The Situation
Those four years of work are what Svagdis refers to as part of “the process,” a coaching philosophy that emphasizes consistency, mental approach, and execution. It is a mindset that affects every aspect of the game, both in practice and in competition. It affects the way each player approaches the game in the field, at the plate, and on the pitcher’s mound. It affects every player in every situation, and it is the key to Svagdis’ coaching style.
“We’re talking about the fundamentals of the game,” said Svagdis. “There’s a process you need to adhere to in order to execute and have success. We are all going to make mistakes, but if we do the little things the right way, the big picture takes care of itself.”
In the wake of a 24-25 campaign in 2006 and a third straight season without a postseason appearance, the little things became that much more important, especially for Vogt and Hodsdon. Both experienced individual success at Azusa Pacific, and both were respected leaders in the clubhouse and on campus. They bought into the process, and they were ready to lead the Cougars into a season for the ages, one in which they crushed the program wins record by tallying 51 victories in 61 games.
“Coach Svagdis taught us to focus not only on winning, but also on developing yourself as a man of God and as a future husband,” said Vogt, a four-time NAIA All-American who went 7-for-9 with three home runs, three doubles, and nine RBIs in a pair of midweek games in the 48 hours following his marriage proposal to his girlfriend, Azusa Pacific hoopster Alyssa Ferdaszewski ’08.
“Coach taught us how to play the game the right way, and how to be a good person. If you do the little things right, everything will come together for you in the end. I learned how to go through each little goal to attain the overall goal, which is to win and to be a good person while doing it,” said Vogt.
Hodsdon, meanwhile, had no shortage of heroic efforts himself. At the plate, he shattered Azusa Pacific’s 10-year-old season home run record, along with the season RBI mark, finishing with 26 home runs and 100 RBIs. His go-ahead grand slam in the NAIA West Coast Super Regional lifted the Cougars to a victory over eventual NAIA champion Lewis-Clark State College, but it was his overpowering pitching that helped spark Azusa Pacific to a program-record winning streak that lasted 24 games, a 46-day stretch in which no team could top the Cougars.
Hodsdon threw 34 consecutive scoreless innings over the final month-and-a-half of the regular season, leading Azusa Pacific on its record-winning streak that included the clinching of the Cougars’ ninth GSAC baseball championship.
