Blake Allemand talks first-year transition & big-time baseball

Jordan K catches up with A&M's freshman sensation

On sweeping Pepperdine this past weekend and his personal performance thoughts…

“It was nice being in Malibu, California. They are a great team, and we were fortunate enough to get away with three wins, especially on our first road trip. For me personally, I was just trying to adjust to 3rd base, a new field and environment, and just trying to play my game. It turned out to be a pretty great weekend for me.”

On the six-game winning streak that coincides with his start at third base…

“Whatever I can do to help the team right now is what I want to do. Us winning games is the most important thing and it’s good to be able to help.”

On the pitching efforts and complete games by Wacha, Stripling, and Pineda…

“Our pitching is unbelievable lately. Our weekend guys are lights out. Wacha, Strip, and Pineda were all dominate in back-to-back days. It was pretty fun to watch.”

On being the ‘rookie’ of the infield…

“Yeah, there’s the typical freshmen hazing going on, little side jokes here and there, but it’s not too bad. We get along really well.”

On Coach Childress instilling a ‘team’ mindset and pushing the players to be close on and off the field…

“He always preaches that it is a team sport, and that we need all the guys on the team to contribute and help us win games.  Our chemistry has been really great so far this year. We’ve played really well together, and everybody is looking out for one another.”

On getting over the Malibu daze and defeating Houston Baptist 7-2…

“It was definitely great to be home. Malibu was fun for a weekend, but we were all happy to be back in College Station. Coach Childress definitely preached about the game being a ‘trap game’ and not looking past Houston to this upcoming weekend, just the importance of that game. We came out and played well, had a great pitching effort from a couple of new guys that haven’t pitched in a while, played good offensively and got a win. “

On playing with confidence as a true freshman and not getting lost in the spectacle of Blue Bell Park…

“Olsen Field is huge, and you can get lost in the stands a little bit. I just try to treat it like another baseball game out in the backyard. I try not to let the crowd affect me, and it is just a game. That’s the way I have been trying to look at it.”

On transitioning to college academics and handling all the pressures that come with it…

“It’s definitely hard. With time management, you just have time find time to squeeze in your studies. You definitely cram a lot because we don’t have a whole lot of time. But we do have a great academic advisors and learning assistants over at the Bright Center which helps out a lot and makes things easier.”

On learning from one of the best infields in the country with Jacob House at first, Scott Arthur at second, and Mikey Reynolds at SS…

“All those guys are great infielders and they are older and have been around the college game a while. Practice, even games, I’m always asking them for tips on how I can be a better fielder. We just learn from each other. I definitely have learned a lot from them these last couple weeks.”

On which is his favorite MLB…

“I guess I’d have to go with the Texas Rangers since they’ve been to the World Series twice in a row and they are from my home state. They are definitely fun to watch and have a great offense.”

On the second series of Big 12 play coming up against Missouri this weekend…

“Every Big 12 series is important, and they have been hot lately. They have some pretty good pitching, so we’re just going to have to worry about producing runs, pitching well, and we should be fine.”