>>Nine innings with Paul Hoilman

>>Player stats for past seasons

By Todd Brison

The next big thing in major league baseball could be right here at East Tennessee State University.

ETSU’s starting first baseman, Paul Hoilman, has been playing since he was old enough to hold a bat. His hometown is right here in Johnson City, Tennessee, and he seems to have been destined to be a Buccaneer right from the start.

“Paul actually came to our baseball camps when he was younger… then obviously I saw him in high school,” said ETSU Head Coach Tony Skole. “He’s always been a winner… he’s had success at every level he’s played at.”

“He’s leading [the conference] in batting average, he’s leading in slugging, he’s up there in doubles, up there in  RBIs... pretty much you name it, he's up there."

                                              -Jeff Schneider         

At Science Hill High School, Hoilman began to bloom as an elite player. In his junior year, Hoilman was selected for the First-Team All-District team. He was also named to the High School Louisville Sluggers All-American Honorable Mention list, and was on a team that finished third in the Tennessee State Championships.

Coming out of high school, Hoilman was recruited by plenty of schools. One of them happened to have Ivy League status.

“I actually went up to Harvard,” said Hoilman. “It was pretty cool… but when it came down to it, ETSU made the most sense and it’s been nothing but a blessing being in my home town; Seeing my family whenever I want to has been really good.”

Despite passing on one of the most academically recognized schools in America, Hoilman has not been slacking off in class. He has nearly a perfect GPA as a math major.

“He’s a great student and he’s one of our hardest workers,” said Coach Skole.

Hoilman has excelled here in his home town. In 2008, he earned the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America honors and was selected to the A-Sun All-Freshmen team. He finished the season with a .353 batting average, nine home runs, and 47 RBIs.

In 2009, he upped the ante even more. He selected for the A-Sun First Team All-Conference team. He led the conference in slugging and tied for second in RBIs with 66. Hoilman also led his team in hits with 76 and Collegiate Baseball magazine named him a Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American.

This year has been even more kind to Hoilman. He has led his team to its best start in school history, and last weekend he went over 200 hits in his career. Hoilman's name is all over the Atlantic Sun conference leaderboard. Jeff Schneider, of the Bucs’ media relations department, commented on Hoilman’s outstanding season.

“He’s leading [the conference] in batting average, he’s leading in slugging, he’s up there in doubles, up there in RBIs, hits and home runs,” said Schneider. “Pretty much you name it, he’s up there.”

Hoilman said that he does enjoy the home runs, but at the end of the day his goal is to win one game at a time. He believes this team has a chance to go far in the post season.

“[We] want to win the A-Sun Championship for sure, and then hopefully make it into the NCAA [tournament] and do some damage there,” said Hoilman. “We definitely have a good team this year and it’s been a lot of fun so far. We’re just trying to keep it rolling.”

If Hoilman's stats keep improving and he stays for his senior year, he has a chance to be the best player to ever attend ETSU. Perhaps he even has a chance to become a great player in the big leagues.