SSU Sports Podcast - Brock

This is the first episode of the Salem State sports podcast. The guest is Brock, a former roommate and captain of the baseball team. They discuss changes from last year, including a coaching change. Despite the changes, the team remains focused and believes in themselves. They talk about the importance of team chemistry and how it led to their previous championship win. Brock is now the captain and emphasizes the importance of being a team player. He has personal goals for the upcoming season, including being pitcher of the year. The host thanks Brock for being on the podcast. Hello, everybody. Welcome to our very first episode of our very own Salem State sports podcast today We have a very special guest for our first episode We have good friend of mine my former roommate former Mascot champion captain of the baseball team We have Brock pair in the building number 22. We have Brock pair on the phone right now Brock. Can you hear me? Yes, sir. How we doing doing better than ever good to hear from you. Are you at practice right now? Yeah, we got practice right now 11 to 2 we come in in three separate groups So right now the 11 to 12 group is where I'm at always staying busy Sir, so I don't want to take up too much of your time if you're at practice Just ask you a couple questions about last year compared to this year your personal goals stuff like that Yep, easy enough So tell us about the changes from last year compared to this year whether it's old teammates that I've left old Coaches, I know you guys have a coaching change. I'm gonna tell me a little bit about it. Yeah, so last year we had my second coach as a College athlete here. I started out our original coach out that event. He left after my software. Yeah We got a new coach Jason Falcon who came in last year And I myself from the understanding of the team was that he was going to be here for a while But stuff happens he ended up leaving three days before the season started Yeah Initial reaction was a little bit of shock. But once he left that room after he broke the news Myself and a couple of the other captains spoke what was on our mind And we basically agreed that we continue going forward This isn't gonna affect us on the field. You're our coach. Whoever it may be We kind of understand that it's still on us where the players so as long as we have a good headset We stay locked in. We should be Smooth sailing going forward That's mentality you gotta have to win games as you know You were a member of that team that won the Massac championship that I was also on a couple years ago Do you want to talk about how special that team was and the team chemistry that? It really didn't matter who was coaching. We were gonna win that thing no matter what right? Yeah I think that's probably one of my biggest stresses that I've learned Playing on a bunch of teams growing up is the teams that I've had the best chemistry with everyone gets along Everyone gets for each other. Those are always the most successful teams That team that you that we played on What was it? 2020 2021 maybe yeah, 2020 21 that team every guy was There was no selfishness. I think selfishness Within a program is kind of what ruins it and I think every guy played for each other I think we all understood what we wanted and it worked out perfect because Obviously we were champions in the end And I think a little bit of that team chemistry and team bonding is coming into play huge this season with this team We got 13 new guys, but they've all bought into the program as if they've been here for all four of their years So I can't really ask much more as a captain with all these guys that have been listening to me They believe in me as long as they're on the same page as me and my co-captains that we shouldn't have any problems You know, I love to hear that As I know and all your teammates know you're easy guy to follow Is this the first year of you being officially named captain Yeah, it's the first year me Myself Jack Sofrino Jake we all came in the same class. We're all seniors now Yeah, and we also have Raheem Ortega who is a grad student. He's a two-time captain including this year, so this is my first year Jack's first year Jake's first year, but Like we talked about the other day when we spoke the other day I said that The C across the chest doesn't really define who's the leader of the team That's right. And something I've been telling my guys This year's don't be an I guy just be a team guy If you're a team guy and other guys on the team team can see that you'll be one of the most You'll be one of the favorite guys on the team easily. I like that Well, if you want to if you want to talk a little bit about your personal goals and the team goals for this upcoming season The projections I know as always the projections are counting you guys in the middle of the pack kind of counting you guys out But that's how we like it being the underdog, right? Yeah, I mean personally I've always been an underdog my career has been on a steady incline ever since I got to college and And I got a look at what it takes to be a guy to be the guy So I give a lot of kudos to some of my upperclassmen that I had When I was coming up to this program And I kind of think that's exactly what I want to do for the younger guys that we have now It's just be a guy that they can come to and trust and maybe a little bit of outlook because some kids don't necessarily Love going straight to a coach So I try to be that guy that kids can come to talk to and figure stuff out that they don't yet know underclassmen and transfers so as far as Trying to be a captain and lead this team like you asked. I obviously do have personal goals and Anything short of picture of the year this year for myself Won't be a failure, but it won't be where I want to be I think I have I've been working my butt off to be picture of the year I think I was pretty good shot after last year Kind of put my foot in the front door and now that I'm a known guy in this league I think it's time to put up some serious numbers and Show people what I'm about Well Brock if there's anyone that's gonna win it. I think I put my money on you I want to thank you for your time here. You gave me everything I need I don't want to take up too much of your time. I know you're at practice still So I want to thank you for coming on the very first episode of our sound states Sport podcasts. All right. Thank you