FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University senior baseball team captain Matt Dickason/Chesapeake has been named the Longwood Male
ARMS Software Athlete of the Week. The infielder started all three games while opening the 2014 season at East Tennessee State University of the Atlantic Sun Conference on February 16-17. Dickason played third base in the first two games, and began at second base in the finale against the Buccaneers, hitting a team-best .500 (6-12) with two triples, one RBI, four runs and a walk as the Lancers won one of three contests. Longwood was scheduled to play at James Madison University of the Colonial Athletic Association on Feb. 19, before hosting Marist College of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for a four-game weekend series on Feb. 21-23 at Bolding Stadium in Farmville.
Question and Answer Session with Matt Dickason and Ashley Robbins
AR: Tell me about the first series of the season last weekend at East Tennessee State.
MD: We came out and we played hard all weekend. ETSU is a good team, and was a good team for us to start our season against. They won their conference last year, winning 36 games and making a regional appearance, so I think it was a good challenge for us. We won the first game, and then lost the second game, 7-3, so we kept it close. The third game went twelve innings, so we competed with them all weekend and it showed that this team has a lot of fight in them.
AR: How does playing non-conference opponents at that level prepare you for the rest of the year?
MD: I think that everyone is still trying to get accustomed to how we’ll play this year. We’ve got a few freshman in the lineup and are still trying to work out some of the kinks, but we’re all very confident in this team. I think this is the most talented team we’ve had since I’ve been here, so everyone’s pretty excited about the upcoming schedule we have, both conference and non-conference. We have a pretty tough schedule, but I think we’re going to have a good year.
AR: Talk about your role as a leader on the team as one of the captains this season.
MD: I tend to be less vocal and lead by example. I try and show everyone how things should be done because there’s only so much you can say to the guys. They know what they’re supposed to do, and I think that it’s more important to be positive towards them then let negativity get in the way. I can get vocal when I need to be, but I like to lead by example.
AR: Did you prepare any differently heading into this season?
MD: No, I worked just as hard this offseason as I normally do. I know it’s my senior year which means it’s my last shot to play, so I guess I might have worked a bit harder this year knowing that. Mostly I just worked as hard as I have in past years and am just enjoying this last ride, trying to have fun while I do it.
AR: Any individual goals or team goals for the season?
MD: We actually had a team meeting the other night in which we all went around and talked about our individual goals and our team goals, and everyone’s team goal is to win the Big South Tournament. I think we can do it with all of the talent on this roster. My personal goal is to play better defensively than I have in the past couple of seasons, keep hitting the way I have been, and be the team leader that the guys need me to be.
AR: Who would you consider to be a role model to you?
MD: I’d definitely say my parents. Both of them have been through a lot and manage to stay positive, which is the way I tend to look at things in life. I try to be positive in everything I do. In baseball, you’re going to fail more then you succeed, and that’s something you have to learn. You have to accept you failures and build off the successes to enjoy the positives.
AR: Do you have any plans following graduation this year?
MD: As of right now I’m still trying to figure it out. Maybe baseball at the next level, but I can only hope.
AR: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
MD: I have to drink a soda at some point before the game, preferably a Dr. Pepper.
AR: What brought you to Longwood?
MD: This school and Mary Washington were the schools that recruited me for baseball. Not only was Longwood Division I, but I loved the campus when I came to visit. I was recruited as a pitcher with no guarantee of getting to play infield, but was told I might get to work my way into a starting role. From day one I haven’t thrown a pitch at Longwood, and I’ve always served as an infielder, so I think it was the chip on my shoulder to prove I could be an infielder at a DI school if I worked hard enough for it that drew me here.
AR: If you could give a piece of advice to a student aspiring to play DI baseball, what would it be?
MD: I would say pursue your dreams and work hard, because hard work beats talent every day when talent doesn’t work hard. I was told I might not be able to play, but I worked hard and pursued my dream, and I think that if they really want it bad enough, then they can do it.
AR: Who’s the funniest person on the team?
MD: We’ve got some clowns on this team, so this is a tough one. I’d have to say either Corey Ramsey or Scott Burkett, two of our seniors. They’re two goofballs and keep the team pretty lighthearted. They’re a lot of fun to be around.
AR: If you could trade places with a teammate for a day, who would it be?
MD: Brandon Delk just because he’s wired differently. He’s fun to be around, as well, but I’d like to see what goes on in his head for a day.
AR: What’s your favorite meal?
MD: Definitely a pasta dish, probably fettuccine alfredo.
AR: What’s your favorite movie?
MD: Step Brothers.
