April 23, 2002

W.T. Hoover has played numerous roles for Missouri in his career. W.T., which stands for Warren Thomas, has been an outfielder and designated hitter and expanded those roles to include appearances as a pinch hitter and catcher this season. After sitting out a season as a redshirt at Fresno State, Hoover started 39 games in 1999. He set a Missouri single-game record with four doubles against Bradley that season. Since that breakthrough campaign, Hoover has shown his ability to hit for power and average.

Despite not expecting to catch this season or again in his career, Hoover caught for one inning this year against Southwest Missouri State on April 16.

"It's an adjustment," said Hoover. "It's been about five years since I've caught. I caught a little in high school and a lot during the summers for American Legion games. I caught bullpens when I was at Fresno State as a redshirt but not in the games. It's fun, it's exciting to catch again. It's a lot better than being in the outfield as you know you're going to be in every play."

Despite serving as a backup catcher, Hoover still gets his chances in the outfield.

"At the beginning of the year, I would have said that I preferred to play outfield but I'm starting to get used to catching again," said Hoover. "It's weird seeing the guys pitch for the first time. It's exciting to be in every play, which is the one thing I missed when I first got switched (at Fresno State). I joked I was getting phased out of the game as I went from catcher to second base to the outfield to being the designated hitter and now a pinch hitter. It's fun to get back in there and do my stuff."

Hoover leads the Tigers with five pinch hits, more than Missouri had as a team in 2001.

"I make the most of my opportunities," said Hoover. "Wherever (Coach Jamieson) puts me, I'm just looking to go out there and get the job done. I don't have anything to lose or a reason to hold back. It's my last year and I want to go out there and enjoy it.

"I want to try to get at least two good swings when I'm a pinch hitter," continued Hoover. "I go up there with a no-lose attitude. The odds are stacked against me when I'm coming in off of the bench. I'm seeing the ball well right now and the swing feels good. I tell myself that I'm going to beat the guy and I don't care what he throws me. That one time is going to be my one chance and I'm going to give it my all. I'm going to concentrate and beat him more than he beats me in that one time."

Hoover started both games this past weekend against Kansas and hit a three-run home run as the Tigers won game one, 16-10. Hoover had a career-high five runs batted in during that game and finished the doubleheader with a total of five hits.

"I was just looking to drive the ball to left-center field because his ball was tailing away from me," he said. "I just tried to hit it over the shortstop. The pitch was left up and out and I hit it hard, got it up in the wind and it went out. I really wasn't trying to hit it out but I'll take it. I had one of my best days in terms of a home run, number of hits and RBI."

The two wins over Kansas kept the Tigers in contention for a spot in the Big 12 Conference Tournament. Unless Missouri qualifies for a NCAA Regional berth, Hoover does not want to see his senior campaign end anywhere else than Arlington, Texas.

"I'm really playing like there's no more after this season," he said. "I'm not expecting to get picked up by anyone. I'm not expecting on playing anywhere and I don't plan on trying to play independent ball either. I'm going to go out, have a good time and go out my last year with a bang."

And, with his .422 batting average entering this week's action, Hoover is doing just that.