Bochna lifts slugger offense

By FRANK FERRIOLA
Collegian Sports Writer

The 1-0 fastball left the hand of Ohio State's Gary Fragle, and in an instant, went screaming over the center-field wall. Lion Derek Bochna had just summed up his whole series against the Buckeyes with a game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the 12th inning.

"He fell behind 1-0 in the count and he gave me a fastball over the plate," Bochna said.

The Lion outfielder had a strong series against the Buckeyes (9-12, 2-2 Big Ten) last weekend at Beaver Field, helping the Lions to a 2-2 record in the Big Ten (8-15 overall). Though he was 0-for-3 before he hit the game winner, Bochna posted some serious stats for the weekend -- he went 7-for-15, with three home runs and nine RBIs.

Bochna, a former defensive back on the Penn State football team, said his throwing arm is a lot stronger and he is more physically fit. In addition, he has gotten his timing down since leaving football and is dedicating all of his time to baseball, he added.

Even though Bochna smoked the ball last weekend, he is working to reduce his strikeouts. He has 14 K's this season -- five came against Ohio State -- which he blames on his overly aggressive playing style.

"He seems to have everything under control," Penn State Coach Joe Hindelang said. "He may have a few strikeouts, but he's hitting better."

Bochna could become the Lions' all-time home run leader this season. With the 21 career homers he has now, Bochna only needs six more to break the record -- which is held by Dave Simononis (1978-80) and Eric Gates (1990-93). Although it is well within his reach, he said he doesn't really think about it.

"I just try to hit the ball hard," he said. "If it goes out, then it goes out."

Bochna added that taking two games from the Buckeyes was big for the team because it was the first conference series of the season and because they split the games with the team that won the Big Ten championship last year.