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 Keep Your Eye on the Dream.... ........................

5/1/2008
By Don Leypoldt

18 games.  Six at bats.  Six at bats in 18 games is not a lot of playing time.  It is a lot of time to sit on the bench, to start to doubt yourself and to wonder what you can really do at a competitive Division I program.

Sophomore outfielder Zach Hudson had a whopping six at bats through the first 1/3rd of Middle Tennessee State’s 2008 schedule.  On March 25th against Tennessee Tech, Hudson finally got a start.  He singled and scored two runs.  The next day, he scored another run against national power Vanderbilt.  Then on March 29th, he blasted a homer and a double in MTSU’s defeat of Arkansas Little Rock.

All the humble Hudson has done since being put into the starting lineup on that fateful March 25th is hit .388 (19 for 49), slug .592 and score sixteen runs in sixteen games.  He had a four hit day against Belmont on April 9th, and went 2 for 3 against SEC foe Tennessee one week later.

With performances like that, it’s a safe bet that Hudson will get more than six at bats in MTSU’s next 18 games.

Hudson’s talent was always evident.  In the summer of 2007, he started 25 of 28 games for the Union City Greyhounds of the Kentucky-Indiana-Tennessee (KIT) League.  Hudson hit .282, slugged 50 points higher than the league average and led the team in runs scored.  His efforts helped the Greyhounds win the KIT championship.

Now, Hudson will be trying summer ball of a different sort.  The Nashville native will be roaming the outfield of Northwest Park in Manchester.  It will be Hudson’s first time visiting New England, and he is embracing the opportunity.  Hudson recently sat down and fielded some questions:

On his off the field goals this summer: “From my experience last summer, I met tons of new friends.  I’d like to see a different part of the country first off and meet some great people.”

On his on the field goals this summer: “Getting better every day.  Obviously, getting my at bats and winning games.  Any competitive athlete will tell you they want to win and I definitely want to win.  We won the league last year and that was a great experience and a lot of fun.  But in baseball, nobody can just stay where they are at.  The whole point of summer ball is to get better and win games.”

On picking Middle Tennessee, which is less than an hour away from his home: “I was recruited by mostly local schools.  I came on my visit here (to MTSU) and I felt that this was the best place for me.  The coaching staff and the facilities- we’re getting a new stadium- being in a good, competitive conference like the Sun Belt….it’s all working itself out.”

On his recent hot streak: “When I wasn’t really playing much, I just tried to work hard, keep a good attitude and stay confident.  I got my opportunity, had a good day and that built on another day.  It was a snowball effect, I guess.  I’ve been seeing the ball well and getting good swings on it.  Being able to see consistent pitching helps a lot.”

On his 2007 summer in the wooden bat KIT League: “I already knew the coach and three teammates; a high school teammate of mine was on the team also.  It was about three hours from home so it wasn’t too far.  The league was competitive.  We ended up winning the league and that was a great experience.”

Favorite movie: “I’ve got a couple- sports movies obviously.  I’d say Rudy, Field of Dreams, Hoosiers and Remember the Titans.”

Favorite food: “Lasagna.  My Mom makes great lasagna.”

Favorite music: “I like Linkin Park.  But I like all kinds of music.  You’re probably thinking ‘Here’s a Nashville kid.  He must love country music.’  And I like country music but I like all kinds.”

Favorite player: “Cal Ripken.  Ever since I was a kid, my favorite player was always Cal Ripken.  Every year I wanted to be #8.  I played on the Orioles when I was a kid.  My grandfather got me an autograph at a game in Camden Yards once.  It’s personalized and says ‘To Zach, Keep your eye on the ball, your friend Cal Ripken Jr.’ That one is hanging up on my wall.” 

The Manchester Silkworms are proud members of the NECBL.  The Silkworms have had nearly 40 alumni drafted by Major League Baseball and have sent three alumni to the Major Leagues.  For more information on the Silkworms or any specific player, please contact Don Leypoldt in Sports Information, or GM Ed Slegeski (SilkwormsGM@aol.com)

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