WEBVTT
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Yeah, and I think there's a lot of people that that hate us because they ain't us.
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But we feed off of that and and we love it.
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But it's just I don't know.
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I feel like it I don't know how it can't be everyone's dream to come play baseball for Tennessee.
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I I'm I'm extremely blessed that I'm here and I love every bit of it.
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Hey y'all, welcome back to the Everything Orange podcast.
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I hope everyone was able to enjoy some great Tennessee athletics this weekend, whether it was spring football, whether it was track and field, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, you name it.
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We had so much going on this past weekend.
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And particularly what an exciting weekend for baseball getting the sweep down in Starkville, Mississippi over the Bulldogs, the number nine team-ranked program in the country.
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And one of the guys on the roster, a youngin' in this pitching staff, was able to make a big impact in only his second Friday start of the season.
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He brings so much energy to the mount.
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He's got such a competitive spirit, and he just loves having fun playing the game with his guys.
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And he's here on the podcast today to talk about all things Tennessee baseball.
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So please welcome to the Everything Orange podcast, Landon Mac.
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Landon Mack, welcome to the Everything Orange Podcast.
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Thank you very much.
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Happy to be here.
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We're so happy to have you here.
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We haven't really talked to baseball in a hot second.
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So I'm really excited to dive into this season and get to know you a little bit more off the field as well.
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But to start, I have some questions to get to know you in about 60 seconds.
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So the first question I have is what is one place you'd love to visit?
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Japan.
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Wow.
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I wasn't expecting that.
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Why Japan?
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I I think the culture is very cool.
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I think like how technologically advanced they are.
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I think it would be just a cool place to visit.
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That would be awesome.
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Yeah.
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Your favorite non-baseball athlete?
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I'm gonna go Grant Horvat.
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He's a YouTuber.
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Okay.
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He doesn't play professionally, but he's a golfer and he does like golf content on YouTube.
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Okay, really cool.
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Did you watch the Masters?
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Did you just see any of it while you're I've been yeah, we had it on the bus yesterday when we were when we were coming back home.
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Uh go to hype song.
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Ooh.
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Um, I'm gonna go Dreams and Nightmares by Mink Mill.
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Are you like, is that your style of music?
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Do you prefer?
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Have you gotten used to like country music?
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Oh yeah.
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Oh yeah.
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I I have a very uh I would say wide variety of music.
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Yeah, I kind of like everything.
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Okay, good.
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Are you watching a show right now, or is there one that you would really recommend?
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You know, I I'm not too much of a show watcher.
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I I could tell you, like in recent years, I was into Invincible.
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It was like a comic action kind of show.
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Um but but recently I haven't been into TV shows.
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Do you have anything like that I should watch?
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You know, um Black Rabbit on Netflix is really good.
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Um, I'm watching the Stephen King 112263 show.
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Whoa.
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Yeah, complex name.
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It is.
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It's as if they go back in time and save JFK Jr.
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No, JFK from being assassinated.
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That actually sounds sick.
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Yeah, it's really good.
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I watched uh Love Story, which it was JFK Jr.'s I'm watching that right now.
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That's that's pretty good.
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Okay, did you finish it?
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Uh like I'm close.
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Okay, okay.
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Um that's a good cool connection.
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That sounds interesting.
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Yes.
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Your favorite jersey number you've worn.
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Uh I've had two jersey numbers in my life.
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I had 27, I've had 18.
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I wear 18 now, it's my dad's number.
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Oh, nice.
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Uh, and then I wore 27 when I was much younger because Mike Trout wore it.
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I wanted to be like Mike Trout.
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Um, and also my sister's birthday.
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She was born September on the 27th, so that was kind of her lucky number.
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Yeah.
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But very nice.
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One word your teammates would use to describe you.
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I don't even know.
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I don't uh I would go with I guess outgoing.
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I like I like to I like to hang out with everyone.
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So easy going, just there for the vibes.
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That's boring, it's basic, but I guess that's what it's like.
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That's a good one.
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Yeah.
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Your favorite hobby or activity when you're not playing baseball?
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Cars and golf.
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Those are my two heavy hitters.
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Okay.
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So when it comes to cars, what do you do to fix them up?
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I I just enjoy like seeing cars driving by.
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It sounds boring, but cars driving by where like it's been worked on because like I can respect like the amount of time and effort that it takes that like they put it's like an artwork kind of.
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Yeah.
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Um and uh yeah, I got a truck and I love doing stuff to my truck, and I kind of inherited that from my parents.
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My parents were both car people.
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Okay.
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Um actually they both raced.
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My mom had a Pontiac Trans Am, my dad had a an old Camaro.
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And wow.
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So it was it's kind of like in our board.
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It's in the family.
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We love we love cars.
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That's really cool.
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Wow.
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And then golfing, you just enjoy doing that.
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Like, yeah, it's like it's a nice, nice hobby just to you know, kind of forget about everything and kind of be frustrated about how bad you are at it because it's really hard.
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But I no, it's a fun time.
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I love playing golf, especially with the guys.
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It's a lot of fun.
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A good thing to do, like team bonding and stuff off the field, get away from baseball for a little bit.
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And with the weather, like so nice down here, like there's so many good places.
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Back home in Jersey where I'm from, it's I think it's starting to get warm now, but I but like the weather there now is probably what it was like a month ago here.
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Oh my gosh, yeah.
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I bet you're loving that.
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How important?
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No, this weather is awesome.
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I love it.
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And last question your dream stadium to pitch in.
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I I would go to Citizens Bank Park as a Philadelphia Philly.
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Okay.
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With the stadium packed out.
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I think like that's my hometown.
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Yeah.
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Um, so I think that would be awesome to be able to pitch there.
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That'd be so awesome.
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Well, great.
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Okay, that was awesome.
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Getting to know you a little bit more off the field.
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I want to start now by just recapping where we're at in the season so far.
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So, overall, the team is 24 and 12 on the season, seven and eight in conference.
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But how would you describe how the experience has been for you and for the team so far on this ride?
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I've had the most fun I've had in my life playing baseball here.
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Um, our team culture, our fans, just being in the SEC, this level of competition.
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Um, I've had a blast doing it all.
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And uh especially sweeping Mississippi State.
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That feels pretty good.
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Yeah, and I want to talk about that.
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I want to talk about that even more.
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Um, because we are coming off such an incredible weekend from this past weekend.
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But first, we went through some not so great to get on the other side as well.
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So I want to talk about that because I feel like that's such an important part of the story as well, like overcoming that, because we had some really tough battles and some series to start off conference with Georgia, the walk-offs with Vanderbilt and the extra innings with LSU.
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But how was this team just able to stay together and keep moving forward, knowing that uh if you didn't lose sight of what was ahead, like you could have great success like we saw this past weekend?
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Yeah, the theme uh E-Learner's been telling us is everything's right in front of us, which it is, and it still is.
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Um, but you know, we've we've battled a decent amount of adversity with you know losing our head coach and and pitching coach and strength and conditioning coach.
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But uh, I think that just kind of shows the how much value there is in like we're no stranger to adversity, and you know, we went through some tough times, but that doesn't mean that you know we we fold um when it comes to that stuff.
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We have the the character on our team.
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Um we got guys that just want to compete, want to win, and you know it weekends like this will happen where you know we have a couple tough weekends, but we're gonna come back out on the other side.
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Yeah, and you're building to what is to come.
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But you made a great point too about like the adversity that this team has faced wasn't you know fresh when the season started.
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Like you kind of have been going through it all year and you've been figuring it out and and the positive to take away from it all.
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So then you come into this weekend, this past weekend, down in Starkville, a really tough road environment to playing a number nine team in the country, and you don't just win the series, you go down there and sweep them.
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How were you guys able to stay at such an elite level of competition Friday through Sunday to get the job done?
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Yeah, I think guys just knowing what their own individual task is, uh knowing their role and fulfilling it.
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Um, I think this was definitely a weekend where we kind of played collectively uh, you know, to uh an amazing level.
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Um, was that the best we've played?
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No, we were better than that.
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I can tell you that for sure.
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And but the fact that, you know, everyone can kind of know their role and and knows what the task is at hand, go and and fulfill it.
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I think, you know, if we if we stay, you know, along those lines, we're gonna have a great rest of the season.
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How does that build the confidence of this group too?
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Because you're saying, you're sitting here saying, like, yeah, that was great, but I know we have even so much more to give.
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What does that do for the team morale to see all of that success fall into place as you move ahead through conference play?
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Yeah, I think two sides of it is like one there, living in the moment.
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Like it's really important to enjoy those things uh when they happen.
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Um and two, the reflection piece, like there's there's guys where hey, maybe we got a little sped up or or we didn't execute here.
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You get very nitpicky about things, but then to be able to nitpick and and then go and work on that throughout the next week, we got old miss coming up, and then you know, how can we then go and execute that against Ole Miss?
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Um, or Alabama or Texas, whatever the following weekends are.
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So um, yeah, kind of just being able to reflect and and nitpick because these guys are extremely skillful and talented, and uh it's it's kind of just seeing how how good can you get.
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Mm-hmm.
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Yeah, and this is the time of the year to do it as well.
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Absolutely.
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Coach Elander, we saw that video of him celebrating with you guys after the win on Sunday, and you can tell how proud he is of this group and how badly he wants to see all of the right things fall into place.
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What does that do for the team morale of this group to see like the win start to fall in place?
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Because we know this group is so talented, just hasn't always gone the right direction depending on the day.
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But to see it all play out the way that it did, how does that boost morale going into the second half of the regular season?
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Yeah, he is uh he's a guy where where like in the mo moments like those, I would say one when he got picked as coach, and two him in the huddle right there.
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Those were like my top two experiences here just because of how fired up he is.
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And as a player, I I love that my coach cares and and wants us to win that much.
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Um, but is also gonna enjoy it with us like that.
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So uh I I love him.
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He's been great, and uh, I know the role that he the shoes that he's had to fill are big shoes, but yeah, he's done a great job.
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I love him.
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I know all the guys love him, so we're very happy to to kind of get the ball rolling the way it is.
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Baseball's obviously a long season, and we've seen other teams in the past recently for Tennessee baseball have a similar start.
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Were there any conversations around maybe the 2023 team and how like that team started off five and ten in the regular season, were able to turn things around at the right time and make it all the way to Omaha.
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Were there any leaders in the group or just reminders of like, hey, like this season really just began and there is still so much time for us to figure things out, get better in the different areas we need to, and have a great success at the end in the postseason as well.
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Yeah, I think the theme of um, you know, living in the moment and and not looking ahead too far has definitely, you know, been common.
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Um and yes, people have uh, you know, compared us to the 23 team and what have you, but um I think we do a good job of kind of filtering out all the exterior uh noise and we're just kind of focused on one game at a time.
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We know we can make it to Omaha.
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Yeah.
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But you get there by focusing at the next task at hand.
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Right, by not getting, like you said, not getting too far ahead, just looking at the right here, right now, what do we need to do going into this weekend series or whatever it might be and getting the job done first before we can look all the way to the future.
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Yeah.
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Um, but how good does it feel to start to see these things click like they did this weekend back to back to back?
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Yeah, no, I think definitely the roles being filled, like kind of knowing like who should be put in and where.
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I I think we're playing as a team amazing right now, and I love to see the success of all my teammates and uh yeah, when we're winning games like that, I think uh I don't think anyone could be unhappy with what's going on.
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Where do you think the best improvements have been most recently that have really you know changed the um the outcome that we've seen so far from the group?
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Yeah, with the past couple of weekends, the the the struggle has been, you know, we we'll get ahead, but uh finishing the work and and you know to completion.
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Okay.
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Um so to be able to have uh you know not be complacent uh and stay locked in for all nine innings, I think is really one of the bigger things being able to to finish those games out and uh and hold the lead that we get.
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We're halfway through the regular season so far, which is kind of crazy to think already.
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Five series in, five series still to go.
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But what stands out to you the most about where this team is at right now as we sit middle of April?
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I think uh from you know, like a pitching perspective, the way the guys are executing, I think that is something that's definitely stuck out.
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Um, but then I think one thing that everyone can see from this past weekend was how consistent the bats were.
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And uh it's a lot of fun when those guys are hitting the ball the way they were.
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Um, but that's it's crucial.
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It's a big part of the game.
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And uh I think on both sides of the ball, really, it's it's it's been great.
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You're heading into your third Friday start of the season coming into this weekend against Ole Miss.
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How does the momentum of last weekend carry into this weekend, not just for you guys, but also for the fans um at Lindsay Nelson Stadium to have the next home series be in our home stadium?
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Yeah, I think the just the overall confidence of like, hey, you know, we took down, you know, a big team uh and used that momentum kind of into the next weekend.
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I think that's that's very important.
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Um, but also just trusting the work that we've already put in uh and we do put in throughout the week.
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Um, everyone should feel prepared and and ready to go.
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And it's a good feeling when you show up at Lindsay Nelson.
00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:01.120
How excited were you just coming off this past weekend?
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It was great.
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It was awesome.
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We our our our bus ride, our plane ride, bus ride back here.
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Um just good vibes the whole time.
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Yeah, yeah.
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Which this team like deserved to have a moment like that.
00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:16.960
So I'm so happy that things went so great this past weekend for you all.
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Let's talk about the pitching staff too, because from the outside, it looks like it is one of the most selfless groups in the country.
00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:27.600
Because in theory, there could be five starters out of this group of guys.
00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:30.000
There is so much talent in the room.
00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:35.440
What makes this group play together and work off of each other so well?
00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:38.000
I think a part of it's the bonding off the field.
00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:45.679
Um, wanting to like, I I love every one of those guys and I want to see them succeed just as much as I want to succeed.
00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:53.039
So no one has like any, you know, kind of saltiness where they're like, oh, you know, that should be me or anything like that.
00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:55.440
There it's just everyone's playing for one another.
00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.960
Um, and and for the power tea and and for E.
00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:01.759
You know, it's it's it's a great thing to see.
00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:06.000
What's it like to have a pairing two with Cam coming in and relieving you?
00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:10.639
And like how cool is it to have like that moment to share with him and one another?
00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:20.559
Yeah, so I think it's kind of funny because I kind of had always felt like like when we came in uh in the summer, I almost felt like a mentor to him.
00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:25.200
And now I don't really know if I can say that anymore because he's doing so good.
00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:28.960
Uh but no, I I'm I'm super proud of him.
00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:33.200
He he's got you know many things that he's gonna achieve in his career.
00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:36.720
He's got a long career ahead, and I love having him right behind me.
00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:38.720
Yeah, it's great, it makes me feel good.
00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:41.039
And Tegan is your roommate, right?
00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:52.720
And you guys uh like are in a unique and like a great position there too, where you started as a Saturday starter, he started as the Friday starter, now you guys have flip-flopped, your roommates, you're really good friends off the field.
00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:57.759
Like, just what's that dynamic like between you guys and like also kind of going through this whole process together?
00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:59.840
Yeah, I mean, we work together every day.
00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:07.039
Uh, I had said this in an interview after one of our first games that uh uh you know, we constantly push each other.
00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:22.160
And when I was in the Saturday spot, I I was saying, you know, I'm gonna push him as hard as I can, try to take the Friday spot, and I hope that he's gonna push me as hard as I can, or as yeah, push me as as much as I can, and uh try to take my my spot.
00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:28.640
And I think that dynamic of uh wanting it one for each other because we spend so much time together.
00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.119
Yeah.
00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:36.000
Um, but then also just that dynamic of pushing each other uh really, you know, keeps us going.
00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:45.039
Um but yeah, no, whether it's eating or we sports, M will be the show, whatever it is, it's always a competition.
00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.880
So uh I love that guy.
00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.440
He's awesome.
00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:50.000
How much baseball talk is there really, though, at home?
00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:53.200
Or like is it like we're off the field, please don't bring up baseball.
00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.880
Let's just like have fun and do whatever.
00:17:55.119 --> 00:18:01.200
Sometimes there there are there are times throughout the day where like, hey, like, you know, this really felt good or that really felt bad.
00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:06.400
Like we can bounce ideas off of each other because we're in very similar uh positions, right?
00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:12.400
Um, but for the most part, we keep baseball at the baseball field and life back at home.
00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.920
We just kind of hang out.
00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:15.680
Yeah, that's that's really nice.
00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:18.240
It's nice to have somebody like going through it with you at this point.
00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:18.960
Yeah, exactly.
00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:22.319
Because we're in such similar positions, so it's like easy to relate.
00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:22.960
Exactly.
00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:28.960
And it makes the whole transition, I'm sure, like coming down here, new team, new environment, just like feel less alone.
00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:32.480
Like you really have like your people around you supporting you and there for you.
00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:37.519
Um, and then you got a guy like Evan Blanco on Sundays, a veteran, Omaha experience.
00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:40.000
Like he has been there, done that over and time again.
00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:40.960
He's done it all.
00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:48.240
What have you learned working alongside him and being able to see like how he approaches the game and take away some pieces of that into your own?
00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:54.240
I think the one thing that stands out the most about Blanco is the work that he puts in off the field.
00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:58.799
Um, so that's what it's taking care of his body recovery throughout the week.
00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:11.839
Um, it's just the consistency uh of the work that he puts in um to make sure that like there's the analogy, you got 12 hours chopped down a forest, you spend 11 of them sharpening your blade.
00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:14.400
I think that's Blanco in a nutshell.
00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:19.920
He he prepares very well and it sets him up for success, and he deserves everything he's got.
00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:21.920
I've never heard that analogy before.
00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:23.680
Yeah, that's great though.
00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:27.920
You you spend 11 hours sharpening your blade, so it only takes you an hour to do the job.
00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.440
Is that like in theory what we're getting at?
00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.160
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.319
Yeah.
00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.720
Versus like just chopping away and all that.
00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.759
And it being difficult.
00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.720
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.759
That's really cool.
00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.400
That's great.
00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:42.000
Well, it's great that you have like a role model on the team and someone like who's been where you are now to be able to do that.
00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:44.079
He's he's a he's an open book.
00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:46.079
He he's definitely been through it all.
00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:52.559
So good guy for for guys like myself and even the the younger guys to to go to and ask for advice.
00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.519
That's so awesome.
00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:53.759
Yeah.
00:19:53.920 --> 00:20:03.839
Um, now growing up watching the game, what did you know about Tennessee baseball and maybe the history and the culture around the pitching at this program?
00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:08.799
Did you know much about it, or when did you kind of start to know more about Tennessee?
00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:18.559
Yeah, I think uh in in the house, you know, we started to turn on college baseball more than the major leagues, uh right around the age of 10, I would say.
00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:18.880
Okay.
00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:31.519
Just because let's be real, in major leagues, they're much more perfect, and you know, stuff doesn't happen, but in college ball, it's kind of exhilarating because not everything's perfect.
00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.000
Yes.
00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:41.839
Um, but I mean to have people like Luke Coachaver, Gary Crochet, those big names, um, go through the program, it draws a lot of attention to it.
00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:46.480
And yeah, it was, I mean, Tennessee has always been a school that I've wanted to go to.
00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:48.400
So I'm super happy that I'm here now.
00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:51.759
Well, and that's what I was gonna talk about like later, but you bring up a great point.
00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:55.920
It was like in a previous interview, you you talked about Tennessee being your dream school.
00:20:56.000 --> 00:21:03.599
Like, what was it from a young age that you saw about Tennessee baseball that you were like, oh my gosh, like I want to wear orange one day.
00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:08.000
To be honest with you, my sister is the one that brought attention to it.
00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.039
She loved the color.
00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:12.960
She was like, Tennessee is my favorite team because of the color.
00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.559
And so we always had it on.
00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:20.960
And I've just loved the culture, loved the the you know, electricity around Tennessee baseball.
00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:25.759
And I I don't know if really like I think everyone wants to go to Tennessee.
00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:27.519
I don't know who couldn't want to go there.
00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:29.200
The orange is probably the best.
00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.640
It's a great color.
00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:34.559
Hands down, like all the other shades do not compare it to Tennessee orange.
00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:35.359
She got that right.
00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:35.759
Yep.
00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:41.599
Um, earlier this season, Coach Elander compared you to one of the best pitchers in program history, Chase Dolander.
00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:49.440
What does it mean to be mentioned in that same conversation as a guy that's now playing in the majors and having a great career himself?
00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.839
Yeah, I think I can say all the right stuff.
00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:58.559
Like, I'm honored, but I I I really appreciate that he said it, but I also take it kind of as a challenge.
00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.759
Like, I want to try to.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.880
Fill those shoes.
00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:05.599
And I'm glad that he did because you know it keeps pushing me every day.
00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:07.839
Yeah, you were like, okay, coach, challenge accepted.
00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.319
Yeah.
00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:16.480
He also said you bring stability and that the defense has confidence playing behind you because you're because of your pace and how you attack hitters.
00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:23.039
What does that trust mean to you that your coach sees that in you to be able to go out there and get the job done?
00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.079
It means a lot.
00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:28.319
It gives me a lot of confidence to go out there and just play freely and do my thing.
00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:33.440
But also to have the connection with the infielders where, you know, we're all working together.
00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:36.480
Last year, actually, as a freshman, I was a two-way.
00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:41.119
So I got a little bit of, you know, some soft hands, some infield hands.
00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:44.319
Um but yeah, to be able to work with those guys is awesome.
00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:46.640
They make it really easy to do my job.
00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:49.680
From the outside, too, you play with a lot of energy.
00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:54.480
You're obviously super competitive, and like you have so much emotion on the mound.
00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:56.640
How would you describe yourself?
00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:58.240
Um, your pitching style.
00:22:58.559 --> 00:23:00.000
Yeah, everything's authentic.
00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:02.640
I think in high school is kind of where it all started.
00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.279
Yeah.
00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:08.160
Um I think a lot of people would describe me as full of myself in high school.
00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:12.799
But uh no, I I like I said, everything's authentic.
00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.559
I I'm just having fun.
00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:16.400
Uh I love love doing it.
00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:23.680
I mean, I think Reese had had the catch against LSU in right field, and like I almost threw my glove over the net.
00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.599
And like, I I don't know.
00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.119
It's I I blacked out.
00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:36.400
I don't really remember throwing my glove, but it's just it's the role emotion of playing in front of our our fan base and you know, with our team and everything.
00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.200
It's just a great time.
00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:41.519
Yeah, there's so much like electricity pulsing through Lindsay Nelson.
00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:45.039
You can't help but just get involved in it as well yourself.
00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:47.119
Um, so let's talk about your journey to Tennessee.
00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:50.880
We kind of touched on it for a second, but you were born and raised, right, in New Jersey, born and raised?
00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:52.480
Princeton, New Jersey is where I was born.
00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.079
Jersey kid through and through.
00:23:54.160 --> 00:24:01.519
You started your career at Wreckers, and as a true freshman, you became a Friday starter, throwing 80 innings with 70 strikeouts and just seven walks.
00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:10.480
Take me back to freshman year and what kind of allowed you to play so free and with so much fun and have the success that you did year one.
00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:20.160
Yeah, I think uh the the vibe uh last year was kind of just, you know, a group of a group of friends that are going out to play baseball.
00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:23.839
Um, you know, we didn't really know what the expectation was for us.
00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:27.279
So we kind of were like, hey, let's prove everyone wrong.
00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:35.119
Um and I I don't know, it's just kind of that not lack of care, but it's just like if it doesn't work, it doesn't work.
00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:37.440
I'm just gonna go and you know, give it my best.
00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:39.039
And I think that's kind of how we played.
00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:41.119
We had a pretty good year.
00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:45.519
Um, and and for me personally, yeah, that was just kind of the same theme.
00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:48.319
I was just like, here's my stuff and deal with it.
00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:53.119
Um, and I think that's kind of I've been able to translate that over here a little bit.
00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:57.759
Yeah, it kind of seems like you were like, I mean, what do I have to lose?
00:24:57.920 --> 00:25:00.160
Like, I'm just gonna go out there and play and have fun.
00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.640
Yeah, exactly.
00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:10.799
And obviously, all the cards fell where they did because you entered the portal, and it seemed like everyone was just trying to get a chance to chomp the bit with you.
00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:16.400
What was it about Tennessee though, that you were like, sorry, everyone, I know where I'm gonna go.
00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.440
It's not there.
00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:21.279
I I think definitely the relationship with the coaches here.
00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:39.119
Um, when V was here, and actually the phone call that I was going to make to tell him I was committing here, um it he picks up the phone, and before I can even say anything, he goes, Please don't tell me you're asking me for my ESPN uh login to watch UFC.
00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:41.440
Because we have been talking about UFC a good bit.
00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:56.240
We had a lot of common interests, and it's just it speaks a lot to the kind of culture we have here where, you know, with the coaches that we have now, E and and and Ren and and everyone, um, you know, there's obviously a hierarchy.
00:25:56.319 --> 00:26:03.599
Uh I don't want to say that we're peers, but it it has that friend like feeling where I feel extremely comfortable around my coaches.
00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:07.839
They know, you know, when it, hey, it's it's time to to to work.
00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:15.119
Um, but yeah, just kind of the the resources that they are for us to be able to go and talk to them about anything.
00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:19.359
Uh, but yeah, that relationship that you know the players have with the coaches is special.
00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.160
Yeah.
00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:28.000
And obviously, like it was so intentional and like it went it obviously went beyond the field because it made you still want to stay here after everything that happened in the fall as well.
00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:31.200
You were like, I'm I'm here and I'm going to be a volunteer.
00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:35.200
What did your family think when you made the decision to come to Tennessee?
00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:37.920
They were extremely happy, especially my sister.
00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:40.240
She's like, I told you so.
00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.119
Yeah, yeah.
00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:43.599
What about the community too at home?
00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:51.359
Who gets to see the the kid from you know our hometown who started at Rutgers go all the way to the big stage and now is playing in the SEC.
00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.000
Yeah.
00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:58.640
So you know, some uh some of my high school friends or even teammates that I had last year have been like, dude, I can't believe it.
00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:00.799
Like, you're in the SEC, look what you're doing.
00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:03.839
And I'm like, yeah, man, but like it's still me.
00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:05.920
Like, you know, like I'm still your boy.
00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:09.920
Um, I'm not, I haven't, I'm not anyone different than I was.
00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:16.079
Um, and and to be able to share time like that with with some of my friends from back home is cool.
00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:18.160
Um trying to get him out here.
00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:22.799
I got a I got a friend who goes to ETSU, and I've played with him since I was like eight years old.
00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.279
That's all.
00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:28.640
So I was able to get him here a couple times and uh get a little bit of that feeling of home here.
00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.039
Yeah.
00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:31.839
But um is your family able to make it down?
00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:35.200
Pop Pops makes it to a lot of a lot of games.
00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:40.640
Um we've gotten my sister, my my mom, and uh my dogs down here a couple times too.
00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.200
Sweet.
00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:45.039
But you know, I have two Avenue's poodles and they can be a handful.
00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.640
Oh my gosh, especially in the car.
00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:48.640
Oh, that's and that's a long drive.
00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:51.279
Yeah, so about ten and a half hours.
00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:52.240
That's a long drive.
00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:52.640
Yeah.
00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:56.240
Maybe though, because the weather is a little bit nicer here, they'll want like a little escape from the cold.
00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:59.039
Like, hey, it's gonna be like 80 degrees this week.
00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:01.759
And if you want to go take them, taking a game.
00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.720
Yeah, absolutely.
00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:07.759
In your Tennessee debut, you punched out nine and gave up just one run over six innings.
00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:13.359
What do you remember about that moment stepping on the mound for the first time as Tennessee volunteer?
00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:18.319
Yeah, I I definitely had butterflies in my stomach leading up to that.
00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:24.079
Um, and and usually that's one I do pretty good, but I still had butterflies in the first inning.
00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:30.960
So the first inning was a little rough, but was able to to get through that and kind of settle in playing, you know.
00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:33.839
And I've never played in a stadium that big before.
00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:40.720
So to be able to settle in there and we kind of figured it out and like I said, play freely and it was a good good day.
00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:44.559
And it's a beautiful stadium, like all of the renovations that they did.
00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:50.160
I mean, I can only imagine taking it all in and like there's fans like almost all the way around you guys.
00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:53.200
Like, yeah, yeah, it's such an awesome environment over there.
00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:57.279
It feels like a like a big dome and it kind of like towers over you, but it's cool.
00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:57.680
I love it.
00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.680
Oh my gosh, no, it's beautiful.
00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:10.480
Um, I want to talk too about your journey with your type one diabetes because you've been pretty open about it, which I think is an amazing thing that you're really championing it for those who also look up to you.
00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:14.799
Um, but your message has always been the same and that it doesn't define you.
00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:31.839
How has managing that responsibility also though helped shape your discipline, not just in baseball, but also in life, having to take care of yourself in a way that I would imagine most college students don't, you know, get that, get those habits formed, you know, in these years of life.
00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:37.839
Yeah, I think, you know, the maturation kind of came early because, you know, you don't really have a choice.
00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:40.480
You have to deal with those things.
00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:44.720
Um, but you know, I haven't been able to do it on my own the entire time.
00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:51.119
I've had the support of my parents, um, and they've been everything I could ever ask for.
00:29:51.279 --> 00:30:00.079
Um, but also athletes, uh Sam Fold was the first uh type one diabetic baseball player that I had ever heard of.
00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:09.519
Um and then recently, or not recently, shortly after that, okay, uh Devin Smelter, um, he's a pitcher who was diagnosed with uh cancer.
00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:13.920
Um so I had a couple people to look up to to help me through that process.
00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:21.519
And you know, I'm I'm hoping and I'm looking to to you know be a a Devin Smelter or Sam Fold to to anyone.
00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:26.400
Um I'd love it if people came up and asked questions, you know, I'd want to help them out.
00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.279
Yeah.
00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:33.519
There's also a really interesting story from the fr your first Friday night start against LSU, right?
00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:35.839
I heard about it a little bit from the radio.
00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:43.680
If you just want to like give the breakdown of what happened, because I think it's like a reality that many people don't realize you're managing in real time.
00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.400
Yeah.
00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:55.519
Um, so I I wear two devices, um, one of which is on my arm, and uh that reads my blood sugar levels, uh, and the other is kind of like an IV needle.
00:30:55.920 --> 00:31:04.079
Um and I wear insulin pump, and it the insulin kind of goes through tubing and then through the needle um that I wear.
00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:08.559
And uh yeah, so I think it was third or fourth inning.
00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:18.960
Um I had just struck out John Pearson, I believe it was, and I kind of celebrated, and then I felt the needle kind of pop out and then go back in.
00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:21.759
I was like, ooh, like that didn't feel very good.
00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:26.400
So uh I believe the next batter was Zach York, and I fell behind 3-0.
00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:30.480
It was just the needle was going out, back in, out, back in, out, back in.
00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:33.599
And I was like, every time you threw the ball out and in.
00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:38.960
Yeah, and and I think the the commentators had said that it looked like it was my oblique or something.
00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:41.119
They're like, oh, his Velo's not down though.
00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.400
Like, what could it be?
00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:46.400
So yeah, I could understand, like, that's a pretty confusing moment for a lot of people.
00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:54.079
Uh, but yeah, my trainer came out, uh, E came out, uh, the umpire came over, infield came in, and they were like, Hey, you're alright.
00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:57.759
And I'm like, Yeah, this needle just keeps popping out and going back in.
00:31:57.839 --> 00:32:01.279
I feel like I'm getting a flu shot every time I I throw a pitch.
00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.000
Oh my goodness.
00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:06.160
Um, but I was like, all right, like I'm just gonna rip it out.
00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:14.400
And so they're like, all right, tight circle, kind of undid my my jersey and my belt, and uh, I just kind of ripped the needle off.
00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:31.359
And uh fortunately, the next pitch in 3-0 count, he was green light and and swung, uh, got a pop-up, got out of that inning, and uh, I just went back with Woody, the trainer, and was able to get a fresh one on and uh yeah, rode out the rest of that.
00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.400
Oh my goodness.
00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:36.480
Has that ever happened to you before playing baseball or have you had any similar instances?
00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:41.839
Yeah, um back when uh I used to swing it a little bit as a position player.
00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:50.160
Um I dove into I think I stole third or something like that, and I dove in the to the base and it like ripped the needle off.
00:32:50.319 --> 00:33:00.720
Um I've had situations where I was wearing my CGM on my throwing arm and uh I was in the middle of pitching and it just kind of flew off my arm while I was throwing.
00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:10.559
Um it's funny because the first time it happened my freshman year, I came in uh as a reliever to close out a coaches versus cancer tournament game.
00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:16.720
It was a pretty big game against uh my school, Bishop Eustace, and uh I think Jackson Memorial.
00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:20.079
It was pretty two pretty big teams in Jersey.
00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:29.599
And uh yeah, I threw a pitch and it flew off, and I was kind of grabbing my arm, and my high school coach thought I blew out like at Tommy John.
00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:35.920
Oh and so he was losing his mind, and I was like, no, no, no, like I'm good, my arm is fine, I'm completely healthy.
00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:37.759
This thing just fell off my arm.
00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:43.039
And uh, so yeah, he I got his blood pressure up pretty high during that.
00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:56.240
But um, yeah, no, I've I've I've definitely had my fair share of obstacles throughout my career, but uh, you know, have had the resources to be able to bounce back from it easily, and then also uh, you know, hopefully sharing this story.
00:33:56.400 --> 00:34:01.119
Yeah, you know, some people can can relate to it and also feel free to reach out for help.
00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:23.519
Well, and I was gonna say, what's been like the the the biggest or the best way that you've been able to overcome these challenges and not let it like you like I mean you say it doesn't define you, but like truly not let it define you and being able to push through of like, oh no big deal, like we'll just get it taken care of, where I feel like some other people it might be hard to look past those setbacks.
00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:26.400
Yeah, it's definitely intimidating.
00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:37.599
Um but uh you know, I I know people have been there before, um and I have tremendous amounts of help by my side uh everywhere.
00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:40.559
So I I never really freak out about it, you know.
00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.199
I don't know.
00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:44.719
It's just we're I think being prepared is the biggest thing.
00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:45.039
Yeah.
00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:48.719
Um, if you're not prepared, you're preparing to fail.
00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:54.880
Uh but yeah, I've had all the resources around me and staying prepared, it's I never really freak out about it.
00:34:55.119 --> 00:35:06.800
When you sit back and you think about it, how great is it to be able to be a role model, maybe not even knowingly, to kids who are watching Tennessee baseball and seeing, like, oh my goodness, if he can do it, why can't I?
00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:11.199
Yeah, I I've I've gotten a couple of DMs from some younger guys.
00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:13.920
Um type one diabetics and not.
00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:22.639
Um and for me, it's the greatest feeling in the world to know that you know that they look up to me in that way.
00:35:22.719 --> 00:35:23.039
Yeah.
00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:26.480
Um you know, that people care in that way.
00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:30.079
And it's I don't it's it's awesome.
00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:31.280
I don't have words for it.
00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.480
It's just such a good feeling.
00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:36.800
Coming from New Jersey to Tennessee was obviously like a really big move.
00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:42.800
I mean, that's a 10-hour drive from home versus a 40-minute drive when you were uh back at Wreckers.
00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:52.719
How important has your family, your community, um, high school coaches just been supporting you through this entire journey to get you to where you are today?
00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:57.119
Yeah, with family, I talk to my mom and dad every day pretty much.
00:35:57.599 --> 00:36:01.119
Um and so they know the ins and outs of my life.
00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:08.000
Um but yeah, having the support from coaches back home every once in a while, checking in, you know, how is stuff going?
00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:12.079
Uh if you ever need help with anything, you know, reach out, let me know.
00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:22.400
Um but it's it's a good more just a good feeling for me to know that I have that support and people think of me, uh, even though I might not be in their life anymore.
00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:25.760
Um it's I don't it just it feels great.
00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:30.639
What's been the best part about being on Rocky Top this past year?
00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:43.679
Uh I'm I I really think the biggest two is is just the support behind baseball, but the support behind the university as a whole.
00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:53.280
Um the amount of fans that that show up, you know, no matter how good or bad we're playing, that's just that they care and they want to see us win.
00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:59.039
Uh but you know, the tremendous support behind the football team, the basketball team.
00:36:59.280 --> 00:37:05.199
Like it's just been my dream to to go and play for a school where like the people care, the people want you to succeed.
00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:05.599
And yeah.
00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:12.719
I feed off of it, like as much as you know, maybe it doesn't seem like they're they think they're doing anything, they're just cheering.
00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:20.239
Like, I seriously, a lot of my success comes off of the the brighter lights, and I love uh the support that we have.
00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:22.000
It's it's truly amazing.
00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:30.800
It is pretty incredible here at the University of Tennessee seeing it across not just the big five, but like all of our athletic programs.
00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:33.199
There is so much support across them all.
00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:42.960
I mean, the there'll be times too where the rowing team will be going and practicing in the morning and cars will like be honking and you know, cheering them on or like by the park that happened to me the other weekend.
00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:46.400
I was in Sequoia Hills and they were coming by and people were stopping and pointing and waving at them.
00:37:46.559 --> 00:37:57.360
So it goes across the entire athletic department, and it is so it's so it's so noticeable to your point of like how strongly this community bleeds orange for the University of Tennessee.
00:37:57.760 --> 00:38:00.800
The fans traveling too, I think that's something that needs to be noted.
00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:08.159
Um whether we go to Texas and we're playing in the Rangers Stadium or we go to Mississippi State, whatever it is, they always show.
00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:11.599
It's just I I I can't believe it.
00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:15.920
It I don't I don't understand it, but I don't want it to change.
00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:16.800
You know what I mean?
00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:24.079
I I they go out on a limb, they go to extreme measures to be able to support us, and it's just such a great feeling.
00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:24.559
Right.
00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:29.440
Yeah, whether it's on the road, whether it's at home, whether it's a midweek, they will be there.
00:38:29.679 --> 00:38:30.079
They're there.
00:38:30.239 --> 00:38:30.800
They're there.
00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:38.000
Uh is there one moment that stands out to you the most um when you look back on the season so far that is pretty special.
00:38:38.719 --> 00:38:45.920
I'm gonna say uh the announcement of E being our head coach, um, I think that really set a tone for us.
00:38:46.000 --> 00:38:48.639
That was a top moment in my baseball career.
00:38:48.800 --> 00:38:51.840
We we wanted it for him, for his family.
00:38:52.159 --> 00:38:58.639
Um, but we you know, it was there was no one more deserving of that role um than him.
00:38:58.880 --> 00:39:05.599
And like I said, the the eruption that we had in our team meeting room, that was just an amazing moment.
00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:08.159
And like I said, set the tone for for this year.
00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:12.960
And I think you're still in the middle of the season, like we haven't even finished year one fully for you.
00:39:13.280 --> 00:39:26.719
But what does it what does it truly mean to you to be a volunteer, to play under some of the brightest lights, um, and only your second year in collegiate baseball and to be representing the power tee?
00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:32.239
Yeah, and I I think there's a lot of people that that hate us because they ain't us, you know.
00:39:32.639 --> 00:39:36.559
Um but we feed off of that and and we love it.
00:39:36.719 --> 00:39:40.480
Um but it's just I don't know.
00:39:40.880 --> 00:39:45.360
I feel like it I don't know how it can't be everyone's dream to come play baseball for Tennessee.
00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:49.519
I I'm I'm extremely blessed that I'm here and I love every bit of it.
00:39:49.840 --> 00:39:51.199
What would little Landon think?
00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:54.639
Oh my gosh, he'd be flipping his lid.
00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:57.039
Yeah, he he would love it.
00:39:57.199 --> 00:40:00.400
He'd be like he's the coolest guy ever.
00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:07.519
He might be upset that you know we are a pitcher and we don't hit anymore.
00:40:07.679 --> 00:40:10.559
But I think aside from that, he'd be super happy.
00:40:10.880 --> 00:40:11.039
Right.
00:40:11.119 --> 00:40:14.400
I think he'd be able to let that one go when he realizes like the reason.
00:40:15.360 --> 00:40:17.599
The ceiling was higher, throwing the ball, not hitting it.
00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:19.119
Yeah, so it's okay.
00:40:19.280 --> 00:40:19.920
It's okay.
00:40:20.079 --> 00:40:21.119
We'll let that one go.
00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:22.800
But Landon, thanks so much.
00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:23.599
Thanks for the time.
00:40:23.679 --> 00:40:25.519
It was so great getting to know you off the field.
00:40:25.599 --> 00:40:27.199
I know our fans are gonna enjoy it too.
00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:28.800
And good luck the rest of the way.
00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:30.880
We're cheering you all on and can't wait to see what you do.
00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:31.679
Thank you so much.
00:40:31.840 --> 00:40:32.880
It's a pleasure being here.
00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:33.840
Thank you.
00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:04.559
Yeah, and I think there's a lot of people that that hate us because they ain't us.
00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:07.440
But we feed off of that and and we love it.
00:00:07.599 --> 00:00:09.199
But it's just I don't know.
00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:13.759
I feel like it I don't know how it can't be everyone's dream to come play baseball for Tennessee.
00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:18.000
I I'm I'm extremely blessed that I'm here and I love every bit of it.
00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:27.280
Hey y'all, welcome back to the Everything Orange podcast.
00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:38.960
I hope everyone was able to enjoy some great Tennessee athletics this weekend, whether it was spring football, whether it was track and field, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, you name it.
00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:41.200
We had so much going on this past weekend.
00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:51.119
And particularly what an exciting weekend for baseball getting the sweep down in Starkville, Mississippi over the Bulldogs, the number nine team-ranked program in the country.
00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:59.280
And one of the guys on the roster, a youngin' in this pitching staff, was able to make a big impact in only his second Friday start of the season.
00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:02.000
He brings so much energy to the mount.
00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:07.760
He's got such a competitive spirit, and he just loves having fun playing the game with his guys.
00:01:07.920 --> 00:01:11.519
And he's here on the podcast today to talk about all things Tennessee baseball.
00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:15.040
So please welcome to the Everything Orange podcast, Landon Mac.
00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:17.920
Landon Mack, welcome to the Everything Orange Podcast.
00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:18.959
Thank you very much.
00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:20.159
Happy to be here.
00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:21.599
We're so happy to have you here.
00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:23.280
We haven't really talked to baseball in a hot second.
00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:27.599
So I'm really excited to dive into this season and get to know you a little bit more off the field as well.
00:01:27.680 --> 00:01:31.439
But to start, I have some questions to get to know you in about 60 seconds.
00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:35.439
So the first question I have is what is one place you'd love to visit?
00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:36.959
Japan.
00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:37.760
Wow.
00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:38.959
I wasn't expecting that.
00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:40.000
Why Japan?
00:01:40.319 --> 00:01:42.239
I I think the culture is very cool.
00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:45.519
I think like how technologically advanced they are.
00:01:45.599 --> 00:01:47.280
I think it would be just a cool place to visit.
00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:48.400
That would be awesome.
00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:48.959
Yeah.
00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:51.439
Your favorite non-baseball athlete?
00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:53.040
I'm gonna go Grant Horvat.
00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:54.000
He's a YouTuber.
00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:54.400
Okay.
00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:58.879
He doesn't play professionally, but he's a golfer and he does like golf content on YouTube.
00:01:59.120 --> 00:01:59.840
Okay, really cool.
00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:01.040
Did you watch the Masters?
00:02:01.120 --> 00:02:05.840
Did you just see any of it while you're I've been yeah, we had it on the bus yesterday when we were when we were coming back home.
00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:07.599
Uh go to hype song.
00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:08.879
Ooh.
00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:13.840
Um, I'm gonna go Dreams and Nightmares by Mink Mill.
00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:15.439
Are you like, is that your style of music?
00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:15.840
Do you prefer?
00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:17.439
Have you gotten used to like country music?
00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:18.000
Oh yeah.
00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:18.560
Oh yeah.
00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:22.639
I I have a very uh I would say wide variety of music.
00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:23.919
Yeah, I kind of like everything.
00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:24.800
Okay, good.
00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:29.120
Are you watching a show right now, or is there one that you would really recommend?
00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:36.400
You know, I I'm not too much of a show watcher.
00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:40.800
I I could tell you, like in recent years, I was into Invincible.
00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:44.800
It was like a comic action kind of show.
00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:48.479
Um but but recently I haven't been into TV shows.
00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:50.400
Do you have anything like that I should watch?
00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:56.960
You know, um Black Rabbit on Netflix is really good.
00:02:57.199 --> 00:03:01.599
Um, I'm watching the Stephen King 112263 show.
00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:02.080
Whoa.
00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:03.759
Yeah, complex name.
00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:04.479
It is.
00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:08.800
It's as if they go back in time and save JFK Jr.
00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:11.039
No, JFK from being assassinated.
00:03:11.360 --> 00:03:12.319
That actually sounds sick.
00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:13.680
Yeah, it's really good.
00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:18.400
I watched uh Love Story, which it was JFK Jr.'s I'm watching that right now.
00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:19.280
That's that's pretty good.
00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:20.800
Okay, did you finish it?
00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:22.800
Uh like I'm close.
00:03:22.960 --> 00:03:23.599
Okay, okay.
00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:27.120
Um that's a good cool connection.
00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:28.319
That sounds interesting.
00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:28.719
Yes.
00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:31.199
Your favorite jersey number you've worn.
00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:33.680
Uh I've had two jersey numbers in my life.
00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:35.599
I had 27, I've had 18.
00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:37.680
I wear 18 now, it's my dad's number.
00:03:37.919 --> 00:03:38.400
Oh, nice.
00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:42.639
Uh, and then I wore 27 when I was much younger because Mike Trout wore it.
00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:45.039
I wanted to be like Mike Trout.
00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:47.439
Um, and also my sister's birthday.
00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:51.280
She was born September on the 27th, so that was kind of her lucky number.
00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:52.000
Yeah.
00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:53.039
But very nice.
00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:55.919
One word your teammates would use to describe you.
00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:01.680
I don't even know.
00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:06.639
I don't uh I would go with I guess outgoing.
00:04:06.800 --> 00:04:09.039
I like I like to I like to hang out with everyone.
00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:11.840
So easy going, just there for the vibes.
00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:15.039
That's boring, it's basic, but I guess that's what it's like.
00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:15.759
That's a good one.
00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:16.079
Yeah.
00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:19.600
Your favorite hobby or activity when you're not playing baseball?
00:04:20.160 --> 00:04:21.279
Cars and golf.
00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:22.720
Those are my two heavy hitters.
00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:23.199
Okay.
00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:28.399
So when it comes to cars, what do you do to fix them up?
00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:32.720
I I just enjoy like seeing cars driving by.
00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:42.160
It sounds boring, but cars driving by where like it's been worked on because like I can respect like the amount of time and effort that it takes that like they put it's like an artwork kind of.
00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:42.639
Yeah.
00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:49.920
Um and uh yeah, I got a truck and I love doing stuff to my truck, and I kind of inherited that from my parents.
00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:51.519
My parents were both car people.
00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:52.079
Okay.
00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:54.720
Um actually they both raced.
00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:58.720
My mom had a Pontiac Trans Am, my dad had a an old Camaro.
00:04:58.800 --> 00:04:59.759
And wow.
00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:01.439
So it was it's kind of like in our board.
00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:02.079
It's in the family.
00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:03.199
We love we love cars.
00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:04.240
That's really cool.
00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:04.879
Wow.
00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:06.720
And then golfing, you just enjoy doing that.
00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:17.279
Like, yeah, it's like it's a nice, nice hobby just to you know, kind of forget about everything and kind of be frustrated about how bad you are at it because it's really hard.
00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.439
But I no, it's a fun time.
00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:21.199
I love playing golf, especially with the guys.
00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:21.839
It's a lot of fun.
00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:25.839
A good thing to do, like team bonding and stuff off the field, get away from baseball for a little bit.
00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:29.120
And with the weather, like so nice down here, like there's so many good places.
00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:38.959
Back home in Jersey where I'm from, it's I think it's starting to get warm now, but I but like the weather there now is probably what it was like a month ago here.
00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:39.839
Oh my gosh, yeah.
00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:40.720
I bet you're loving that.
00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:41.199
How important?
00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:43.199
No, this weather is awesome.
00:05:43.279 --> 00:05:43.839
I love it.
00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:46.720
And last question your dream stadium to pitch in.
00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:50.480
I I would go to Citizens Bank Park as a Philadelphia Philly.
00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:50.800
Okay.
00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:52.240
With the stadium packed out.
00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:54.160
I think like that's my hometown.
00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:54.480
Yeah.
00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:58.240
Um, so I think that would be awesome to be able to pitch there.
00:05:58.560 --> 00:05:59.680
That'd be so awesome.
00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:00.560
Well, great.
00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:01.519
Okay, that was awesome.
00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:03.360
Getting to know you a little bit more off the field.
00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:07.120
I want to start now by just recapping where we're at in the season so far.
00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:11.199
So, overall, the team is 24 and 12 on the season, seven and eight in conference.
00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:17.360
But how would you describe how the experience has been for you and for the team so far on this ride?
00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:21.199
I've had the most fun I've had in my life playing baseball here.
00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:28.240
Um, our team culture, our fans, just being in the SEC, this level of competition.
00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:31.439
Um, I've had a blast doing it all.
00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:34.959
And uh especially sweeping Mississippi State.
00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:35.680
That feels pretty good.
00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:37.839
Yeah, and I want to talk about that.
00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:39.199
I want to talk about that even more.
00:06:39.279 --> 00:06:42.720
Um, because we are coming off such an incredible weekend from this past weekend.
00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:47.199
But first, we went through some not so great to get on the other side as well.
00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:59.439
So I want to talk about that because I feel like that's such an important part of the story as well, like overcoming that, because we had some really tough battles and some series to start off conference with Georgia, the walk-offs with Vanderbilt and the extra innings with LSU.
00:06:59.519 --> 00:07:11.120
But how was this team just able to stay together and keep moving forward, knowing that uh if you didn't lose sight of what was ahead, like you could have great success like we saw this past weekend?
00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:16.720
Yeah, the theme uh E-Learner's been telling us is everything's right in front of us, which it is, and it still is.
00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:27.519
Um, but you know, we've we've battled a decent amount of adversity with you know losing our head coach and and pitching coach and strength and conditioning coach.
00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:42.639
But uh, I think that just kind of shows the how much value there is in like we're no stranger to adversity, and you know, we went through some tough times, but that doesn't mean that you know we we fold um when it comes to that stuff.
00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:45.199
We have the the character on our team.
00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:57.519
Um we got guys that just want to compete, want to win, and you know it weekends like this will happen where you know we have a couple tough weekends, but we're gonna come back out on the other side.
00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:00.160
Yeah, and you're building to what is to come.
00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:05.360
But you made a great point too about like the adversity that this team has faced wasn't you know fresh when the season started.
00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:10.560
Like you kind of have been going through it all year and you've been figuring it out and and the positive to take away from it all.
00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:22.079
So then you come into this weekend, this past weekend, down in Starkville, a really tough road environment to playing a number nine team in the country, and you don't just win the series, you go down there and sweep them.
00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:28.000
How were you guys able to stay at such an elite level of competition Friday through Sunday to get the job done?
00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:35.360
Yeah, I think guys just knowing what their own individual task is, uh knowing their role and fulfilling it.
00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:45.519
Um, I think this was definitely a weekend where we kind of played collectively uh, you know, to uh an amazing level.
00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:47.679
Um, was that the best we've played?
00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:48.879
No, we were better than that.
00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:50.320
I can tell you that for sure.
00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:58.799
And but the fact that, you know, everyone can kind of know their role and and knows what the task is at hand, go and and fulfill it.
00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:04.080
I think, you know, if we if we stay, you know, along those lines, we're gonna have a great rest of the season.
00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:06.799
How does that build the confidence of this group too?
00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:12.559
Because you're saying, you're sitting here saying, like, yeah, that was great, but I know we have even so much more to give.
00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:19.519
What does that do for the team morale to see all of that success fall into place as you move ahead through conference play?
00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:23.759
Yeah, I think two sides of it is like one there, living in the moment.
00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:28.000
Like it's really important to enjoy those things uh when they happen.
00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:38.080
Um and two, the reflection piece, like there's there's guys where hey, maybe we got a little sped up or or we didn't execute here.
00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:50.720
You get very nitpicky about things, but then to be able to nitpick and and then go and work on that throughout the next week, we got old miss coming up, and then you know, how can we then go and execute that against Ole Miss?
00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:54.960
Um, or Alabama or Texas, whatever the following weekends are.
00:09:55.360 --> 00:10:08.000
So um, yeah, kind of just being able to reflect and and nitpick because these guys are extremely skillful and talented, and uh it's it's kind of just seeing how how good can you get.
00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:08.639
Mm-hmm.
00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:11.519
Yeah, and this is the time of the year to do it as well.
00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:12.159
Absolutely.
00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:24.000
Coach Elander, we saw that video of him celebrating with you guys after the win on Sunday, and you can tell how proud he is of this group and how badly he wants to see all of the right things fall into place.
00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:29.679
What does that do for the team morale of this group to see like the win start to fall in place?
00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:34.399
Because we know this group is so talented, just hasn't always gone the right direction depending on the day.
00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:40.320
But to see it all play out the way that it did, how does that boost morale going into the second half of the regular season?
00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:52.240
Yeah, he is uh he's a guy where where like in the mo moments like those, I would say one when he got picked as coach, and two him in the huddle right there.
00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:56.320
Those were like my top two experiences here just because of how fired up he is.
00:10:56.720 --> 00:11:02.399
And as a player, I I love that my coach cares and and wants us to win that much.
00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:05.600
Um, but is also gonna enjoy it with us like that.
00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:08.240
So uh I I love him.
00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:16.000
He's been great, and uh, I know the role that he the shoes that he's had to fill are big shoes, but yeah, he's done a great job.
00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:16.799
I love him.
00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:21.919
I know all the guys love him, so we're very happy to to kind of get the ball rolling the way it is.
00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:29.759
Baseball's obviously a long season, and we've seen other teams in the past recently for Tennessee baseball have a similar start.
00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:40.559
Were there any conversations around maybe the 2023 team and how like that team started off five and ten in the regular season, were able to turn things around at the right time and make it all the way to Omaha.
00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:55.759
Were there any leaders in the group or just reminders of like, hey, like this season really just began and there is still so much time for us to figure things out, get better in the different areas we need to, and have a great success at the end in the postseason as well.
00:11:56.080 --> 00:12:04.080
Yeah, I think the theme of um, you know, living in the moment and and not looking ahead too far has definitely, you know, been common.
00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:18.639
Um and yes, people have uh, you know, compared us to the 23 team and what have you, but um I think we do a good job of kind of filtering out all the exterior uh noise and we're just kind of focused on one game at a time.
00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.320
We know we can make it to Omaha.
00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:20.720
Yeah.
00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:24.240
But you get there by focusing at the next task at hand.
00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:37.039
Right, by not getting, like you said, not getting too far ahead, just looking at the right here, right now, what do we need to do going into this weekend series or whatever it might be and getting the job done first before we can look all the way to the future.
00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:37.519
Yeah.
00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:43.440
Um, but how good does it feel to start to see these things click like they did this weekend back to back to back?
00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:50.399
Yeah, no, I think definitely the roles being filled, like kind of knowing like who should be put in and where.
00:12:50.480 --> 00:13:03.039
I I think we're playing as a team amazing right now, and I love to see the success of all my teammates and uh yeah, when we're winning games like that, I think uh I don't think anyone could be unhappy with what's going on.
00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:12.639
Where do you think the best improvements have been most recently that have really you know changed the um the outcome that we've seen so far from the group?
00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:23.600
Yeah, with the past couple of weekends, the the the struggle has been, you know, we we'll get ahead, but uh finishing the work and and you know to completion.
00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:24.000
Okay.
00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:37.360
Um so to be able to have uh you know not be complacent uh and stay locked in for all nine innings, I think is really one of the bigger things being able to to finish those games out and uh and hold the lead that we get.
00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:41.600
We're halfway through the regular season so far, which is kind of crazy to think already.
00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:44.559
Five series in, five series still to go.
00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:50.320
But what stands out to you the most about where this team is at right now as we sit middle of April?
00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:57.919
I think uh from you know, like a pitching perspective, the way the guys are executing, I think that is something that's definitely stuck out.
00:13:58.080 --> 00:14:03.759
Um, but then I think one thing that everyone can see from this past weekend was how consistent the bats were.
00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:09.200
And uh it's a lot of fun when those guys are hitting the ball the way they were.
00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:11.120
Um, but that's it's crucial.
00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:12.399
It's a big part of the game.
00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:16.240
And uh I think on both sides of the ball, really, it's it's it's been great.
00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:21.360
You're heading into your third Friday start of the season coming into this weekend against Ole Miss.
00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:33.679
How does the momentum of last weekend carry into this weekend, not just for you guys, but also for the fans um at Lindsay Nelson Stadium to have the next home series be in our home stadium?
00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:43.919
Yeah, I think the just the overall confidence of like, hey, you know, we took down, you know, a big team uh and used that momentum kind of into the next weekend.
00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.519
I think that's that's very important.
00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:52.720
Um, but also just trusting the work that we've already put in uh and we do put in throughout the week.
00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:56.080
Um, everyone should feel prepared and and ready to go.
00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:58.639
And it's a good feeling when you show up at Lindsay Nelson.
00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:01.120
How excited were you just coming off this past weekend?
00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:01.919
It was great.
00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:02.639
It was awesome.
00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:06.879
We our our our bus ride, our plane ride, bus ride back here.
00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:09.519
Um just good vibes the whole time.
00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.159
Yeah, yeah.
00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:13.200
Which this team like deserved to have a moment like that.
00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:16.960
So I'm so happy that things went so great this past weekend for you all.
00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:23.919
Let's talk about the pitching staff too, because from the outside, it looks like it is one of the most selfless groups in the country.
00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:27.600
Because in theory, there could be five starters out of this group of guys.
00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:30.000
There is so much talent in the room.
00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:35.440
What makes this group play together and work off of each other so well?
00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:38.000
I think a part of it's the bonding off the field.
00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:45.679
Um, wanting to like, I I love every one of those guys and I want to see them succeed just as much as I want to succeed.
00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:53.039
So no one has like any, you know, kind of saltiness where they're like, oh, you know, that should be me or anything like that.
00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:55.440
There it's just everyone's playing for one another.
00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.960
Um, and and for the power tea and and for E.
00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:01.759
You know, it's it's it's a great thing to see.
00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:06.000
What's it like to have a pairing two with Cam coming in and relieving you?
00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:10.639
And like how cool is it to have like that moment to share with him and one another?
00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:20.559
Yeah, so I think it's kind of funny because I kind of had always felt like like when we came in uh in the summer, I almost felt like a mentor to him.
00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:25.200
And now I don't really know if I can say that anymore because he's doing so good.
00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:28.960
Uh but no, I I'm I'm super proud of him.
00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:33.200
He he's got you know many things that he's gonna achieve in his career.
00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:36.720
He's got a long career ahead, and I love having him right behind me.
00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:38.720
Yeah, it's great, it makes me feel good.
00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:41.039
And Tegan is your roommate, right?
00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:52.720
And you guys uh like are in a unique and like a great position there too, where you started as a Saturday starter, he started as the Friday starter, now you guys have flip-flopped, your roommates, you're really good friends off the field.
00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:57.759
Like, just what's that dynamic like between you guys and like also kind of going through this whole process together?
00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:59.840
Yeah, I mean, we work together every day.
00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:07.039
Uh, I had said this in an interview after one of our first games that uh uh you know, we constantly push each other.
00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:22.160
And when I was in the Saturday spot, I I was saying, you know, I'm gonna push him as hard as I can, try to take the Friday spot, and I hope that he's gonna push me as hard as I can, or as yeah, push me as as much as I can, and uh try to take my my spot.
00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:28.640
And I think that dynamic of uh wanting it one for each other because we spend so much time together.
00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.119
Yeah.
00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:36.000
Um, but then also just that dynamic of pushing each other uh really, you know, keeps us going.
00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:45.039
Um but yeah, no, whether it's eating or we sports, M will be the show, whatever it is, it's always a competition.
00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.880
So uh I love that guy.
00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.440
He's awesome.
00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:50.000
How much baseball talk is there really, though, at home?
00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:53.200
Or like is it like we're off the field, please don't bring up baseball.
00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.880
Let's just like have fun and do whatever.
00:17:55.119 --> 00:18:01.200
Sometimes there there are there are times throughout the day where like, hey, like, you know, this really felt good or that really felt bad.
00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:06.400
Like we can bounce ideas off of each other because we're in very similar uh positions, right?
00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:12.400
Um, but for the most part, we keep baseball at the baseball field and life back at home.
00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.920
We just kind of hang out.
00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:15.680
Yeah, that's that's really nice.
00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:18.240
It's nice to have somebody like going through it with you at this point.
00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:18.960
Yeah, exactly.
00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:22.319
Because we're in such similar positions, so it's like easy to relate.
00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:22.960
Exactly.
00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:28.960
And it makes the whole transition, I'm sure, like coming down here, new team, new environment, just like feel less alone.
00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:32.480
Like you really have like your people around you supporting you and there for you.
00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:37.519
Um, and then you got a guy like Evan Blanco on Sundays, a veteran, Omaha experience.
00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:40.000
Like he has been there, done that over and time again.
00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:40.960
He's done it all.
00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:48.240
What have you learned working alongside him and being able to see like how he approaches the game and take away some pieces of that into your own?
00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:54.240
I think the one thing that stands out the most about Blanco is the work that he puts in off the field.
00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:58.799
Um, so that's what it's taking care of his body recovery throughout the week.
00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:11.839
Um, it's just the consistency uh of the work that he puts in um to make sure that like there's the analogy, you got 12 hours chopped down a forest, you spend 11 of them sharpening your blade.
00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:14.400
I think that's Blanco in a nutshell.
00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:19.920
He he prepares very well and it sets him up for success, and he deserves everything he's got.
00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:21.920
I've never heard that analogy before.
00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:23.680
Yeah, that's great though.
00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:27.920
You you spend 11 hours sharpening your blade, so it only takes you an hour to do the job.
00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.440
Is that like in theory what we're getting at?
00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.160
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.319
Yeah.
00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.720
Versus like just chopping away and all that.
00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.759
And it being difficult.
00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.720
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.759
That's really cool.
00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.400
That's great.
00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:42.000
Well, it's great that you have like a role model on the team and someone like who's been where you are now to be able to do that.
00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:44.079
He's he's a he's an open book.
00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:46.079
He he's definitely been through it all.
00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:52.559
So good guy for for guys like myself and even the the younger guys to to go to and ask for advice.
00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.519
That's so awesome.
00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:53.759
Yeah.
00:19:53.920 --> 00:20:03.839
Um, now growing up watching the game, what did you know about Tennessee baseball and maybe the history and the culture around the pitching at this program?
00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:08.799
Did you know much about it, or when did you kind of start to know more about Tennessee?
00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:18.559
Yeah, I think uh in in the house, you know, we started to turn on college baseball more than the major leagues, uh right around the age of 10, I would say.
00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:18.880
Okay.
00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:31.519
Just because let's be real, in major leagues, they're much more perfect, and you know, stuff doesn't happen, but in college ball, it's kind of exhilarating because not everything's perfect.
00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.000
Yes.
00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:41.839
Um, but I mean to have people like Luke Coachaver, Gary Crochet, those big names, um, go through the program, it draws a lot of attention to it.
00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:46.480
And yeah, it was, I mean, Tennessee has always been a school that I've wanted to go to.
00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:48.400
So I'm super happy that I'm here now.
00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:51.759
Well, and that's what I was gonna talk about like later, but you bring up a great point.
00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:55.920
It was like in a previous interview, you you talked about Tennessee being your dream school.
00:20:56.000 --> 00:21:03.599
Like, what was it from a young age that you saw about Tennessee baseball that you were like, oh my gosh, like I want to wear orange one day.
00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:08.000
To be honest with you, my sister is the one that brought attention to it.
00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.039
She loved the color.
00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:12.960
She was like, Tennessee is my favorite team because of the color.
00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.559
And so we always had it on.
00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:20.960
And I've just loved the culture, loved the the you know, electricity around Tennessee baseball.
00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:25.759
And I I don't know if really like I think everyone wants to go to Tennessee.
00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:27.519
I don't know who couldn't want to go there.
00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:29.200
The orange is probably the best.
00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.640
It's a great color.
00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:34.559
Hands down, like all the other shades do not compare it to Tennessee orange.
00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:35.359
She got that right.
00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:35.759
Yep.
00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:41.599
Um, earlier this season, Coach Elander compared you to one of the best pitchers in program history, Chase Dolander.
00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:49.440
What does it mean to be mentioned in that same conversation as a guy that's now playing in the majors and having a great career himself?
00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.839
Yeah, I think I can say all the right stuff.
00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:58.559
Like, I'm honored, but I I I really appreciate that he said it, but I also take it kind of as a challenge.
00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.759
Like, I want to try to.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.880
Fill those shoes.
00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:05.599
And I'm glad that he did because you know it keeps pushing me every day.
00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:07.839
Yeah, you were like, okay, coach, challenge accepted.
00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.319
Yeah.
00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:16.480
He also said you bring stability and that the defense has confidence playing behind you because you're because of your pace and how you attack hitters.
00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:23.039
What does that trust mean to you that your coach sees that in you to be able to go out there and get the job done?
00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.079
It means a lot.
00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:28.319
It gives me a lot of confidence to go out there and just play freely and do my thing.
00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:33.440
But also to have the connection with the infielders where, you know, we're all working together.
00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:36.480
Last year, actually, as a freshman, I was a two-way.
00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:41.119
So I got a little bit of, you know, some soft hands, some infield hands.
00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:44.319
Um but yeah, to be able to work with those guys is awesome.
00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:46.640
They make it really easy to do my job.
00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:49.680
From the outside, too, you play with a lot of energy.
00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:54.480
You're obviously super competitive, and like you have so much emotion on the mound.
00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:56.640
How would you describe yourself?
00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:58.240
Um, your pitching style.
00:22:58.559 --> 00:23:00.000
Yeah, everything's authentic.
00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:02.640
I think in high school is kind of where it all started.
00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.279
Yeah.
00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:08.160
Um I think a lot of people would describe me as full of myself in high school.
00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:12.799
But uh no, I I like I said, everything's authentic.
00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.559
I I'm just having fun.
00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:16.400
Uh I love love doing it.
00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:23.680
I mean, I think Reese had had the catch against LSU in right field, and like I almost threw my glove over the net.
00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.599
And like, I I don't know.
00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.119
It's I I blacked out.
00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:36.400
I don't really remember throwing my glove, but it's just it's the role emotion of playing in front of our our fan base and you know, with our team and everything.
00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.200
It's just a great time.
00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:41.519
Yeah, there's so much like electricity pulsing through Lindsay Nelson.
00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:45.039
You can't help but just get involved in it as well yourself.
00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:47.119
Um, so let's talk about your journey to Tennessee.
00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:50.880
We kind of touched on it for a second, but you were born and raised, right, in New Jersey, born and raised?
00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:52.480
Princeton, New Jersey is where I was born.
00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.079
Jersey kid through and through.
00:23:54.160 --> 00:24:01.519
You started your career at Wreckers, and as a true freshman, you became a Friday starter, throwing 80 innings with 70 strikeouts and just seven walks.
00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:10.480
Take me back to freshman year and what kind of allowed you to play so free and with so much fun and have the success that you did year one.
00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:20.160
Yeah, I think uh the the vibe uh last year was kind of just, you know, a group of a group of friends that are going out to play baseball.
00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:23.839
Um, you know, we didn't really know what the expectation was for us.
00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:27.279
So we kind of were like, hey, let's prove everyone wrong.
00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:35.119
Um and I I don't know, it's just kind of that not lack of care, but it's just like if it doesn't work, it doesn't work.
00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:37.440
I'm just gonna go and you know, give it my best.
00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:39.039
And I think that's kind of how we played.
00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:41.119
We had a pretty good year.
00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:45.519
Um, and and for me personally, yeah, that was just kind of the same theme.
00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:48.319
I was just like, here's my stuff and deal with it.
00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:53.119
Um, and I think that's kind of I've been able to translate that over here a little bit.
00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:57.759
Yeah, it kind of seems like you were like, I mean, what do I have to lose?
00:24:57.920 --> 00:25:00.160
Like, I'm just gonna go out there and play and have fun.
00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.640
Yeah, exactly.
00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:10.799
And obviously, all the cards fell where they did because you entered the portal, and it seemed like everyone was just trying to get a chance to chomp the bit with you.
00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:16.400
What was it about Tennessee though, that you were like, sorry, everyone, I know where I'm gonna go.
00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.440
It's not there.
00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:21.279
I I think definitely the relationship with the coaches here.
00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:39.119
Um, when V was here, and actually the phone call that I was going to make to tell him I was committing here, um it he picks up the phone, and before I can even say anything, he goes, Please don't tell me you're asking me for my ESPN uh login to watch UFC.
00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:41.440
Because we have been talking about UFC a good bit.
00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:56.240
We had a lot of common interests, and it's just it speaks a lot to the kind of culture we have here where, you know, with the coaches that we have now, E and and and Ren and and everyone, um, you know, there's obviously a hierarchy.
00:25:56.319 --> 00:26:03.599
Uh I don't want to say that we're peers, but it it has that friend like feeling where I feel extremely comfortable around my coaches.
00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:07.839
They know, you know, when it, hey, it's it's time to to to work.
00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:15.119
Um, but yeah, just kind of the the resources that they are for us to be able to go and talk to them about anything.
00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:19.359
Uh, but yeah, that relationship that you know the players have with the coaches is special.
00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.160
Yeah.
00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:28.000
And obviously, like it was so intentional and like it went it obviously went beyond the field because it made you still want to stay here after everything that happened in the fall as well.
00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:31.200
You were like, I'm I'm here and I'm going to be a volunteer.
00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:35.200
What did your family think when you made the decision to come to Tennessee?
00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:37.920
They were extremely happy, especially my sister.
00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:40.240
She's like, I told you so.
00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.119
Yeah, yeah.
00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:43.599
What about the community too at home?
00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:51.359
Who gets to see the the kid from you know our hometown who started at Rutgers go all the way to the big stage and now is playing in the SEC.
00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.000
Yeah.
00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:58.640
So you know, some uh some of my high school friends or even teammates that I had last year have been like, dude, I can't believe it.
00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:00.799
Like, you're in the SEC, look what you're doing.
00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:03.839
And I'm like, yeah, man, but like it's still me.
00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:05.920
Like, you know, like I'm still your boy.
00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:09.920
Um, I'm not, I haven't, I'm not anyone different than I was.
00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:16.079
Um, and and to be able to share time like that with with some of my friends from back home is cool.
00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:18.160
Um trying to get him out here.
00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:22.799
I got a I got a friend who goes to ETSU, and I've played with him since I was like eight years old.
00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.279
That's all.
00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:28.640
So I was able to get him here a couple times and uh get a little bit of that feeling of home here.
00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.039
Yeah.
00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:31.839
But um is your family able to make it down?
00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:35.200
Pop Pops makes it to a lot of a lot of games.
00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:40.640
Um we've gotten my sister, my my mom, and uh my dogs down here a couple times too.
00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.200
Sweet.
00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:45.039
But you know, I have two Avenue's poodles and they can be a handful.
00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.640
Oh my gosh, especially in the car.
00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:48.640
Oh, that's and that's a long drive.
00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:51.279
Yeah, so about ten and a half hours.
00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:52.240
That's a long drive.
00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:52.640
Yeah.
00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:56.240
Maybe though, because the weather is a little bit nicer here, they'll want like a little escape from the cold.
00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:59.039
Like, hey, it's gonna be like 80 degrees this week.
00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:01.759
And if you want to go take them, taking a game.
00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.720
Yeah, absolutely.
00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:07.759
In your Tennessee debut, you punched out nine and gave up just one run over six innings.
00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:13.359
What do you remember about that moment stepping on the mound for the first time as Tennessee volunteer?
00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:18.319
Yeah, I I definitely had butterflies in my stomach leading up to that.
00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:24.079
Um, and and usually that's one I do pretty good, but I still had butterflies in the first inning.
00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:30.960
So the first inning was a little rough, but was able to to get through that and kind of settle in playing, you know.
00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:33.839
And I've never played in a stadium that big before.
00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:40.720
So to be able to settle in there and we kind of figured it out and like I said, play freely and it was a good good day.
00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:44.559
And it's a beautiful stadium, like all of the renovations that they did.
00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:50.160
I mean, I can only imagine taking it all in and like there's fans like almost all the way around you guys.
00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:53.200
Like, yeah, yeah, it's such an awesome environment over there.
00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:57.279
It feels like a like a big dome and it kind of like towers over you, but it's cool.
00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:57.680
I love it.
00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.680
Oh my gosh, no, it's beautiful.
00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:10.480
Um, I want to talk too about your journey with your type one diabetes because you've been pretty open about it, which I think is an amazing thing that you're really championing it for those who also look up to you.
00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:14.799
Um, but your message has always been the same and that it doesn't define you.
00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:31.839
How has managing that responsibility also though helped shape your discipline, not just in baseball, but also in life, having to take care of yourself in a way that I would imagine most college students don't, you know, get that, get those habits formed, you know, in these years of life.
00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:37.839
Yeah, I think, you know, the maturation kind of came early because, you know, you don't really have a choice.
00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:40.480
You have to deal with those things.
00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:44.720
Um, but you know, I haven't been able to do it on my own the entire time.
00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:51.119
I've had the support of my parents, um, and they've been everything I could ever ask for.
00:29:51.279 --> 00:30:00.079
Um, but also athletes, uh Sam Fold was the first uh type one diabetic baseball player that I had ever heard of.
00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:09.519
Um and then recently, or not recently, shortly after that, okay, uh Devin Smelter, um, he's a pitcher who was diagnosed with uh cancer.
00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:13.920
Um so I had a couple people to look up to to help me through that process.
00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:21.519
And you know, I'm I'm hoping and I'm looking to to you know be a a Devin Smelter or Sam Fold to to anyone.
00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:26.400
Um I'd love it if people came up and asked questions, you know, I'd want to help them out.
00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.279
Yeah.
00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:33.519
There's also a really interesting story from the fr your first Friday night start against LSU, right?
00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:35.839
I heard about it a little bit from the radio.
00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:43.680
If you just want to like give the breakdown of what happened, because I think it's like a reality that many people don't realize you're managing in real time.
00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.400
Yeah.
00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:55.519
Um, so I I wear two devices, um, one of which is on my arm, and uh that reads my blood sugar levels, uh, and the other is kind of like an IV needle.
00:30:55.920 --> 00:31:04.079
Um and I wear insulin pump, and it the insulin kind of goes through tubing and then through the needle um that I wear.
00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:08.559
And uh yeah, so I think it was third or fourth inning.
00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:18.960
Um I had just struck out John Pearson, I believe it was, and I kind of celebrated, and then I felt the needle kind of pop out and then go back in.
00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:21.759
I was like, ooh, like that didn't feel very good.
00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:26.400
So uh I believe the next batter was Zach York, and I fell behind 3-0.
00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:30.480
It was just the needle was going out, back in, out, back in, out, back in.
00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:33.599
And I was like, every time you threw the ball out and in.
00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:38.960
Yeah, and and I think the the commentators had said that it looked like it was my oblique or something.
00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:41.119
They're like, oh, his Velo's not down though.
00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.400
Like, what could it be?
00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:46.400
So yeah, I could understand, like, that's a pretty confusing moment for a lot of people.
00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:54.079
Uh, but yeah, my trainer came out, uh, E came out, uh, the umpire came over, infield came in, and they were like, Hey, you're alright.
00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:57.759
And I'm like, Yeah, this needle just keeps popping out and going back in.
00:31:57.839 --> 00:32:01.279
I feel like I'm getting a flu shot every time I I throw a pitch.
00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.000
Oh my goodness.
00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:06.160
Um, but I was like, all right, like I'm just gonna rip it out.
00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:14.400
And so they're like, all right, tight circle, kind of undid my my jersey and my belt, and uh, I just kind of ripped the needle off.
00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:31.359
And uh fortunately, the next pitch in 3-0 count, he was green light and and swung, uh, got a pop-up, got out of that inning, and uh, I just went back with Woody, the trainer, and was able to get a fresh one on and uh yeah, rode out the rest of that.
00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.400
Oh my goodness.
00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:36.480
Has that ever happened to you before playing baseball or have you had any similar instances?
00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:41.839
Yeah, um back when uh I used to swing it a little bit as a position player.
00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:50.160
Um I dove into I think I stole third or something like that, and I dove in the to the base and it like ripped the needle off.
00:32:50.319 --> 00:33:00.720
Um I've had situations where I was wearing my CGM on my throwing arm and uh I was in the middle of pitching and it just kind of flew off my arm while I was throwing.
00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:10.559
Um it's funny because the first time it happened my freshman year, I came in uh as a reliever to close out a coaches versus cancer tournament game.
00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:16.720
It was a pretty big game against uh my school, Bishop Eustace, and uh I think Jackson Memorial.
00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:20.079
It was pretty two pretty big teams in Jersey.
00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:29.599
And uh yeah, I threw a pitch and it flew off, and I was kind of grabbing my arm, and my high school coach thought I blew out like at Tommy John.
00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:35.920
Oh and so he was losing his mind, and I was like, no, no, no, like I'm good, my arm is fine, I'm completely healthy.
00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:37.759
This thing just fell off my arm.
00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:43.039
And uh, so yeah, he I got his blood pressure up pretty high during that.
00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:56.240
But um, yeah, no, I've I've I've definitely had my fair share of obstacles throughout my career, but uh, you know, have had the resources to be able to bounce back from it easily, and then also uh, you know, hopefully sharing this story.
00:33:56.400 --> 00:34:01.119
Yeah, you know, some people can can relate to it and also feel free to reach out for help.
00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:23.519
Well, and I was gonna say, what's been like the the the biggest or the best way that you've been able to overcome these challenges and not let it like you like I mean you say it doesn't define you, but like truly not let it define you and being able to push through of like, oh no big deal, like we'll just get it taken care of, where I feel like some other people it might be hard to look past those setbacks.
00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:26.400
Yeah, it's definitely intimidating.
00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:37.599
Um but uh you know, I I know people have been there before, um and I have tremendous amounts of help by my side uh everywhere.
00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:40.559
So I I never really freak out about it, you know.
00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.199
I don't know.
00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:44.719
It's just we're I think being prepared is the biggest thing.
00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:45.039
Yeah.
00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:48.719
Um, if you're not prepared, you're preparing to fail.
00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:54.880
Uh but yeah, I've had all the resources around me and staying prepared, it's I never really freak out about it.
00:34:55.119 --> 00:35:06.800
When you sit back and you think about it, how great is it to be able to be a role model, maybe not even knowingly, to kids who are watching Tennessee baseball and seeing, like, oh my goodness, if he can do it, why can't I?
00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:11.199
Yeah, I I've I've gotten a couple of DMs from some younger guys.
00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:13.920
Um type one diabetics and not.
00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:22.639
Um and for me, it's the greatest feeling in the world to know that you know that they look up to me in that way.
00:35:22.719 --> 00:35:23.039
Yeah.
00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:26.480
Um you know, that people care in that way.
00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:30.079
And it's I don't it's it's awesome.
00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:31.280
I don't have words for it.
00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.480
It's just such a good feeling.
00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:36.800
Coming from New Jersey to Tennessee was obviously like a really big move.
00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:42.800
I mean, that's a 10-hour drive from home versus a 40-minute drive when you were uh back at Wreckers.
00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:52.719
How important has your family, your community, um, high school coaches just been supporting you through this entire journey to get you to where you are today?
00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:57.119
Yeah, with family, I talk to my mom and dad every day pretty much.
00:35:57.599 --> 00:36:01.119
Um and so they know the ins and outs of my life.
00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:08.000
Um but yeah, having the support from coaches back home every once in a while, checking in, you know, how is stuff going?
00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:12.079
Uh if you ever need help with anything, you know, reach out, let me know.
00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:22.400
Um but it's it's a good more just a good feeling for me to know that I have that support and people think of me, uh, even though I might not be in their life anymore.
00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:25.760
Um it's I don't it just it feels great.
00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:30.639
What's been the best part about being on Rocky Top this past year?
00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:43.679
Uh I'm I I really think the biggest two is is just the support behind baseball, but the support behind the university as a whole.
00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:53.280
Um the amount of fans that that show up, you know, no matter how good or bad we're playing, that's just that they care and they want to see us win.
00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:59.039
Uh but you know, the tremendous support behind the football team, the basketball team.
00:36:59.280 --> 00:37:05.199
Like it's just been my dream to to go and play for a school where like the people care, the people want you to succeed.
00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:05.599
And yeah.
00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:12.719
I feed off of it, like as much as you know, maybe it doesn't seem like they're they think they're doing anything, they're just cheering.
00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:20.239
Like, I seriously, a lot of my success comes off of the the brighter lights, and I love uh the support that we have.
00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:22.000
It's it's truly amazing.
00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:30.800
It is pretty incredible here at the University of Tennessee seeing it across not just the big five, but like all of our athletic programs.
00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:33.199
There is so much support across them all.
00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:42.960
I mean, the there'll be times too where the rowing team will be going and practicing in the morning and cars will like be honking and you know, cheering them on or like by the park that happened to me the other weekend.
00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:46.400
I was in Sequoia Hills and they were coming by and people were stopping and pointing and waving at them.
00:37:46.559 --> 00:37:57.360
So it goes across the entire athletic department, and it is so it's so it's so noticeable to your point of like how strongly this community bleeds orange for the University of Tennessee.
00:37:57.760 --> 00:38:00.800
The fans traveling too, I think that's something that needs to be noted.
00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:08.159
Um whether we go to Texas and we're playing in the Rangers Stadium or we go to Mississippi State, whatever it is, they always show.
00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:11.599
It's just I I I can't believe it.
00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:15.920
It I don't I don't understand it, but I don't want it to change.
00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:16.800
You know what I mean?
00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:24.079
I I they go out on a limb, they go to extreme measures to be able to support us, and it's just such a great feeling.
00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:24.559
Right.
00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:29.440
Yeah, whether it's on the road, whether it's at home, whether it's a midweek, they will be there.
00:38:29.679 --> 00:38:30.079
They're there.
00:38:30.239 --> 00:38:30.800
They're there.
00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:38.000
Uh is there one moment that stands out to you the most um when you look back on the season so far that is pretty special.
00:38:38.719 --> 00:38:45.920
I'm gonna say uh the announcement of E being our head coach, um, I think that really set a tone for us.
00:38:46.000 --> 00:38:48.639
That was a top moment in my baseball career.
00:38:48.800 --> 00:38:51.840
We we wanted it for him, for his family.
00:38:52.159 --> 00:38:58.639
Um, but we you know, it was there was no one more deserving of that role um than him.
00:38:58.880 --> 00:39:05.599
And like I said, the the eruption that we had in our team meeting room, that was just an amazing moment.
00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:08.159
And like I said, set the tone for for this year.
00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:12.960
And I think you're still in the middle of the season, like we haven't even finished year one fully for you.
00:39:13.280 --> 00:39:26.719
But what does it what does it truly mean to you to be a volunteer, to play under some of the brightest lights, um, and only your second year in collegiate baseball and to be representing the power tee?
00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:32.239
Yeah, and I I think there's a lot of people that that hate us because they ain't us, you know.
00:39:32.639 --> 00:39:36.559
Um but we feed off of that and and we love it.
00:39:36.719 --> 00:39:40.480
Um but it's just I don't know.
00:39:40.880 --> 00:39:45.360
I feel like it I don't know how it can't be everyone's dream to come play baseball for Tennessee.
00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:49.519
I I'm I'm extremely blessed that I'm here and I love every bit of it.
00:39:49.840 --> 00:39:51.199
What would little Landon think?
00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:54.639
Oh my gosh, he'd be flipping his lid.
00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:57.039
Yeah, he he would love it.
00:39:57.199 --> 00:40:00.400
He'd be like he's the coolest guy ever.
00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:07.519
He might be upset that you know we are a pitcher and we don't hit anymore.
00:40:07.679 --> 00:40:10.559
But I think aside from that, he'd be super happy.
00:40:10.880 --> 00:40:11.039
Right.
00:40:11.119 --> 00:40:14.400
I think he'd be able to let that one go when he realizes like the reason.
00:40:15.360 --> 00:40:17.599
The ceiling was higher, throwing the ball, not hitting it.
00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:19.119
Yeah, so it's okay.
00:40:19.280 --> 00:40:19.920
It's okay.
00:40:20.079 --> 00:40:21.119
We'll let that one go.
00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:22.800
But Landon, thanks so much.
00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:23.599
Thanks for the time.
00:40:23.679 --> 00:40:25.519
It was so great getting to know you off the field.
00:40:25.599 --> 00:40:27.199
I know our fans are gonna enjoy it too.
00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:28.800
And good luck the rest of the way.
00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:30.880
We're cheering you all on and can't wait to see what you do.
00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:31.679
Thank you so much.
00:40:31.840 --> 00:40:32.880
It's a pleasure being here.
00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:33.840
Thank you.
