H-S Athlete of the Week: Addison Hiles, Frazier
Name: Addison Hiles
School: Frazier
Class: Sophomore
Sport: Softball
Hiles’ week: Addison “Addy” Hiles was 2-0 as Frazier’s starting pitcher with a 0.63 ERA in wins over Mount Pleasant (3-2) and Charleroi (15-0 in four innings), throwing an abbreviated no-hitter against the Lady Cougars with one walk and six strikeouts. She limited the Class 3A Lady Vikings to just one earned run on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Hitting-wise, Hiles batted .714 (5 for 7) in the two games with a double, two RBIs, four runs and a pair of stolen bases. The Lady Commodores trailed Mount Pleasant 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth when Hiles hit a lead-off single to ignite a three-run rally that also included a key sacrifice bunt by Zoey Zurenski that resulted in an error, an RBI double by Grace Vaughn and a run-scoring single by Emme Travalena. Hiles pitched a scoreless seventh to close out the come-from-behind victory. For the season, Hiles is 4-1 with a 2.07 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 27 innings and is hitting .500 (9 for 18).
Happy, happy, joy, joy: Hiles is known for her upbeat, positive demeanor. Just ask her coach, Don Hartman. “Addison loves to play the game, whether it’s softball or volleyball, and her attitude is unlike anyone I’ve seen in my coaching career,” Hartman said. “She’s never in a bad mood. No matter what the situation, lopsided game, close, tense game, she’s always got a smile on her face. It’s just always joyous.” Hiles says she’s just being herself. “I’ve always been like that,” said the 15-year-old daughter of Kevin and Michelle Hiles. “I like to get everyone in a good mood. I’m the most talkative player on the team and I just like to get everyone up. I don’t like it when no one’s talking or cheering. My whole family is really outgoing, especially my dad. I’m a lot like him.”
Heavy burden: When Hiles came to the Lady Commodores as a freshman last year a lot was asked of her, according to Hartman. “I basically told her, ‘I’m really putting this whole team on your shoulders. You’re a freshman pitcher and I’m going to put you in the lead-off spot. Can you handle all this?'” Hartman recalled. “And she looked at me, smiled, and said, ‘Yeah Coach, OK.’ And she’s done that.” Hiles felt she was prepared for such a challenge playing for her travel league team, the Ohio Stingrays. “I feel like I’m used to it from travel. I’ve been in situations where I’ve been under pressure,” Hiles said. “And I like being in control and getting everyone excited to be there.” Frazier was able to earn another section plaque last year. “Frazier has all these section trophies from before I got here and it felt good to know that I helped us add to that,” said Hiles, who lauds her head coach. “He’s very supportive. Donnie knows what he’s talking about. If he tells you something you know you can trust him.”
Uplifting win: Hiles felt her team’s comeback win against Mount Pleasant – like Frazier a perennial power that has a PIAA title on its resume – lifted her team up a level. “They’re 3A and always a really good team,” Hiles said. “We were 1A last year, 2A this year. They had a really good pitcher (Danica Trainer) that was tough to hit. The way we came back in that game against such a good team I think gave us a lot of confidence. It showed that we’re capable of beating anyone.”
Repertoire: Hiles arsenal includes four pitches. “I throw a fastball, changeup, drop curve and a riseball,” she said. “The drop curve has been working a lot for me recently. I also just learned the riseball and it’s been working pretty well, too. I do throw a lot of changeups. I always feel best about my fastball but I’m pretty confident in all four.” Hiles deflected credit for her four-inning no-hitter against California to her teammates. “I got a lot of help with my defense,” she said. “They always have my back and are always cheering me on. It’s just always a fun game when everyone is into it.”
Starting out: “I’ve been playing softball since 8U (eight and under), since I was 8 years old,” Hiles said. “I started at baseball when I was seven, then I switched to softball at eight. When I was younger I was always like, ‘Oh I’m going to quit, I’m terrible.’ But then it seemed like I kept getting better and then one day I said, ‘Well maybe I’m not too bad at this.’ My dad has always been supportive, always keeping my confidence up. That helps a lot.”
Volleyball: Hiles also was a key member of Frazier’s volleyball team this past season, playing as a libero for a team that won a section championship and reached the WPIAL final and the PIAA final four. “Oh, I love playing volleyball, too,” Hiles said. “I think volleyball is fun because you’re more active and in the game constantly. But I think I enjoy softball more because I’ve been playing it a lot longer.” Her volleyball coach is Don’s wife Mandy Hartman, who said of Hiles, “She’s just a sweet girl and she’s very humble. What a great kid and a great family, too.” When it comes to possibly playing in college, Hiles said, “I’m definitely interested in playing college softball, but I don’t know where yet.”
Life on the farm: Hiles lives on a farm. “It’s great,” she said. “We have cows. We have two cats, too. I like animals. It’s really fun during the summer. I get to spend a lot of time with my family and my aunts and uncles. We have a pool at my house so they all come up and swim and hang out and it’s just a good time.”
– Compiled by Rob Burchianti