2010 Media Day Player Quotes

Feb. 15, 2010

Junior closer Ryan Duke

On any talk about moving to a starting role:
“It doesn't really matter as long as I can help the team. They talked to me early on and told me I did a pretty good job last year in the closing role, and they are going to keep me in the closing role. I don't plan on starting and if I have to I will.”

On setting the rotation:
“Zach (Neal) is a heck of worker and J.R. had some spots throwing for us last year and we got another guy (Bobby Shore) from a junior college in California that's going to get after it for us on Sunday's. We have a pretty set staff and Zach really helped us out with that.”

On working on new pitches over the summer:
“I've been working on my changeup. I have a different grip on it, just a little extra pace to lefties. Other than that I'm going to stick with my hard stuff.”

Sophomore captain Garrett Buechele (3B)

On having more depth this season:
“We have more depth this year than I have ever seen in my two years that I've been here. It gives the guys in the starting lineup an edge because they know if they're not performing, or if they're injured, someone can step in and take their place. That's pushing the guys who are starting to play better as well. As far as pitching, we have six or seven guys who can go out there and throw on the weekend for us and that makes us even stronger for a mid-week game. Its strengthens our bullpen too, so it helps our club greatly.”

On setting the tone offensively:
“It'll be different at first, but that's what I had to do in high school. I have some experience doing it, not at this level but it's something I've worked on in the fall and did pretty well. And I think I can handle it during the season as well.”

On what he worked on in the off season:
“I would say my leadership skills and being more vocal on the field. Last year there were guys like Bryant (Hernandez), Matty (Matt Harughty) and J.T (Wise) behind the plate, so now I have to step up and be the guy people look to for questions. I have to be a teacher as opposed to a student of the game.”

Senior captain Ross Hubbard (DH/C)

On this year's team after losing so many good players:
“What's good about people leaving is that you've got people coming in. I think we have three All-American high school players and three junior college All-Americans. Tradition doesn't graduate and Coach G (Golloway) and his staff do a good job recruiting and building a program where you can lose a Johnny Bench winner, you can lose three first team all-Big 12 selections, and it's not going to affect you.”

On people to watch out for:
“I like watching Zach Neal. He is a really good pitcher. I think he had eight walks in junior college, which is remarkable and he started as a freshman against Texas at Sam Houston State. He already has experience that you usually don't get from a junior college guy. Of course there is (Ryan) Duke and Buech (Garrett Buechele). I think Cam Seitzer will be pretty good. I'm just as curious as you about Chad Kettler. I haven't seen Kett play that much since he's had a back injury, but from what I can see he has lightning quick hands and can hit from both sides of the plate.”

Senior captain Jeremy Erben (RHP)

On how hard it is to get a pitching staff together that can perform:
“It starts with your weekend starters. You want to get out with a Friday night guy like Zach Neal. He's going to do a great job setting up the weekend series. People start settling into their roles and as long as they know what their role is, and they are ready and willing to step into that role. I think everything is going to be fine.”

On how things are going heading into his senior year:
“Of course, being ranked in the preseason is big for us. We've been talking a lot about building this program and we want people to expect a lot out of us because that is what we've been working for. Being preseason ranked and then hosting a national seed last year, I think people are finally realizing that we are a strong contender and we are going to be each and every year. I couldn't ask for more my senior year being ranked preseason and hopefully we can take that step and get back to Omaha.”

On his pitches:
“I definitely think my best pitch is my slider. It's my out pitch and it's what I go to when I've got two strikes trying to put a guy away. I've really been working this offseason trying to develop my changeup. I think it will be good for me because everything I've got is firm. I've got my fastball, I've got my slider and that change of speed will be really helpful to me.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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