May 14, 2008

You're in your final season here at Pacific, thinking back to your freshman year, what attracted you initially to the Tigers?

My mom worked at Pacific when I was a kid so I was familiar with the campus, attending summer camps, and becoming childhood friends with Mike DeRosa, President DeRosa'a son, but I never really anticipated attending Pacific.

Being from Stockton yourself, what is your most favorite memory from watching Pacific baseball as a kid?

I never really attended any games when I was a kid, but what I do remember is attending the baseball camps which were run by former head coach Quincy Noble. There I was able to meet and interact with the players, one of whom I remember and is now involved in the locally with youth baseball in the community, J.D. Hardcastle.

What has head coach Ed Sprague meant to you as a player in your career here at Pacific?

Coach Sprague has brought a wealth of knowledge about the game of baseball in particular about the mental side of the game and about hitting. He has instilled lessons about both that will help me later on life, specifically if I am looking to coach.

Looking ahead into the future, what do you see yourself doing after you graduate in May?

Right now, unfortunately I will not be done in May, so for me I will be taking a summer school class and fulfilling a summer internship, which is required by the sport management program. After that I will have a few classes left and will finish up next year.

You've put in a lot of time, and played a lot of baseball here at Pacific, what are you going to remember most about your time here with the Tigers?

I think the biggest thing that I will pull away from this are the relationships that I have formed with my teammates, both past and present, and the ties that I have formed with the staff and the faculty here on campus. I know it sounds a bit cliché, but its true.

It was actually the best offer that I received out of high school. I was planning on attending UC Davis as a walk on for the football program. I got into the school and had my housing arrangements set up with a good buddy of mine who was also playing football, and then half way through the summer I was offered a scholarship to come play here. Football was always the sport I wanted to play in college, and baseball was the sport that I enjoyed and I was pretty good at, but because of the advise of my high school coach's, who told me to not give up on baseball, and that I had a future in it, I am standing here today as a D1 baseball player.

Last week you led the Tigers in offensive performance. What changes did you make to have such a spectacular series?

I don't really think I made a whole lot of changes. I just allowed myself to relax and enjoy the moment. As far as preparation, I didn't change a thing. I think I have always been ready to play, I was given an opportunity, and took advantage of it.

Off the diamond, what sort of things do you like to do?

I don't really do a whole lot, a lot of my time is consumed by baseball and school. I like to work out and be in the gym. I am a social person, so I like being in situations where I can interact with other people. I wish I had more time to draw, because I consider myself to be somewhat artistic. I also like to hop in a pool from time to time and swim a few laps, reliving my childhood days of a competitive swimmer.