FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University freshman baseball center fielder Colton Konvicka/Richmond is this week’s Longwood Male Athlete of the Week. He started six games last week, hitting .280 with one home run, one double, three RBI and three runs while also perfect in the field with 14 chances, including three assists. Konvicka hit safely in 5-6 games, including his first collegiate home run against VMI on March 23, a two-run shot to left field that helped the Lancers to a 4-3 home win. He was 2-5 with an RBI and a run at William and Mary on March 20, and was also 2-5 with a run at North Carolina Central on March 26. Konvicka has started 12 games while limited by a early-season injury and is hitting .250 with one homer, one triple, two doubles, six RBI and eight runs while perfect in the field through 28 chances (25 putouts, three assists).
Question and Answer Session with Colton Konvicka and Ashley Robbins
AR: Did you prepare any differently heading into this season?
CK: No not really. I just focused on keeping my head straight and doing what I needed to get done. I had set some goals at the beginning of the season and I’m doing my best to achieve them. I had to rehab an injury before the season, so that made it kind of tough, but I just want to help my team out as best I can and do my best.
AR: What were those goals you set?
CK: I had some statistical goals I wanted to achieve. I wanted to make a big statement in our first year in the Big South. The biggest goal I have is just for Longwood to do well.
AR: Now that you have experience, do you ever give advice to the younger players?
CK: Sometimes yes, if there are little things that I see that might help them a bit, but baseball is all about how you feel personally when you’re playing. If I see something wrong or something that can be changed, I’ll definitely help them out and maybe help them with their confidence.
AR: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten from the Longwood coaches?
CK: I have to say know your body, know what you can or can’t do and don’t try to do too much. Just try to play within your means and be the best that you can be personally and physically.
AR: If you could give a piece of advice to someone looking to play DI, what would it be?
CK: Don’t give up, keep playing, keep swinging and keep taking your reps because it’ll all pay off in the end. Once you get there, it’s fun, but just keep grinding it out until you get there.
AR: Do you have any role models?
CK: There’s a player on the Los Angeles Angels, Mike Trout, he’s my favorite player. He’s exactly what I want to be. He’s a lot bigger than I am, but I can’t do anything about that, but he plays the game hard and swings the bat well. He’s just a good example of what I want to be if I can play at the next level.
AR: Why did you choose Longwood?
CK: Because it was the best opportunity for me to get a great education, meet new people, play the sport that I love and just have a good time.
AR: What has been your favorite Longwood Baseball memory so far?
CK: I hit a game-winning double to beat Canisius College. That was really cool and there was a big celebration at the plate.
AR: What is your favorite thing about the Longwood Baseball program?
CK: We have really good team chemistry. Everybody is really close friends and we play well together. When we’re up, we’re up and when we’re down, we’re down, but we’re always together and always close. It’s fun playing on a team like that.
AR: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
CK: I make a cross on the plate with my bat before every time I step in the box. I’ve always done that since I was a freshman in high school.
AR: What does it mean to you to get to play in the Big South Conference this year?
CK: It’s really big for the school. I want to do the best we can for our first year. It’s crucial that we do well.
AR: What’s your favorite team?
CK: The Los Angeles Angels.
AR: What are you majoring in?
CK: Business
