PRESSBOX
On which of the newcomers has impressed you the most this season
"I would say Clay Van Hook because he may not be tall, big or have a lot of power, but somehow he always finds a way to get on base. Clay and Taylor (Teagarden) are definitely the two most patient hitters on the team. It is fun to watch Clay find new ways to get on base every time he goes up to the plate. He reminds me of (Huston) Street, except that Clay can hit the ball harder. Both of them have that kind of luck where they put the ball in play and the opponent always finds a way to bobble the ball. I mean, whether he is hit by a pitch, walks or puts a ball in the gap, Clay can find so many ways to get on base, which is impressive and very valuable for our team." (Seth Johnson)
2005 PRESSBOX
2/24/5:
Longhorns off the Hook
"I
just wanted to come out there and win the game," Van Hook said.
2/10/5:
Helps Texas roll past Pan-American
A clutch utility player for the UT in 2005 who is a great situational
hitter from both sides of the plate ... an experienced infielder who can
play second, shortstop and third base
displays good hands, solid glove
work, speed and range
a team leader who will see regular action on the
infield in 2006.
SOPHOMORE (2005)
· Second-Team All-Big 12
2005 Season
· Played in 43 contests while starting 29 games at third base (19),
second base (2), catcher (3) and as the clubs designated hitter (5).
· Batted .266 with 21 runs scored and 14 RBI as he also boasted the
fifth-best on-base percentage (.407) on the team.
· Went a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts, good for fifth on the
team.
· Owned seven multi-hit and four multi-RBI efforts while accounting for five
two-out RBI and a pair of game-winning RBI.
· Appeared in 11 league games while starting five of those tilts and batted
.286 with three runs scored, two RBI, one steal and a .464 on-base mark.
2005 Highlights
· Made his first collegiate start at third base at San Diego State
(2/5) and tallied a hit in each of Texas final two games with the Aztecs
(2/5-6).
· Drove in five runs over Texas series opposite No. 5 Stanford (2/18-20) as
he posted at least one RBI in each tilt while also scoring two runs and
registering a 2-for-4 effort with one run scored during the series opener.
· Singled to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the final inning
versus both UT-Arlington (2/22) and Dallas Baptist (5/14 - two RBI).
· Recorded his first career double during a 2-for-5 effort at No. 10 Arizona
(3/4).
· Singled in a run while scoring another opposite No. 5 Rice (3/9).
· Went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored versus Oklahoma
(4/17).
· Collected two hits, swiped one base and scored once at No. 15 Rice (4/20).
· Hit .233 with 12 runs scored and seven RBI over 22 games for head coach Ed
Cheffs Alaska Goldpanners during the summer of 2005 to help the club win
the Alaska Baseball League title with a 28-6 overall record.
BEFORE TEXAS
· Lettered as a second baseman for head coach Skip Johnson at Navarro College during the 2004 season.
· Aided the Bulldogs in compiling a 36-19 overall record and was selected to play in the Junior College All-Star Game.
· Played second base for head coach Galen McSpadden's Liberal (Kan.) Bee Jays during the summer of 2004 and earned team MVP honors while leading the club to 25 victories.
HIGH SCHOOL
· A four-year letterwinner in baseball for head coach Jim Long (2000-04) who also earned three letters in football as a quarterback for head coach Glen West (2001-04) at Brenham High School.
· A four-time, first-team All-District performer as a second baseman/shortstop for the Cubs who was also named the District Newcomer of the Year as a freshman in 2000.
· Tabbed second-team All-State as a junior before leading Brenham to the state semifinals and garnering first-team All-State accolades as a senior.
· Also aided the Cubs football team in reaching the state finals as a senior.
· Selected in the 43rd Round (No. 1288 overall) in the 2003 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
PERSONAL
Born Clayton Briscoe Van Hook on Jan. 18, 1985, in Houston, Texas
parents are Kyle and Loyce Van Hook
has two younger sisters, Vanessa and Olivia
is majoring in Liberal Arts.
