Clearview's Elaina Hansen excels at softball
All that Elaina Hansen cares about is making contact at the plate and putting the ball in play. Home runs are secondary for the Clearview junior, even though her 15 career homers are the most in program history.
All that Elaina Hansen cares about is making contact at the plate and putting the ball in play.
Home runs are secondary for the Clearview junior, even though her 15 career homers are the most in program history.
"She is very humble and doesn't like to brag," Clearview coach Deana Moore said. "She is an honest player and just very fun to be around."
Hansen takes softball very seriously, wanting to improve each year. When she first played softball at Clearview, her backhand required further practice. Through tedious effort, she enhanced her fielding skills.
"I work hard and am very determined," Hansen said. "I set goals for myself and do my best throughout the season."
Hansen's tireless effort proves to be very beneficial, especially when it comes to plate performance.
During Hansen's freshman season in 2015, she produced a .410 batting average. As a sophomore, the third base phenom improved significantly by hitting .545.
"The batting average will hopefully stay there," Moore said. "She is a very good hitter who works on perfecting her swing on a consistent basis."
Hansen, who hit nine doubles and drove in 39 runs as a sophomore, has a very optimistic outlook on life. Her teammates look up to her for that.
That optimism is why Hansen, a 2016 first-team all-South Jersey selection, is confident her batting average will be the same, if not better, this season.
"I will be pretty disappointed in myself if I don't do as well as last year," Hansen said. "I always try to do better each year, so I'm just going to keep working hard."
Hansen is batting .472 for her career with 12 doubles and 62 RBIs headed into her third season. She is in great position to be one of South Jersey's top players, if she is not on that list already.
"Any coach would hope she would have that success again," Moore said. "She just has a passion for the sport who tends to have a lot of fun out there."
Hansen expects to have a great junior season because of the way she performs on the field, both offensively and defensively.
"I usually have a big bat at the plate," Hansen said. "I need to focus on what I want to accomplish this year and just keep pushing forward."
Moore said the Pioneers are going to do well this year. The entire Clearview team is just trying to get better with each practice before the season starts.
But when asked if not having Hansen would affect the team, Moore was quick to respond.
"I am a firm believer that everyone is replaceable," Moore said. "But because of her leadership and how positive she is, it might be different because you would lack that in other people."
Hansen credits much of her success to her parents, saying they are her main motivators.
"They push me through every part of the way," Hansen said. "If they know I can do better, they will tell me straight up. They drive me to do my best."
Moore is very proud to have a modest and hardworking person like Hansen on the team.
"Anywhere she goes she is an asset because of her positive attitude," Moore said. "She sets a good example."