Texas Tech University Athletics
Q&A With Texas Tech Baseball's Roger Kieschnick
July 10, 2007 | Baseball
July 10, 2007
How has the season been going so far?
It's been going alright. I think we are struggling a little bit. We just lost our first series in American - Japan history. But we won yesterday and we are looking forward to the Pan-America Games.
How do you like the team so far?
I like them a lot. There are a lot of great guys on the team and a lot of great ball players. One of the guys on the team I've played with since I was 12, Petey Peramore form Arizona State, so I know a bunch of these guys and I look forward to playing the rest of the summer with them.
How do you compare this years USA Baseball squad to the one you were on last year?
It's still kind of early, we have only been together two weeks so far. Last year was a great bunch of guys and I think this team has a chance to be as good or even better than last year's team.
What has been one of the more special experiences so far this season?
On July 4th, we got to wear camouflage jerseys and we played Japan in front of 10-15,000 people. We ended up winning the game and they had fireworks afterwards. My parents ended up coming that week so it was a great experience.
Has this season been what you expected based on your experience with the team last season?
Definitely, Eric Campbell and USA Baseball, the general manager, they do a great job. As far as the team, they take care of us in anyway possible.
Being one of the few returning players from last year's team; did you feel like it was necessary to take on a leadership role with this year's squad?
Yes, guys ask me all the time what to expect. Me and Perdo Alverez, from Vanderbilt, are the ones who have `been there, done that,' so we definitely take charge, help the pitchers out and help the guys in anyway that we can.
How has the interaction been with the international players?
We ended up trading a couple of things: some gloves, jackets, and bats with Japan. They speak a little bit of English so we can some what communicate. But they are all pretty goofy guys I guess you can say.
Do you speak any Japanese?
Kon nee chee wa, that's it.
Are you looking forward to traveling to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and what do you expect there?
Definitely, I look forward to it. We are going to be staying in the Olympic Village while we are there with the rest of the teams and the rest of the USA Olympic teams are going to be there like softball and swimming and all of the other teams. So we will get to meet USA's best so that will be a neat experience and I'm looking forward to it.
What are some of the things you and the team have done off the field?
We haven't had much free time. When we got to Newport, RI, got to go to the beach and hang out. A couple of guys rented some scooters and drove around town so that was pretty funny. We really haven't had much time to do anything, its pretty much been baseball everyday all the time.
Who have you been hanging out with the most on the team?
Right now my roommate is Jordan Danks from Texas. We played together when we were younger. But pretty much everyone I guess you could say.
Has the news about the addition of the new baseball coaches at Tech made this upcoming season a little more exciting?
Definitely, I'm excited about getting with those coaches and I look forward to next year. I've told some of the other players on the USA team that we are getting the Oregon State coach and we're getting Coach Petrie and they were like `wow' and were excited for us. They are both really good coaches.
