FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University sophomore baseball standout Aaron Myers/Newport News is this week’s Longwood Male Athlete of the Week. The relief pitcher made his first collegiate start against Canisius College of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference on March 9, and posted a complete-game winning effort on the mound, scattering five hits and three earned runs with two walks and a career-high nine strikeouts during a 4-3 win. The seven innings pitched were a new career high, as well. Prior to a home game against Norfolk State University on March 13, Myers was 1-0 with a 4.58 earned run average through 17.2 innings with 21 strikeouts (10.70) and a team-best four saves. He already has nine career saves in 28 appearances, currently tied as fourth-best all-time for the program.
Question and Answer Session with Aaron Myers
Q: How did you prepare in the offseason for your sophomore year?
A: I worked on getting healthier and just defining my pitchers more by getting more control over them so I can do whatever I can to help the team out.
Q: Do you think you think you’ve improved this year thanks to your work and experience as a freshman?
A: I would say definitely yes. Freshman year, I pretty much threw a fastball and curveball. During the summer, I worked a lot on my change up and it’s a lot better and definitely helps out a lot.
Q: What’s it like playing in the Big South for the first time this year?
A: It’s really exciting. It gives us something to play for instead of just playing games, but knowing we can’ go anywhere. Now we have so much pride because we can compete to make the tournament and put our name out there.
Q: Why did you choose Longwood?
A: It’s a small school. I like the campus and I like the team. Also, I knew I could earn playing time since it’s a small team.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about the Longwood baseball team?
A: My teammates. It’s like a family; we’re all like brothers.
Q: What are your goals for the rest of the season for yourself and for the team?
A: My goal this year is to get at least 11 saves and beat Mark’s (Montgomery) record since he has 10. As for the team, I just want us to make tournament, compete and win a couple of games there.
Q: Who is your biggest role model?
A: My father. He’s a hard working guy with a loving family that he provides for.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
A: Albert Pujols because he just smashes the ball.
Q: What is your favorite team?
A: The St. Louis Cardinals. I grew up watching Albert Pujols and just became a fan of the team.
Q: Do you find yourself still getting advice from the older players on the team?
A: All the time from Ryan Shubert and Kyler Morgan. They give me support. But it’s not just the pitchers; it’s position players too. They come up and give me support, telling me they have my back or don’t worry about it. They all support me in everything I do.
Q: Do you give advice to this year’s freshman class?
A: Yes, I just tell them to get ahead and don’t trying too much. I try to remind them they have a team out there to support them and tell them they aren’t out there all by themselves.
Q: What would you say to a young athlete with hopes of playing in college one day?
A: Work hard. There is a school out there for everyone to play at. Hard work sometimes beats talent.
Q: Are you involved in any other activities on campus?
A: Not really, I go to the gym and shoot around. I also play ping-pong with a couple of my teammates.
Q: Favorite food?
A: Meatloaf. My grandma makes it for me all the time when I go home and I just love it.
Q: Favorite song?
A: My Type of Party – by Dom Kennedy
Q: Favorite movie?
A: The Rookie
