Panama senior Shawn Hogan fills role as the Razorbacks’ top pitcher

Going into this season, Shawn Hogan knew he was going to be counted on as the ace of the pitching staff for Panama (Okla.). Hogan prepared for the role by making sure he had the proper command of his pitches and increasing his speed.

He believes he has done just that, and by doing so, has helped Panama return to the state baseball tournament. The Razorbacks, who went to the Class 2A state tournament last spring, have made it back again this season.

Panama (27-4) faced Preston in the opening round of the Class 2A-I tournament May 15 at Seminole State College. (Panama would lose the game by a score of 6-1.)

“My biggest goal for this season was to get more (velocity) and be able to command better and I feel like I have done a much better job at that this season,” said Hogan, a senior right-handed pitcher who also plays third base. “This year, my two best pitches are my four-seam (fastball) and knuckle curve; this year, my knuckle curve has gotten a lot sharper and has been my best pitch.”

The results have proven true for Hogan this season. He entered the state tournament with a 6-0 record and has given up just eight earned runs in seven appearances. Hogan also has struck out 56 batters, including a season-high of 14 in a game in early April, over a span of nearly 30 innings.

But Hogan has an equal amount of pride in his hitting. Entering state, he was batting .310 with an on-base percentage of .490. Hogan also hit two home runs while driving in 23 runs.

“My strong point as a pitcher for me is I keep hitters off balance whether I’m changing tempo or mixing pitches well,” Hogan said. “And for me as a hitter, I don’t strike out very often and I make sure I’m at least a tough out every time.”

Hogan transferred to Panama from nearby Spiro prior to his junior season. He became the Razorbacks’ second-best pitcher behind standout Brex Caldwell, who is now a freshman on Oklahoma State University’s baseball team.

“Very good one for me last year,” Panama coach Chris Gollihare said of Hogan. “He’s throwing probably 83, 84 (miles per hour) on the mound, and has got a good curveball.

It wasn’t easy for Hogan, however, when he came to Panama because of Gollihare’s coaching style. However, it didn’t take long for Hogan to buy in to his coach’s system.

“We kind of have a program that we kind of follow; we do things a different way over here and when he first came over here, he said, ‘Man, it’s way different than what I’m used to,’ and a lot of kids have said the same thing,” Gollihare said. “So, we have a certain way of doing things and he just bought into that; every kid has, but Shawn has led by example.”

But regardless of how the state tournament transpires, Hogan is completely satisfied with how his senior year has gone.

“Getting back to state was something we all wanted as a team this season; we knew we were capable, especially with all of the work each and every one of us had put in the offseason,” Hogan said. “One of the biggest things that has made this season so satisfying for me was creating good bonds with my teammates and having fun on the diamond with the guys I grew up with.”

And Hogan has had another reason to succeed on the diamond, by honoring the memory of his mother, who passed away two years ago.

“My biggest inspiration playing baseball is my mom,” Hogan said. “Losing her two years ago was a big loss to me, considering she didn’t miss a game, so I definitely give it my all every game for her.”

Hogan, one of seven seniors on Panama’s squad, has yet to commit to play college baseball but wants to continue playing the sport, which he has always loved growing up. But he does have one future goal mapped out – wherever he goes, Hogan wants to get a degree in anesthesiology.

He’s not ready to call it quits in baseball yet, and especially wants to prolong his high school career for at least three more days, with the state tournament going from May 15-17.

“I’m very confident in our ability as a team as long as we throw strikes and make the plays,” Hogan said.