Eagle owes much to former 'Cane

Playing travel ball with ex-county standout Dani Hofer helped hone Rachelle Boucher's all-around game.

By DOUG KATES
Published April 6, 2006

EAST LAKE - Some afternoon before the end of the decade, a pitcher from Louisiana State University and a batter from Western Kentucky University likely will meet face-to-face in an Division I softball game.

But this won't be any ordinary pitcher vs. hitter matchup. This confrontation will feature two females who graduated from county high schools and were former travel team mates for three summers.

The pitcher will be Dani Hofer, a three-time Pinellas County Player of the Year and former national high school Player of the Year.The batter will be Rachelle Boucher - current East Lake catcher and three-time starting catcher for Hofer in the local travel leagues.

What will happen when Hofer meets Boucher for the first time in a college game? Boucher said it will probably start with a laugh, then a glare, then a curveball.

The second pitch will be a riser, then the third pitch will determine who wins Round 1. Boucher predicts a line-drive single into right-centerfield, followed by more glares and probably a little punch in the shoulder after the game.

"I actually have the advantage because I've caught for her for so long," Boucher said with a smile.

From 2003-05, Hofer dominated the high school softball scene in Pinellas County, and Palm Harbor University has two state championships partly because of her efforts. But in the summers of 2003, '04 and '05, Boucher was right there with Hofer as her pitching got better and better.

At the same time, Boucher's catching improved and the senior recently agreed to attend Western Kentucky. Boucher said the Hilltoppers met the Tigers during the preseason this past spring. She expects the universities to meet at least once over the next three years.

"(Hofer's) a good role model and a very good pitcher," Boucher said. "She has a great attitude. Her stats prove a lot. She's got the best movement I've ever seen and she's got speed to go along with it."

As of Sunday, Hofer was 12-3 for LSU with a 1.42 ERA, striking out 115 through 93.1 innings.

In any sport, competing against the best makes an athlete better. Boucher can say facing Hofer during East Lake-PHU games definitely improved her hitting, and the Eagle can say working with the former Hurricane also helped her catching. Plus, when you have someone like Hofer around, scouts follow and it's a good time to attract attention.

Boucher was offered scholarships to several universities, including Baylor and Wisconsin.

"During the whole experience catching a better pitcher, I've learned to call better games," Boucher said. "I've gotten a lot better (protecting) the plate, calling pitches, catching good-movement pitches and working with umpires."

"She's such a hard worker," he said. "She's worked hard to get where she is. She's smart and she knows how to work batters. Dani is an unbelievable pitcher, so I guess catching her you can't do anything but get better."

Boucher's continuous rise to stardom this season has attracted more scouts and allowed her to help her own East Lake teammates gain exposure. Boucher has been working with sophomore pitcher Kim Mazzapica, who recently tossed a 2-0 shutout against PHU.

"A lot of my success has come from being blessed by God for my talent," Boucher said. "A lot of my coaching has gotten me to where I am. Everybody can work harder. I put in a lot of time and a lot of summers. If it's something you really want, you should go for it. Have some fun, but you have to work hard. It will pay off."

[Last modified April 6, 2006, 02:00:13]