Font ResizeBut after some gentle prodding by Mustang head coach Mike Resetar, Hockenberry couldn't resist.
Three years later, the senior is on the verge of signing his letter of intent to play baseball for NCAA Division I Temple University on Wednesday, where he will receive a full scholarship from the Atlantic 10 program.
"I definitely think he can be a starter," Resetar said of Hockenberry's chances in the spring of 2011. "Whether he's all-conference or not, I don't know. He definitely can get to that point. He's got a lot of talent and a lot of upside."
Hockenberry has high hopes once he begins his time at the Philadelphia school, which went 17-33 last spring.
"When I get to Temple, I want to be Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year four years in a row," said Hockenberry, who plans to study criminal justice. "I'm looking to eventually getting drafted (by MLB) out of (Temple University)."
Those are lofty goals for the hurler, who was being courted by St. Joseph's, Mount St. Mary's, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County -- among others -- over the past year. But there's no doubt he has potential.
Resetar said Hockenberry tops out at 91 mph on the gun with his fastball and throws an above-average breaking ball.
"His biggest strength is that he has really good velocity," Resetar
"That's what these schools like. They like to see young guys throw different pitches and they like to see room for growth. He certainly can improve, which is a good thing."
During the past three years, Hockenberry has had a tight schedule in the summer. First, it begins with American Legion baseball, in which he plays for Resetar and South Western York.
Hockenberry threw 26 innings this past summer. He struck out 34 batters, allowed 21 hits, had 15 walks, earned a 2.42 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched).
Plus, at one point, he has been featured on three high-end showcase teams down the East Coast. He's played for the Mid Atlantic Rookies, Select Best and in the World Wood Bat Showcase.
Those three teams essentially cast a line to his eventual suitors, informing colleges not only of his major league arm, but also of his touch.
During the past year, Hockenberry has crafted his pitch location down to a science. With the Mustangs last spring, he showed an improvement in command of the plate.
"A lot of times high school kids get overwhelmed with the fact that they want to throw 90 mph and they often they don't focus on location and making good pitches," Resetar said. "He's been pretty successful in making good pitches."
With the spring season heading Hockenberry's way soon, he has his eyes set on perhaps adding another pitch to his repertoire: the circle curve.
"We're still in the process of working on that," Hockenberry said.
