Kyle Martin shares his history, talks Baylor with Jordan Kirkland

A&M's big closer breaks it down

Jordan Kirkland: You guys had a tough loss against Rice. Talk a bit about your performance on the field as well as everyone else's while you were there trying to close it out.

Kyle Martin: "Rice is a very good team and I got into a tight spot in the eighth and ninth inning. I probably want some pitches back that I let go. For the most part, they're a good team and they went and took it. Got to give them credit."

JK: You are the closer this season. How do you handle that pressure?

Martin: "I learned a lot from Nick Fleece last year. Just kind of going in there and not trying to get too amped up. A lot of people comment on my walk-out song and it's more there to keep me from thinking about the game and the pressure, think about the people dancing instead. That helps."

JK: What is your walk-up song that gets everyone going?

Martin: "It's by Sugarhill Gang and it's called Jump On It. It's a common dance that a lot of people know."

JK: You mentioned Nick Fleece. What did he specifically teach you that's given you the confidence to go in day in and day out and close the way you have been?

Martin: "He really just taught me to stay calm under pressure. He went through a similar situation where he used to be a hitter and then Coach Childress wanted him to become a pitcher. Transforming into a pitcher and not getting too bogged down with the pressure and relaxing, throwing strikes and getting outs."

JK: You have an unusual, sidearm delivery. How did you learn to pitch that way?

Martin: "Freshman year, I came in throwing over the top. I could throw pretty hard but I had no idea where it was going. Coach Childress talked with me and we broke it down and he said, 'Why don't you try this, see how it looks?' I threw a couple bullpens and he really liked it and I really liked it because I'd be able to play more and help the team out. I said, 'I want to make this switch so I can help the team out.' And that's it."

JK: You have a huge Aggie family. Your parents, aunt and uncle all came here. Did you have a choice, or was it pretty much 'We'll pay for A&M or nothing'?

Martin: "They kind of ... growing up, I always wanted to go to A&M. Going to the football games when I was younger, I just loved being a part of the Aggie Family. When I got a chance to play baseball here, I went ahead with it."

JK: What does it mean for you, growing up and loving A&M, to be out there playing in this beautiful Olsen Field and doing what you do?

Martin: "It's great. I love Aggieland. I love being here. I love all the fans, the fans are great. Being a fan when I was younger, it's great to see the little kids. I love 'em."

JK: The upcoming series is against Baylor. They're on a 20-game winning streak and they seem unstoppable. How do you, as a closer, control those bats? And how do you look a this team?

Martin: "Baylor is a really good team and I think we're just as good. It's going to be about us as a pitching staff throwing strikes and taking advantage of opportunities on offense."

JK: You are on a two-game losing streak. What's the morale in the locker room right now?

Martin: "We try and take every game one game at a time. Looking at Baylor, we're just going to take Friday as one game. Then Saturday, then Sunday. We'll go with it from there. I don't think too much about losing two in a row because we have our next game here on Friday."

JK: How do you handle playing in Olsen Field on Friday but then going to Waco on Saturday and Sunday? Do you take a different approach here vs. Waco?

Martin: "Baseball is the same game, wherever we play. We'll take care of business at home and then worry about Saturday and Sunday in Waco when it comes to that."