Tyler Naquin tackles UTSA, OU, Team USA & more

Jordan K catches up with A&M's star outfielder

On hitting the game-winning two-run home run in the seventh inning Tuesday to defeat UTSA 4-3…

“Going up to the plate I knew we had to put some runs on the board and, later on in the ballgame like that, you really need to score runs because on Tuesday nights they're hard to come by sometimes. My goal was just to go up and try to hit a double to score Mikey (Reynolds) and let someone else drive the baseball to score me as well.”

On the series win against Missouri this past weekend…

“On Saturday we had a little hiccup out there and ended up losing that game, but on Friday and Sunday we played some good baseball. Coming into this week we were playing good baseball even though we struggled a little bit last night against UTSA. Coming into this weekend series (against Oklahoma) we’re feeling pretty good.”

On the strength of the pitching staff and the dependence on the defense in the clutch…

“You couldn’t ask for anyone better than (Michael) Wacha, (Ross) Stripling, and (Rafael) Pineda. They are big guys and they have good stuff and shut teams out. Sometimes the bullpen has a few little mess ups here and there, but other than that they are really strong out there on the mound. They always give us a chance to win, and they are usually pretty consistent. In the game of baseball, any time pitching, hitting, and defense are involved, you’re going to have a few mess-ups here and there.”

On the short week, playing a game on Sunday, Tuesday, and then starting a series on Thursday and if that affects the practices…

“To be honest, not really. Whatever day we can have off, we’ll take that off day. Unfortunately this week, we do play Thursday, Friday, Saturday, but we get to spend Sunday with our families for Easter. We are all thankful for that. Playing Thursday, Friday, Saturday, we’re going to practice Wednesday, have a good long practice, and get ready to play Thursday night.”

On the strengths and weaknesses of the Texas A&M team…

“I would definitely say that some of our strengths are that we can field the baseball really well; some of our baseballs go hard and fast through the gaps; our two strike-approach is also very solid, and opposing teams are going to have to get us out instead of us getting ourselves out. They know that we can really pitch and defend. The few weaknesses we have, they come and go. Other than that, we’re solid all over.”

On playing for USA on the Olympic team with Michael Wacha this past summer and wearing red, white, and blue in Omaha instead of maroon and white…

“It was an incredible feeling. Even Michael can tell you that the first time we put on our jerseys, it was pretty emotional; wearing that USA uniform, it’ll bring a tear to your eye. You don’t think it’s that big of a deal, but once you put it on, it’s a huge deal. We were thankful to put it on and go back to Omaha to play. It was definitely a special experience playing with the talent from all over the country and competing against Japan in a five-game series.”

On the great chemistry of the team right now…

“There’s great chemistry on this team right now. Our pitchers and our hitters get along very well. You have some teams where the pitchers will complain that the hitters aren't getting enough runs, and the hitters will complain that the pitchers aren’t pitching well. If we have a guy that goes out on the mound and gets lit up, all of our hitters are sitting out there saying that we’re going to score some runs. Someone else is going to come in and back you up, and you’ll have a chance for another outing later on. Everyone is pretty close and we get along real well and just back each other up”

On his personal goals for the 2012 season after an All-American sophomore campaign…

“I’d definitely like to be an All-American again, that’d be great and all. But we’re just trying to win a lot of baseball games in order to get this team back to Omaha. I’m going to do everything in my power whenever there are guys on to drive them in and if there’s nothing going on, I’m going to try to get on the bases and have someone else drive me in. Whether I have to wear a pitcher out, make a great play or throw someone out at the plate, I’m just going to do what I can in order for us to win a lot of baseball games and get back to Omaha.”

On the upcoming series against Oklahoma starting Thursday…

“Our coaches have seen them and we have heard through word of mouth about OU. We have scouting reports. They are just another baseball team that’s playing good baseball, but so are we. It should be a good series. We shouldn’t have a problem with it, and we’ll just see what happens over the weekend.”