DYNAMIC INFIELDER JENNA HILLMAN JOINS HUMBER SOFTBALL
ETOBICOKE, ON: The Humber Hawks women's softball program continues to add talented student-athletes for the upcoming 2016 OCAA season. As soon as Duaine Bowles was named interim head coach back in May of this year, he immediately began recruiting, searching for the next top athletes that will fit his system and help Humber remain a provincial powerhouse. Coach Bowles' newest recruit Jenna Hillman fits that profile perfectly.
A native of Tecumseh, On., Hillman has spent most of her life playing hardball at the highest levels. As a 13-year old, she was selected to represent Ontario in the Canadian Bantam Girls Championships. While the majority of the girls playing in the tournament were two to three years her senior, Hillman dominated in the tournament en route to a gold medal. In the six game tournament, she hit .619, scored 13 runs, drove in eight RBI's, and led the tournament in slugging and on-base percentage. Hillman also pitched against Nova Scotia and earned the win after throwing 4 2/3 innings and only allowing two runs while striking out six.
"We are extremely excited to know Jenna will be wearing a Hawks uniform this coming fall," said Coach Bowles. "These recruits [Hillman, Yewchyn, Kostuch] will help us not only this year, but also down the road with our quest of becoming and sustaining the best softball program in the country."
As a middle infielder, Hillman's skills have been on display across North America. Her gritty, hard-nosed style of play had iCase manager/GM Tom Valcke referring to her as "the female version of Stubby Clapp".
"Jenna is a special player with a very fluid swing from the left side," added Coach Bowles. "She gives us the opportunity to get better up the middle of the diamond very quickly. She has all the tools to become a very good player in this league for the next couple of years."
A natural athlete, Hillman played volleyball for Tecumseh Vista Academy and she also set the school record for javelin throwing in 2014 with a throw of 105 feet.
This fall, she will be enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Arts – Criminal Justice program, a four-year honours degree offered at Humber College.
Hillman and the rest of the Hawks will report to tryouts on Saturday, August 20 at Wildwood Park.
Quick Facts:
Height: 5'4
Favourite athlete of all-time: "Dustin Pedroia"
One thing most people don't know about you: "I used to throw left-handed."
Athletic accomplishment you are most proud of: "Being on Team Canada's Women's National Team."
