Courtesy of Peter Vander Stoep/Sun Devil Athletics

Hooked on a Feeling: Circling Back to ASU Leads to Breakout for Jordyn VanHook

She just needed a chance, an opportunity, someone to believe in her. Al VanHook made his pitch on social media for his daughter, Jordyn, throughout the summer. As any parent does, he supported her when she needed it most, but he knew something that no one else did.

After Trisha Ford left Arizona State for Texas A&M, Jordyn VanHook was one of many Sun Devils to enter her name into the transfer portal. She had spent three seasons in Tempe and had only 11 starts to show for it. However, when Megan Bartlett filled the vacancy and kept incumbent assistant coach Jimmy Kolatis, VanHook decided to come back to Arizona State. Her parents always told her to never quit, and she felt that there was still plenty left for her at Farrington Stadium. She relied on her support system and the results have certainly been worth it.

VanHook enters the final week of the regular season leading the Pac-12 with 18 home runs. To put into perspective how crazy that statement is, VanHook had 15 hits over the past three years. Not 15 home runs, 15 hits.

It’s hard to fathom how a player can break out in her senior season as VanHook has. Even she couldn’t imagine how this season has transpired. But one person did.

“I told someone the other day ‘I know for a fact that no one thought I was able to do this.’ And I, for sure, didn’t know I could do this,” VanHook said. “But one person I know that always had confidence in me and knew I was capable of doing this stuff was my dad. It opened my eyes. It’s just been nice that I can go out with a bang my senior year.”

VanHook has always had her dad in her corner. It didn’t take long for Bartlett to join him. From the very start, VanHook made a quick impression on her new coach both on and off the field. It only took a few batting practices to ask why VanHook wasn’t playing more. She’s always had natural power, and there’s a reason the staff didn’t tinker with her swing. VanHook’s heart also showed who she was to Bartlett.

“Jordyn is the easiest kid on the planet to root for,” Bartlett said. “Not only does she drop bombs, but she’s so hardworking, she’s lovely, she has a kind word for everybody. We’ve done nothing with that kid, we didn’t mess with the swing, nothing. We just tell her we love her, we believe in her and super talented. And it has translated.”

VanHook started the year as strong as anybody, with 13 home runs heading into Pac-12 play. She’s slowed down facing top-tier pitchers in the conference, but this is her first time going through the week-in-and-week-out grind as a full-time starter.

There have been ups and downs, but Bartlett has never wavered with her first baseman. Bartlett didn’t start VanHook in the series finale against Oregon, simply to give her some rest both mentally and physically. She later entered the game and it seemed to help. The following weekend, VanHook homered twice off of Megan Faraimo in Westwood.

“I wanted that connection with my coming staff. To have my back and to believe in me that I’m capable enough to play here and in the spotlight,” VanHook said. “I’m grateful that coach [Bartlett] and the staff have the confidence in me to play this game even when things are down. They’ve helped with a lot of things off the field. I can’t thank them enough for the support system here.”

There’s nothing wrong with transferring. It has opened the doors to plenty of stellar careers—see Florida’s Skylar Wallace’s season. But it’s not often in today’s era that a player sticks it out even through a coaching change. Everyone’s path is different, VanHook’s was just a bit of a roundabout. For Bartlett, that’s what is so admirable about VanHook.

“That kid worked and waited her turn,” Bartlett said. “She was a great teammate. She did anything that was asked of her when her number got called. It speaks volumes about her character. Every time Jordyn comes up with a hit it literally makes my heart so happy. She’s just that good of a human.”

VanHook has a chance to stamp herself at the top of the Sun Devils record books. With a series remaining against Oregon State, the Pac-12 tournament and the NCAA tournament, if Arizona State somehow finds a way in, VanHook has the opportunity to tie or set the program’s single-season record. She sits three home runs behind Cydney Sanders—who she sat behind last year when Sanders set the record at 21. Yet VanHook is already one of only nine Sun Devils who have hit 18 homers in a season, a list that includes the likes of Cheyenne Coyle, Kaitlin Cochran and Katelyn Boyd.

Regardless of how the season ends, VanHook is enjoying the process. The same one that got her here.