WILL GOWDY, quachita baptist tigers

He's modest and soft spoken, but when he steps between the chalked lines his arm and his bat are deafening. Senior utility man Will Gowdy burst onto the scene last season at Ouachita Baptist, earning the GSC West Player of the Year Award, First team All South Region and Third Team All America honors. Gowdy hit .429 with 29 doubles, 11 home runs and 55 RBI. He was the leader in virtually every offensive category for the Tigers. He was equally as impressive on the mound, going 10-3 with a 4.04 era; with 72 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings pitched.

The Amarillo, Texas native's road to Arkadelphia was not a smooth one. Arm surgery prior to his freshman year at Seward County CC limited his playing time. Although he was able to swing the bat at Seward the next season, he still was unable to pitch much. When the time came to move to the next level he was somewhat under the radar. Its cliché, but everything does happen for a reason. Now as his senior year approaches Gowdy is touching 92 on the gun and is poised for another monstrous year in the Gulf South Conference.

Ping!baseball got a chance to talk to Gowdy about his two years at Seward, the road to Arkadelphia, the upcoming season and the new faces of Ouachita Baptist.

Ping!Baseball: You spent your first two years of college at Seward County CC. How did playing for Coach McSpadden there prepare you for the tough competition of the GSC?

Gowdy: Just the way they taught us everything. They just taught us a better understanding of the game. They taught us all the small things that you really didn't notice (when in high school). They made you work hard every day to improve yourself.

Ping!Baseball: You didn't pitch much in Junior College…. Why not? I mean, it's pretty obvious from last year's numbers that you were more than capable.

Gowdy: Right before I went to Seward I had surgery on my elbow and it kept me from throwing a lot. I didn't really get my arm strength back for awhile so that's why I didn't throw.

Ping!Baseball: What led you to Ouachita Baptist and why did you chose to go there?

Gowdy: I didn't really have too many schools calling me until late in the summer. Coach Mog (Head Coach Chris Moddelmog) was calling me every week and just getting me to talk to him and he pretty much sold it for me to come here.

Ping!Baseball: Last year was truly a breakout year for you. What did you and Coach Moddelmog work on to get you to that level?

Gowdy: I just worked on being consistent every day and coming out here and working hard every day and not taking a day off… Just staying consistent at the plate and on the mound and doing things the same way.

Ping!Baseball: Who from this year's squad do you think is poised to have their own breakout year?

Gowdy: I think our first baseman Brock Green, he's a good hitter and I think he'll do something for us this year.

Ping!Baseball: You guys open with a tough Angelo State team and then have a game at home against Central Missouri. Would you prefer to ease into the competition or do you prefer to play some of the top teams in the country right off the bat?

Gowdy: I'd rather just play some of the top teams in the country right away. You get to prove how well you prepared in the fall and early spring.

Ping!Baseball: This season it's pretty certain that you'll be looked upon as a leader for the team. Are you a vocal guy or do you like to lead by example?

Gowdy: I more of a lead by example guy. I'm not very vocal, I don't talk a lot.

Ping!Baseball: You guys did lose some key players from last year, with your new players this season how do you feel about your teams chances of taking home the GSC crown?

Gowdy: We defiantly have a different team this year but I think we can do some things. We have a really strong defense with some of the guys that have come in. I think we will be more consistent than last year.