FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University junior baseball standout Aaron Myers/Newport News has been named the Longwood Male
ARMS Software Athlete of the Week. The right-hander pitched a complete-game, 1-0 shutout win past Ohio on March 8, allowing just four singles over nine innings with six strikeouts and two walks. He induced 10 fly ball outs and nine ground ball outs during the effort against the Bobcats of the Mid-American Conference. Myers is currently 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA. He has four starts and two complete games with the one shutout, adding 31 strikeouts in 32.0 total innings. Myers has given up just seven walks, while limiting the opposition to a .220 batting average. He was also named The Crons Brand Big South Pitcher of the Week.
Question and Answer Session with Aaron Myers and Steven Sommer
SS: This week you were named both Longwood’s Male Athlete of the Week and the Big South Pitcher of the Week. What do those honors mean to you?
AM: Both honors mean a lot to me. The recognition is showing that I’m not only working hard, but that people are seeing that being reflected in my work on the mound.
SS: Your most recent win was a 1-0 complete-game effort. What was going through your head in the last few innings when you knew you had a shot at getting the shutout?
AM: Honestly I wasn’t really concerned with the shutout or anything, I was just focused on keeping my team in the game. Every time I go out there I just try and put our team in the best position to win, so it was just what I had to do.
SS: You’re currently 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA, leading the team in both categories. What would you attribute your recent success to?
AM: Hard work and having faith in the people behind me. I know that if I make a mistake and the other team makes contact with the ball, I have eight guys behind me who are going to give it their all to field it and make the play.
SS: Last year you served as the closer for the team with a record-tying 10 saves, but this year you’ve stepped in as part of the starting rotation. What has the transition been like?
AM: I really like starting for the team this year. It’s definitely been an easier transition because I went from not knowing what days I’d be throwing to now knowing that I’ll be out there every Friday. I know what I have to do and I can get my work done on certain days of the week. I do miss closing at times because the games I’m not pitching in I always I wish I could be out there contributing to the team’s efforts.
SS: This summer you helped the Peninsula Pilots to a 2013 Petit Cup Championship in the Coastal Plain League. Describe what the experience was like for you.
AM: It’s an amazing feeling, very surreal. Being out there competing with other teams and players from around the nation who are some of the top performers was a great experience.
SS: As a third-year team member, how would you describe your role in the team’s leadership?
AM: I’m not sure how my role looks from a position player’s point of view, but from the pitchers, I know that I’m one of top guys, so I know there are a lot of eyes on me. I try to do what I can to help the younger guys out and lead by example. I put in extra time in the bullpen, work on extra flat grounds and extra pickoffs, doing everything I can to perfect my game.
SS: How has your preparation coming into this season changed from last year?
AM: This year I had the benefit of coming into the season healthy. Last year, I had knee surgery in the summer, so I was adjusting coming back in the fall and there was only so much I could do. Coming in healthier has allowed me to get more work in and throw more in general.
SS: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
AM: I’m not too superstitious, but on game days that I know I’m throwing I’ll go down to Main Street Bagel and grab a bagel and a water.
SS: In high school, on top of baseball, you played basketball, football and volleyball. If you could play any of those three sports at the collegiate level, which would you play and why?
AM: Basketball. There’s something about the game that everyone loves. It’s fun to watch, even more fun to play, and I feel like it’s one of the premier sports.
SS: If you could swap places for a day with any of your teammates for a day, who would it be and why?
AM: Cory Ramsey, definitely him. He’s funny, the team loves him and he’s an enjoyable person. I also feel like he knows just about everyone on campus.
SS: What are your favorite past times and hobbies outside of baseball?
AM: I like shooting around in the gym, hanging out with friends and supporting the other teams on campus by watching their games. Going to live games is so much more fun than watching them on TV. I go bowling occasionally and like catching movies too.
