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MHS’ Kail Hill excited to play ball with brother again

RON JOHNSTON The Marietta Times Marietta High senior Kail Hill is a football and baseball standout for the Tigers. Hill has also played basketball during his time in orange and black.

Kail Hill

Marietta High

Year: senior

Age: 18

GPA: 3.2

Favorite subject: math

Sports: baseball, basketball, football

Bats: R

Throws: R

College: Malone University

Major: secondary education (math teacher)

Family: Steve and Nicole Hill (father and mother); Turner Hill (brother), Adi Hill (sister)

Question: You’re not playing basketball this year?

Answer: I’m getting ready for baseball where my future’s going to be. I’m focusing on the weight room.

Q: Have you decided on a college yet?

A: I’m going to be signing with Malone University later this week. I went to a prospect camp at Malone, and I just felt like that’s what I wanted to do, to play ball with my brother (Turner) again.

Q: How long have you been playing baseball?

A: Since I was…I played with my brother when he was about six and I was four. I’ve been playing for a long time.

Q: You’re a middle infielder, and I figure you’ll be at shortstop in the spring?

A: Probably. But I’ll play anywhere. It doesn’t really matter to me. I’ve played some outfield.

Q: At the plate, you have a good eye and you’re a good contact hitter? That’s got to be a gift?

A: I really hate striking out. Whatever I can do to put the ball in play, that’s the main thing for me.

I’m primarily a fastball hitter, depending on the count and the situation in the game.

I’m always looking for a fastball and reacting to the the off-speed and try to hit it backside. I’m never going to be off-balance in my swing.

Q: You’re also a pitcher, and the mind-set’s a little different, isn’t it?

A: Wherever I’m looking for, I try to give the batter the opposite whenever I’m pitching. So, my mindset is the exact opposite when I’m pitching.

Q: What do you throw?

A: Fastball, curve, change-up, slider, and occasionally I’ll throw a knuckleball or two.

Q: During your career, is there a highlight that stands out in your mind?

A: Definitely the run we made my sophomore year, Turner’s senior class, and that was pretty fun winning district.

Q: Who has helped impact your sports career? Your inspiration?

A: Definitely my dad. He’s had a ball in my hand ever since I could sit up straight and roll it back to him. He’s tossed BP, hit groundballs, flyballs, anything to me and Turner both. My hat’s off to him.

Q: You’re from an athletically-minded family, I think?

A: (Smiles) A little bit. My mom played basketball in high school, at Marietta.

Q: You played football for four years at Marietta High, right?

A: I did not play my sophomore year. I played freshman, junior, and senior years.

Q: Did that kind of toughen you up a little bit?

A: Oh, for sure.

Q: You played in the defensive secondary? And, you got to tackle a lot of people in that area?

A: Yes, especially with the defense we ran. Hats off to Coach Stevens and Coach Schob for putting that in. It was a very good defense.

Q: You also played on offense, too?

A: I played a little bit of wide receiver…just wherever they needed me.

Q: What do you do off the field? Any hobbies?

A: Over the summer, I’ll work, but sports are just constant.

Q: Do you have a favorite baseball team?

A: The Reds. I follow them.

Q: How about a favorite player?

A: I’ve got a couple. I like Brandon Phillips and the way he plays defense. But offensively, I definitely look at Joey Votto and the way he constantly puts the ball in play. I kind of like to model my game after him.

Q: Do you ever go one-on-one with Turner?

A: (Laughs) All the time. We’ll play wiffle ball in the backyard against each other and play basketball one-on-one.

Q: Being a senior, is there anything you’d like to shout out?

A: (Smiles) Oh, my goodness. I feel like I’d forget somebody. All my coaches, my dad and my brother have helped guide me to where I am today.

Q: Are you a student teacher at MHS?

A: Yes. I’m a mentor at Phillips Elementary. I just started this year. We just go down there and help with some of the kids who need help with school work or anything. We’re somebody they can talk to.

Last year, I did a similar program with disabled kids.

Q: Do you have a nickname?

A: Ummmm…(laughs) I’ve got a few actually, but…most people just call me Kail.

Ron Johnston, rjohnston@mariettatimes.com

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