Full Transcript for Landon Mack

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.