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Date Posted: 09:31:25 03/25/02 Mon
Author: Jon Ralston
Subject: The Hit Streak

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Originally Published Monday, March 25, 2002
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Tigers star defies odds with streak

Gilhooly has hit in 23 games in a row

By Bob Highfill

Record Staff Writer

Before each game, University of the Pacific junior outfielder Tim Gilhooly sets a personal goal:

''Every game we've played, I've told myself to get at least two hits,'' Gilhooly said. ''So far, it's worked out.''

It certainly has.

Gilhooly, whose last name conjures images of Jeff Gillooly, the dupe in the 1994 Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan scandal, has had at least one hit in every game this season.

''I'm playing well right now,'' said Gilhooly, a strapping 6-foot-3, 210-pound native of Danville. ''It's pressure when you think of (the streak), but I'm staying relaxed.''

Gilhooly, who transferred from Chabot College, will take a 23-game hitting streak into today's makeup doubleheader against Stony Brook. The first of two seven-inning games will begin at 3 p.m. at Billy Hebert Field. The Tigers (13-9-1) will play host to first-year Big West foe UC Irvine from Thursday through Saturday.

Tigers coach Quincey Noble said he can't recall any player with a longer hitting streak in his 13 years.

''I haven't heard of one that long,'' Noble said. ''He's been doing a real good job for us.''

But Noble said the streak might be wearing on his standout player.

''I'd like to see the damn thing end because you start to get this internalized pressure,'' Noble said. ''He's going out of the realms of what he's trying to accomplish. He's trying to do too much.''

Gilhooly's teammates are helping him stay loose. Since the 12th game, he's been razzed other players, who tell him the streak is going to end that day.

''Everybody's been trying to jinx it, and it's not working,'' Gilhooly said. ''I've never really thought about it. People have been teasing me.''

He's continued to defy them.

Gilhooly is hitting .372 with a team-high 31 RBI and 25 runs scored. His slugging percentage is a hefty .638 and his on-base percentage .429. He's tied with James Stanford for the team lead in home runs with five and second to Michael Fitzgerald in hits with 35.

Gilhooly was a two-sport standout at San Ramon High in Danville -- a catcher on the baseball team and quarterback on the football team. He preferred playing football, but when the San Francisco Giants drafted him in the 32nd round his senior year, he focused on baseball.

Gilhooly turned down the Giants' offer and attended Chabot. He played right field after injuring his thumb and hit .375 his sophomore year. He also had a hitting streak at Chabot.

''I hit seven home runs in seven games,'' he said.

Gilhooly accepted a scholarship to Pacific and has played right field because of injuries. He has four assists and has been clocked from the right-handed batter's box to first base in 4.1 seconds. The major-league average is 4.4. He has 6.7 speed in the 60-yard dash.

''He's actually a better defensive player than hitter,'' Noble said. ''He has a good arm and obviously, he can run.''

Major-league scouts are aware of his ability to catch, which should raise his stock for the June amateur draft.

If Gilhooly is selected in the 11th round or higher, he'll probably bolt. If not, ''I'll stay and have a good time,'' he said.

* To reach reporter Bob Highfill, phone 546-8299 or e-mail bhighfil@recordnet.com

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