Rice freshman Hiram Bocachica Jr. hits first homer

HOUSTON – Long after most of the participants forget the final score, Hiram Bocachica Jr. will cherish what he accomplished Friday afternoon at Daikin Park. The son of a former major leaguer stepped into the batter’s box at the Astros’ stadium and accomplished what his father never could.

The Rice freshman from Puerto Rico lined a two-run shot into the Crawford Boxes behind the left field wall for the first home run of his college career.

“I felt super good,” he said in Spanish after a 14-3 loss against Mississippi State. “It’s a blessing to be here in Houston’s big league ballpark. It’s a blessing. We will keep doing the same.”

The elder Bocachica hit 15 home runs over his eight-year career in the majors. But he was 0-for-7 in his career against the Astros and 0-for-2 in two games at Daikin Park, which was known as Minute Maid Park during Bocachica’s career.

Bright light on difficult day 

With one powerful line drive, Hiram Bocachica Jr. could claim one stat his father never accomplished.

“Bocachica got his first homer, and I was pretty excited about that for him,” Rice coach Jose Cruz Jr. said.

He finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs against No. 16 Mississippi State. The Bulldogs scored eight runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to walk it off via the 10-run mercy rule.

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“I didn’t know,” he said when asked if he knew his dad had never gotten a hit at Daikin Park. “But we will keep the same trajectory.”

The 5-foot-7, 155-pounder from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, is known more for his defense at this point in his career. He started at second base against Mississippi. He also excels at short.

Slick fielder

A few weeks ago, Cruz gave Bocachica the highest praise, saying he could be the best defensive shortstop in the American Athletic Conference by the end of the season and in the nation eventually.

Hiram Bocachica’s bat is still a work in progress. He entered Friday with a .278 batting average and one RBI. Bocachica didn’t speak to his dad before Friday’s game, but he was adamant that he felt his presence by remembering his advice. 

His dad always reminds him to enjoy the game and do what he’s always done on the diamond. There’s no doubt about Bocachica’s glove. Now he’s showing that he can hit too.

“I think it’s a question of getting comfortable,” he says. “This is my first year here. I was in high school.”

^{Featured photo courtesy of Rice University Athletics.}