitting,” Fuentes said. “I mean, we knew she had some power. But she has a great approach. She’s confident. I’m really happy with what she’s done.”
And her defense? You’ve got to love the effort.
On one bunt attempt by Richards, Hogan did a full layout into foul territory to try and catch the ball. It would have been an ESPN-worthy play. She came up just short, but was celebrated by her teammates anyway.
“It hurt my wrist a little bit,” Hogan said, smiling. “But hey, I gave it 100%.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
