University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
From the Bullpen With Bob McCrory
2/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
From the Bullpen With Bob McCrory
Junior pitcher Bob McCrory finished the 2002 season with a 7-3 record and had a 2.57 ERA. He struck out 63 and walked only 32 and held opponent hitters to a .244 batting average. He was named Conference USA second-team all-conference last season and is looking to build on last year?s performance.
SouthernMiss.com: How is the rehabilitation of your hand injury been going?
Bob McCrory: It?s been going well. I threw in the bullpen for the first time on Monday, and it felt great. It really didn?t bother me a whole lot.
SouthernMiss.com: When do you expect to be back in the lineup?
Bob McCrory: I have to go back to the doctor?s today and hopefully I will be released. Coach Palmer told me that I should throw in the bullpen on Thursday and on Sunday. I am hopeful that if everything goes well, I would start pitching the following week, maybe in the Louisiana Tech series.
SouthernMiss.com: What are your personal goals this season?
Bob McCrory: I want to do everything I can to help the team be successful and have the opportunity to win the conference and go to the NCAA Regionals. When I get back, I want to do my best and help the team any way I can.
SouthernMiss.com: As the team?s No. 1 pitcher going into the season, do you have any statistical goals as far as number of wins or strikeouts?
Bob McCrory: I want to win every time I take the mound because that helps the team. It can happen but most of the time it doesn?t, as far as winning every game. That is why I don?t worry about statistics. The only statistic that counts is team wins.
SouthernMiss.com: How many pitches can you throw for strikes and have you added any pitches to your arsenal? What is your best pitch and what is your out pitch?
Bob McCrory: I throw a fastball, curve, changeup and slider. My fastball is my best pitch and my out pitch for a strikeout is my slider. I worked hard in the offseason and tried to increase my strength. During the summer, I topped out at 96 mph which is a few miles faster than I pitched at last season.
SouthernMiss.com: What are some of the team?s goals this season?
Bob McCrory: Every year our goal is to win the conference and then go as far as we can in NCAA tournament. All we are doing right now is working hard and trying to win every game we can so we can go to the conference tournament and then win enough games to win the conference championship. If we don?t win the conference championship, and we are hopeful that we have won enough during the season to get an NCAA Tournament bid.
SouthernMiss.com: Do you feel pressure to be one of the team leaders this season?
Bob McCrory: Maybe a little, but not much, because we have some great leaders on this team. Guys like Jeff Cook, Griff Israel and Stephen Castleman. They do a great job. We had freshman that stepped up this past weekend and helped us win games. I think everyone knows that sometime during the season they are going to have to step up and do something to help us win.
SouthernMiss.com: Do you feel you need to be the leader of the pitching staff?
Bob McCrory: There are a few of us that have been here for a while and have played a lot. It is our job to make sure the younger guys understand what we are trying to accomplish and help them stay relaxed and focused on the team?s goals.
SouthernMiss.com: What is your favorite college baseball stadium to play in?
Bob McCrory: Definitely ?The Pete.? The fans really get behind us and show a lot of support at home. We have fans who travel to different places that we play but nothing is like playing in front of the home fans at ?The Pete.?
SouthernMiss.com: What type of hobbies to do you have besides baseball?
Bob McCrory: I study, and I go to class.
SouthernMiss.com: Now tell the truth, what are your hobbies?
Bob McCrory: We like to play cards, shoot pool and just hang out and enjoy being around each other.
SouthernMiss.com: What are your career goals?
Bob McCrory: I want to take baseball as far as I can and play as long and at the highest level I can. When I am done playing, I want to coach and help other people learn and enjoy the game of baseball.
SouthernMiss.com: What type of music do you listen to?
Bob McCrory: I like several types of music. Mostly rock-n-roll and oldies music.
SouthernMiss.com: Which of the coaches would most likely listen to the same music you listen to?
Bob McCrory: Both Coach Berry and Coach Burroughs listen to the same type of music that I listen to.
