A rejuvenated Homestead boys basketball team bounced back in the second half to clinch the outright NHC title and remain undefeated with a 65-55 win against Columbia City on Tuesday.The Class 4A No.Sometimes, it may be Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite.”
Another, maybe “Teach Me How to Jerk” by Audio Push.
Any song from Andrea Filler’s warmup CD – or even one that’s being sung in the dugout by Bishop Dwenger teammate Maureen Denihan – could get stuck in Filler’s head. And those are what occupy her mind when she’s at the plate.
She doesn’t think about the mechanics of her swing or situations.
She sings the song, watches the pitcher’s hip and goes from there.
That approach – and being athletically gifted – has helped Filler, a junior, become the state’s best hitter.
Through the Saints’ regional championship Tuesday, Filler is hitting .699. That’s the best average in the state, according to digitalsports.com.
“It’s like a big deal for me. I’m really proud of that,” Filler said. “But I also don’t want to take it into the game and thinking about, ‘Oh, if I don’t get this hit, my batting average is going to go down.’
“I just have to keep doing what I do.”
Filler can hit for power – her nine home runs were tied for second in the state in the most recent rankings. She can hit to the gaps – she has 16 doubles (fourth in state) and 10 triples (second).
She generates runs from the clean-up spot – 47 runs (second) and 53 RBI (third).
Filler likely will be a first-team all-state selection.
Coach Dave Moyer said Filler has “got to be one of the top five (players) in the state.”
In a 6-3 victory over Garrett this season, Filler went 3 for 4 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI. Garrett coach Scott Bishop said the home run was “against a 40-mile wind.”
“She’s the best hitter I’ve seen in the northern Indiana schedule we play,” Bishop said. “She’s really good.”
After Filler had a double and a single in her first two at-bats against Angola in the sectional title game, Angola coach Chris Schuler opted for the intentional walk.
“She is talented. There is no two ways about it,” Schuler said. “She’s impressive.”
Filler credits Notre Dame assistant coach Kris Ganeff with her offensive prowess. The two have worked together for four years on Filler’s stance, swing, hands and all technique issues.
Ganeff will recognize anything that may be off that could affect Filler’s swing and make adjustments, Filler said.
“I just work on that and make sure my mechanics are like perfect,” said Filler, who has given an oral commitment to play at Boston College. “Sometimes they’re not. Sometimes they are.
“I’ve just been working really hard, doing what I can, keeping my fundamentals and mechanics down and work hard every day.”
But it’s not only the quick hands, the bat speed and the fluid swing that have opposing teams fearing Filler.
She has confidence, too.
She has a good eye and is selective – she’s struck out only five times in more than 80 at-bats this season. That means pitchers must be nearly perfect with their location and can ill-afford to make mistakes.
“I’m aggressive when I’m up there,” Filler said. “If the pitch is there, I’m going to take it. If the pitcher misses her spot, I’m going to take advantage of that, too. Hitting is just something I love to do.”
