FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University sophomore baseball standout Travis Burnette/Lynchbug has been named the Longwood Male
ARMS Software Athlete of the Week. The right-handed pitcher made two appearances last week, allowing no runs and picking up a pair of saves. On February 21, he went two innings with three strikeouts to earn a save in series-opening win against Marist. He added another save the following afternoon in game three against the Red Foxes, giving up just two hits and striking out one in one inning of work. So far this season, Burnette has pitched 10 innings with six strikeouts, three saves and no earned runs.
Question and Answer Session with Travis Burnette and Steven Sommer
SS: How does it feel to earn Athlete of the Week honors?
TB: Definitely excited about it. It’s honor to win it.
SS: You now have three saves on the season. Walk me through the season so far.
TB: The first game of the year, I got my first opportunity to get the save, and it was a little nerve-racking. It was against a very good team in ETSU. I got out there and had to put a lot of effort into calming myself down. Ever since then, it has been a lot more natural. It’s easier after you get the first one out of the way, and it’s been much smoother moving forward since.
SS: What’s your mindset heading into a save scenario?
TB: Mostly it’s about getting mentally ready. You can’t head into the game lackadaisical, you have to prepare mentally. I think my main motivation headed into a potential save is not letting my team down. They’re putting me in a situation where we have the lead and they think that I can hold that, and I just have to keep the mindset that I can’t let my teammates down and that I need to do my job.
SS: What are some individual goals you’ve set for yourself this season?
TB: My main individual goal heading into the season, again, was to not let my team down. They know that when they put me in they have a chance to win at the end of the game, and I don’t want to know what it’s like to let them down. I want to go through the season, however long it is, and set things up to where we come out with the win.
SS: How did your preparation this season change from last year?
TB: I think that this season I knew exactly what it was going to take as far as preparation. Last year as a freshman going into the winter, I thought about everything I did in the fall. I think all that helped me prepare this year because when I was able to go home in the winter, I knew exactly what I needed to do, how much work I needed to put in, and I had it proven to me my freshman year that it’s a lot more work than you think it is.
SS: What drew you to Longwood University?
TB: Division I baseball was definitely the biggest factor. Outside of that, I liked the size, and it’s only an hour away from my hometown of Lynchburg. I always said that I wanted to play at a big school, but the more I started looking, small schools really grabbed my attention. I really like how small and compact campus is. You get to know a lot of people very easily because you’re in contact with so many of them. The classes are small, and you’re not just another face in a big auditorium or just another person walking around campus.
SS: Throughout your career thus far with Longwood baseball, what’s been your proudest moment?
TB: Last year as a freshman being able to contribute immediately in our first year in the Big South. It really set the stage and I know we were doubted, being picked last in the conference at the beginning of the season. We were able to get in the tournament which was big, and then able to prove ourselves in the tournament by coming in fourth, really showing people that we’re not just another team thrown in the conference, but that we were actually here to play.
SS: Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?
TB: As a team, we always pray and we always get our work in before the game, but as far as food and stuff like that not really. I just go with the flow and see where it takes me.
SS: Who is your favorite athlete?
TB: That’s a good one. I’d say Michael Wacha. He’s a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, a really young guy who’s come up and done a heck of a job. I like watching him pitch and he teaches you a lot when you watch the way he plays.
SS: Who’s your biggest role model on the team?
TB: Alex Owens. Ever since I got here, he’s always been a leader and he’s always been able to help me out if I’ve had questions. He’s always been one to lead by example. He can be vocal if he needs to, but he’s not getting on you 24/7. If something goes wrong or you have questions, he’s there. He always plays hard and has never slowed down. He’s never let injuries get in the way and he’s a really tough kid. I think that’s a great way to play and something to look up to.
SS: Who do you think is the funniest person on the team?
TB: I’d have to go with Cory Ramsey. He’s a goofball. He always keeps it light in the locker room and in batting practice, always running around. He knows how to be serious when he has to, but he definitely keeps things light.
