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09/20/2018 12:00 AMDarren Hiller makes the most of every chance he gets to become a better baseball player by patrolling the outfield during the spring, summer, and fall. This level of effort has helped Darren rise up the ranks with the baseball team at Haddam-Killingworth High School, where he recently began his senior year.
Darren, a left fielder, has been playing baseball since he was 5 and quickly fell in love with the sport. Last spring, he helped the H-K baseball team win 18 games and earn the top seeds in both the Shoreline Conference and Class M State tournaments.
Darren brought his steady bat and solid glove into the summer season, when he played for the Shoreline Cougars 18-U AAU squad. Darren posted a .303 batting average and scored 11 runs, while helping the Cougars notch 14 victories and qualify for the postseason.
“My success comes from staying after practice and just trying to get better each day,” Darren says. “I’m just trying to take advantage of every opportunity I have to make myself better.”
Darren hasn’t always been an outfielder. Prior to high school, he manned the middle infield by the playing shortstop position. Darren feels the switch was for the best, because it gave him more opportunities to showcase his defensive abilities.
“I started playing the outfield in 8th grade. I switched from shortstop, and I didn’t know if I’d like it, but I needed to try the outfield to help me get playing time in high school,” says Darren. “The best part of playing the outfield is diving for balls out there...The toughest parts are reading the pop fly balls and the wind.”
Darren’s preparation goes beyond his practice time on the diamond. He says that spending time in the weight room has gone a long way toward helping him drive the ball. Darren says that he’s also learned how to keep a cool head when the game throws curveballs his way.
“I’ve been working out ever since freshman year, and I’ve gotten more power with my bat and hit the ball further,” says Darren. “Mentally, I’ve gotten more mature and handle situations better and nothing really overwhelms me.”
Darren knows that playing baseball on a year-round basis is an invaluable experience that allows him to further sharpen his skills. He also feels that it’s beneficial to compete against older players during the latter half of the year.
“In the spring, we play about 20 games, and then 40 more combined between the summer and fall,” he says. “In the summer and fall, we also play some college kids, so facing the faster pitching helps, too.”
Dennis Annicelli has seen Darren grow in all aspects of his game as his coach with the Shoreline Cougars for the past three seasons. Annicelli describes Darren as a multi-faceted player who never stops working and is always picking up tips to improve.
“He has above-average speed, which makes him very dangerous on the bases. He often sparks or starts the rally for the team. He’s the type of player who could draw a walk and then steals his way to third. He is an above-average outfielder who can play all three spots,” Annicelli says. “He always willing to do whatever it takes to make himself a better player, and that has really paid off for him. When I give him new information, he’s able to absorb it and apply it to the game right away.”
Darren is also going to be a senior captain for the Haddam-Killingworth boys’ basketball team this winter. Looking ahead to his final foray at H-K, Darren wants to help both of his clubs have memorable seasons, while setting an exemplary template of leadership for his younger teammates.
“For both basketball and baseball, we want to win as many games as we can,” says Darren. “I also want to be a good leader and role model for others and just have fun while we win.”