NCAA ATLANTIC REGIONAL: Motivated Hannum looking for more as KU starts championship chase

KUTZTOWN, Pa. (May 10, 2011)—The one thing that most kids look forward to is the summer. It's something about the warm weather and no school that makes the summer season enjoyable. Going on roads trips with your closest pals to the beach or attending family cookouts would have been Heather Hannum (Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham)'s way to spend her summer but instead she opted for another route.

Her fun in the sun wasn't on beach where she could simply enjoy the pleasure of being young, but was on the blistering softball field where she spent hours a day playing the game she loved.

“I've been doing this since I've been five years old,” Hannum said. “I've put so much time and effort into this game. I gave up my summers as child and that's my motivation to really do good here.”

The Golden Bears' (39-14 overall) motivation has led them to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship. Kutztown will open up against California University of Pennsylvania Friday afternoon at Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Podbielski Field beginning at 1:30 p.m. The other opening-day game will feature IUP (33-6) against Winston-Salem State (29-12) at 11:00 a.m. Daily admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens, and $2 for children 12 and under. (NCAA TOURNAMENT HOME PAGE)

The junior first baseman has had to face some obstacles, but she is definitely a fighter. After being injured last season and struggling to find her way offensively during the first half of the 2011 season, Hannum is getting back on track.

“I've been trying to work on my hitting and trying to help the team anyway I can,” Hannum said. “I'm focusing on taking my own time to hit so that I can get the best pitch.”

Hannum also had the opportunity to play alongside her older sister Nicole Hannum (Horsham, PA/Hatboro- Horsham) during Kutztown's 2010 season.

“I used to visit Nicole at Kutztown and I fell in love with the campus,” Hannum said. “She was part of the reason that I came here but it wasn't completely based off her. It was always nice having her here when she played but I'm with her all the time so it's just the same.”

In Hannum's eyes KU is depending on its team unity to push it past it competition. Although things didn't turn out how Kutztown expected at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships two weeks ago, its eye is still on the prize. It was Hannum that was responsible for KU hosting the PSAC Championship series at the end of April because her game-winning three-run home run against West Chester secured second place for the Golden Bears.

“We work really well together as a team on and off the field,” Hannum said. “We are excited to be playing but we know it's not going to be easy.”

Hannum has been a part of Kutztown's tradition of winning 40 or more games for four consecutive years. KU's nine straight appearances in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional is a legacy that Hannum wants to continue.

“We are really looking forward to the games this week,” Hannum said. “The most important thing is for us to give it our all and to have fun.”

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