Hodgson Now At Top Of La Salle Softball HR List
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – After waiting all off-season long to make history, La Salle University senior utility player Megan Hodgson needed just three games to get it done here in 2014.
Hodgson had tied the La Salle career home run record at the end of the 2013 campaign when she hit her 18th. Then after the Explorers got shut out in their first two games this season, Hodgson connected for a two-run blast in the 6th inning of game #3, at Norfolk State, on February 23rd.
"I was really excited, " Hodgson tells KYW Newsradio. "Very nervous, that's for sure. But it's an honor."
The long ball against Norfolk State helped break a game open that La Salle eventually won 12-0. It also moved her out of that tie with former Explorers Cecilia Campbell and Mary McGrath for the top spot on La Salle's all-time home run list with 19.
"It actually wasn't the typical home run that I normally hit," Hodgson says. "Normally when I hit a home run, the ball rises as it's going out. But this one was more like, it got to its highest point and it was coming down in a hurry. I was a little nervous. It felt good off the bat, but the balls that we were playing with seemed like they were kind of dead, so I was nervous when I hit it. But it was a relief, I could tell right off the bat."
Megan Hodgson Interview
This record is just the latest highlight in an outstanding career for Hodgson. She actually set La Salle's single-season home run mark in 2013 with 10, while hitting .293. Despite her individual success, the Owen J. Roberts High School product says she is just one part of a special group.
"I don't think I would be where I am at without all of the support I've had throughout my life," Hodgson says. "Especially, this is my fourth year being here, my team has been a huge support. Every time I hit a home run they are always there cheering me on and my coaches been nothing but a huge support to me, always helping me if I have an issue with my swing, always correcting it. I can go to either my team or any of my coaches for help."
While she has virtually her entire senior season still to go, Hodgson realizes that the clock is ticking on her career.
"I think I started thinking about that my last game of my junior year," Hodgson says. "Kind of weird to think that this is going to be my last year ever playing softball at this competitive level."
Hodgson and the Explorers will return to the diamond on Monday when they take on Niagara down in Winter Haven, Florida.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
