Archives: Student-Athlete Spotlight

While the NCAA Division II season may come to an end in late May, California Baptist University baseball’s year doesn’t come to a close until mid-June after the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

CBU has served as a reliable pipeline to the MLB over the years, and produced a top-10 round talent for the second year in a row when junior right-handed pitcher Adam Hofacket was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 10^th round at 315 overall Tuesday.

In all, the Lancers have had 26 players drafted over the past 34 years, with Gary Adcock having 15 of his players drafted over his 12 years coaching CBU. At least one Lancer has been selected in the MLB Draft in each of the last six years, with a program-high four coming in 2011.

There are currently three active Lancers in the minor leagues: Caleb Dirks, Trevor Oaks and Sharif Othman. If Hofacket does not return to CBU for his senior season, he will go down as the owner of the second-lowest earned run average in program history. His 2.66 career ERA only takes a backseat to Oaks’ 1.86 ERA from 2014.

It gives Hofacket the lowest ERA of any Lancers multi-year pitcher, as Oaks was at CBU for one season before being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round at 219 overall last year.

Hofacket, a Corona native, is a two-time All-PacWest and All-West Region pitcher. He also ranks fifth in career strikeouts (198), innings pitched (253.2) and seventh in wins (19) and complete games (7) in the CBU record books.

Senior and first base starter, Sloan McHann from Modesto, Calif., became a Lancer in 2010. As a four-year varsity softball player at Modesto Christian High School, McHann earned numerous accolades including All-State recognition as a junior and senior, three-time All-Trans Valley League selection and was named Most Valuable Player three years in a row. The level of performance and outstanding talent McHann showed during her high school career earned her notice and scholarship offers from Division I programs all across the nation. CBU had thrown their name in the hat and heavily pursued McHann with high hopes to have her compete as a Lancer. Though scheduled to play in a recruiting showcase in San Diego, plans changed when the exhibition was cancelled due to wildfires. This gave McHann the opportunity to visit the CBU campus and meet with the coaching staff. She said she had an instant feeling of being at home while on campus and admired the Christian values, coaching staff and the level of play in the softball program.

“My dad guided me to choose a Christian college and to look at the big picture and life after college.” said McHann.

Having completed her fourth year at CBU, McHann has no regret in her decision to compete as a Lancer. She has continuously been an impact player for the Lancers. During her sophomore year, she started 70 games, was named to the All-GSAC team and NAIA All-Tournament team and, in her junior year, she led the team with 183 at bats and named to the All-PacWest second team. McHann continued to work hard to improve her career records as a senior. McHann was a stalwart at first base for CBU all year, starting 47 of the Lancers’ 49 games. The senior was second on the team with a .373 batting average, driving in 32 runs and hitting eight homers. She also had a team high of three triples this season and her eight homers were second for CBU.

McHann said a big part of her success has come from her “genuine coaches.” Personally, McHann said she strives to “focus on short-term goals that will turn into long-term success.”  Throughout McHann’s softball career, she said she has valued the opportunity of being an example of Christ through competition. McHann said she feels it is crucial for freshmen athletes to earn respect from teammates and she believes “every upperclassman should mentor new athletes just as they have done for me.”

McHann said she appreciates and greatly respects all of the individuals who have supported CBU Athletics. “I have a great appreciation for the softball field lights and the nice equipment.” McHann said.  “These things make a huge difference and create an amazing atmosphere to compete in.”

 Showing great pride in being a part of the Lancer softball legacy, McHann said she vows to always be involved in helping the softball program at CBU continue to succeed. The athlete said she looks forward to providing moral support to incoming athletes.

McHann recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. Her goal is to become a registered dietician and to complete a master’s program.

With plans to use her experience as a competitive athlete throughout her life, she stated, “I have a passion to show people the effect of eating healthy and exercising properly.” 

McHann said she hopes to work with collegiate athletes to teach them about nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Once McHann has established her career, she said she has every intention of financially supporting the CBU Softball Program. McHann said she hopes to help pave the way for young athletes to have the amazing experience that she has been blessed with during her time at CBU.