California slugger sets state record with 3 home runs in a single inning
Ted Williams is one of the best hitters of all time, at any level. Is it possible that one California teen may be even better? By at least one statistical measure, Woodside (Cal.) High junior Brad Degnan has the legendary number 9 topped; only Degnan hit three home runs in a single inning.
Of course, Degnan is the only player in history to hit three homers in a single inning. The shots all came in the first inning of a 24-6 victory against Westmoor-Daly City (Cal.) High, and all were impressive blasts. According to the San Jose Mercury News, Degnan’s first homer was a line drive shot down the right field line, his second a 375-foot bomb to right field and his final a homer that just escaped the bounds of the center field fence.
"I've never seen anything like it," Woodside coach Tim Faulkner told the Mercury News. "All three of Degnan's homers were legit.
"Brad Degnan is the best hitter I've coached in my nine years at Woodside."
As previously mentioned, according to the Cal-Hi State Sports Record Book, Degnan is the first player to hit three home runs in a single inning. The aforementioned Williams hit two in an inning for San Diego (Cal.) Hoover High in a victory against South Pasadena (Cal.) High back in 1936, before he went on to a Hall of Fame career in Boston.
Degnan also tied the existing state mark for most RBI in an inning, totaling eight via his three home runs.
The three single-inning round-trippers brought Degnan’s season total to nine and his career total to 15. With more than a year of his career still to come, its likely that number will swell, perhaps significantly.
For now, Degnan will have to be content with three homers in a single inning.
"It's awesome," said Degnan when informed he is the new homers-in-an-inning state leader. "I never dreamed of a day like this."
Want more on the best stories in high school sports? Visit RivalsHigh or connect with Prep Rally on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
