Get to Know ... A&M closer Mark Ecker

On the team being unique…

“Coming from last year to this year, the electricity in the stadium is unreal. Everyone just comes in here day in and day out putting in all that they have, pushing each other to strive for excellence and it’s paid off really well so far.”

On committing to A&M as a sophomore in high school…

“I didn’t really think about it at the time, but I probably should have just waited to commit. But this place just felt like home. Going through that process with friends like Ryne Birk, Nick Banks and everyone else on our select team made it easier knowing everyone was going through the same thing.”

On playing on an all-star team with Ryne Birk, Nick Banks and Ronnie Gideon...

“It was really fun. You don’t really think about it at the time. Ronnie was actually on the North squad playing against us and me and Ryne and Nick were on the South squad. We all just joked around and had a good time.”

On the reasons he chose A&M…

“A&M really stuck out to me because when I came on my visit they showed me around campus and the facilities here are unbelievable compared to anywhere else. Then the move to the SEC happened when I was in high school, so that stood out to me because that is the best conference in baseball for college and it really doesn’t get much better than that.”

On being a Longhorn fan before coming to A&M…

“I really couldn’t tell you. My mom's whole side are Longhorn fans and it just didn’t feel right there, and this felt like the place for me.”

“The biggest influence on me has probably been this team and the coaches, because without them I probably wouldn’t be here right now. They have made me a way better person on the field and off the field and it's shown a lot.”

On being a “home run hitter”...

“In high school I hit a few home runs. In the all-star game me, Ryne and Banks all joked around about hitting a home run my first at-bat. I told them I was going to swing for the fences on the first pitch and then I ended up hitting a home run on the first pitch. Ryan Burnett, who pitches at TCU now, hung a curveball and we were all just laughing while I was running the bases and everyone just made a big joke about it. “

On when catcher Michael Barash comes to mound to talk to him before he pitches…

“He always just comes out to the mound and just tells me a little joke just to get my mind off everything. The crowds are so electric here that it can overwhelm you easily, and it just simplifies the whole game and just calms you down.”

On his superstitions...

“When I put my socks on in the locker room before games, I have to put on my left sock before my right sock because it just bothers me. I couldn’t tell you why, it’s just weird.”