Softball

Career Player

Feature on ASU softball outfielder.

Feb. 17, 1998

by Luanne Muller
Sports Information Student Assistanr

When Arizona State senior outfielder Erin Hull came to ASU, she had not planned on making a career out of softball, but she has.

In only three years, Hull, a co-captain, has already made it into the record books. She currently stands seventh in all-time career batting percentage with a .322 clip. She is also in second place with 39 career stolen bases.

In addition, Hull is tied for fourth in stolen bases in a single season (1996) with 25, and she is in fourth place with 72 hits in a single season (1996). Hull is also tied at 21st with a .343 single-season (1996) batting average.

This year, Hull wants to top the success and performances she has already had.

"I want to have the best year of my career this year," she said, "because it is my last one."

Now, Hull is ready to start playing - more ready than she has ever been - after having to sit last season out.

On June 6, 1996, Hull got in a horse-riding accident that kept her from playing softball in the summer. She broke both of her arms and had to have them both in a cast for four weeks. It took almost four months before she could start throwing again.

Just as her arms began to get better and the 1997 season was about to start, she got tendinitis in her achilles. She received a medical redshirt and sat out the whole season.

"It was hard not being able to play," she said. "Now, I am so pumped to play, though."

Being out a year allowed Hull to see softball from a different point of view.

"I learned so much being on the sideline," she said. "I got to see the players from a different perspective, and I learned the game from a coach's perspective. I got to see a lot more aspects than I have ever experinced before. I think that is going to help me a lot."

Hull hopes to be able to use that knowledge to get to the College World Series, which she has not been able to do in the three years she has played at ASU.

"We really want to go to the World Series," she said. "I think we have a really good chance to go this year. We have really strong team unity."

Before Hull came to ASU, she was a four-year softball letterwinner at William S. Hart High School in Newhall, Calif. Her senior year she batted .414 and did not get caught stealing in 23 attempts. Hull posted a .448 batting average with 25 stolen bases her junior year, and she had a .394 average with 20 stolen bases as a sophomore.

After this year, Hull plans to graduate with a degree in marketing, and will move back to California.

"I want to get a job in some type of ad agency in the entertainment industry," she said.

Hull will not continue on in softball except to play in summer leagues for fun.

Before she thinks about that, though, Hull is going to concentrate on this year and, hopefully, it will be the best of her career.