Getting to know: Zach Hudson
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)
