BlueClaws' Hockenberry turns his fortunes around

LAKEWOOD, N.J. - There were times last season when Matt Hockenberry said he would look into the dugout and wonder if his manager would be taking him out. The former Temple ace struggled in his first season with single-A Lakewood.

"I would go out there and get maybe one or two outs," Hockenberry said. "Then when it would rain, it would pour. Guys would be running around the bases and I'd just be standing there."

The righthander pitched last season as a reliever with a starter's mind-set. The results showed. He allowed 14 earned runs in 132/3 innings with Lakewood. That has changed this season. He has blossomed after being named the BlueClaws' closer following a strong spring training.

Hockenberry converted all six of his save opportunities before he was placed on the disabled list May 18 with a right elbow strain. He allowed just one run in 16 innings. He struck out 14 batters and walked four.

The righthander said he is taking his injury "day by day." His elbow does not hurt when he pitches, but sometimes it becomes irritated during periods of rest.

Hockenberry, 23, is one of a handful of former Temple players who is still competing. The university cut the baseball program after his senior season. The Phillies drafted him in the ninth round last June, making him the final Owls player to be drafted.

"It's 87 years of history and I'm one of the last ones that's able to carry on that legacy," Hockenberry said. "Temple made me learn a lot of things. How to make adjustments. How to be coachable. How to never give up. They cut our program. We pulled together and didn't give up."

Lakewood pitching coach Aaron Fultz told Hockenberry during spring training that he would be the team's closer if he was assigned to the BlueClaws. Hockenberry said Fultz, a former reliever with the Phillies, has been vital to his transition to the bullpen.

"He just makes you think about why you did that compared to this," Hockenberry said. "He never really has the right or wrong answer. He just makes you think about what you're doing on the mound."

Fultz, 41, was Hockenberry's pitching coach last season in short-season Williamsport. One of the first things he asked the pitcher for was a bullpen sign. There are no phones in the minors. Coaches gives signals to the bullpen to tell a pitcher to warm up.

Hockenberry picked "Superman." Fultz will act like he's ripping the buttons off his shirt when it's time for the Lakewood closer to get ready. Instead of waiting to be pulled from a game, Hockenberry is waiting this season for his signal to enter.

"It fits the role that I'm in," Hockenberry said. "I'm coming in to save the day."

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Hometown:

Hanover, Pa.

High School:

South Western

Notable: He was the highest Temple player selected in the draft (ninth round) since Boston selected Todd Miller in the seventh round in 1990. . . . He went 5-6 with a 3.18 ERA as a senior. . . . He is tied for first at Temple in career pitching starts (46), is seventh in innings pitched (2802/3), and ninth in strikeouts (209).

- Matt Breen

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@matt_breen