2008 Woodie Awards
Mayer brings experience
Luke Devoe
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: Sports
Junior pitcher Andy Mayer remembers his first collegiate start vividly. There he was standing on the mound in the bottom of the 1st inning, preparing to face nationally ranked Wake Forest University, a team with two All-Americans who regularly compete with the nation's best on the Atlantic Coast Conference stage.
Up steps the Demon Deacons leadoff hitter, Austin Jones. After a tough battle Jones works the count to three balls and two strikes. Andy gains his composure, rears back, fires and Jones crushes the pitch over the right-center field fence for a home run. "Welcome to college baseball Andy," Mayer said to himself. Mayer rebounded after that game and went on to lead the team in wins, games started and innings pitched his freshman year.
Growing up in nearby Trumbull, Conn. Mayer played baseball and basketball through most of his youth. When it came to deciding where he wanted to play baseball at a collegiate level, Mayer chose Quinnipiac over Baylor University, Richmond University and the University of Connecticut.
Upon his arrival at Quinnipiac, manager Dan Gooley threw Mayer into the mix right away.
"I was only supposed to get minimal innings my freshman year and maybe get a chance to close the non-conference games. I ended up being a starter with the most wins and innings pitched," Mayer said.
Right of the bat, Mayer gained an immediate respect for his manager.
"Skip Gooley and I have a good relationship," Mayer said. "He is all business when it comes to the game, but when we're off the field he is one to crack a joke and give you advice in every aspect of your life."
Gooley is also known for being a major advocate of his players being students first and athletes second. Mayer went on to say that Gooley "wants all of his players to get the best education possible and he makes sure that happens."
Baseball players, maybe more than any athletes, are known for having their eccentricities and superstitions. Mayer refuses to refer to his pre-game rituals as superstitious but more of a routine.
Up steps the Demon Deacons leadoff hitter, Austin Jones. After a tough battle Jones works the count to three balls and two strikes. Andy gains his composure, rears back, fires and Jones crushes the pitch over the right-center field fence for a home run. "Welcome to college baseball Andy," Mayer said to himself. Mayer rebounded after that game and went on to lead the team in wins, games started and innings pitched his freshman year.
Growing up in nearby Trumbull, Conn. Mayer played baseball and basketball through most of his youth. When it came to deciding where he wanted to play baseball at a collegiate level, Mayer chose Quinnipiac over Baylor University, Richmond University and the University of Connecticut.
Upon his arrival at Quinnipiac, manager Dan Gooley threw Mayer into the mix right away.
"I was only supposed to get minimal innings my freshman year and maybe get a chance to close the non-conference games. I ended up being a starter with the most wins and innings pitched," Mayer said.
Right of the bat, Mayer gained an immediate respect for his manager.
"Skip Gooley and I have a good relationship," Mayer said. "He is all business when it comes to the game, but when we're off the field he is one to crack a joke and give you advice in every aspect of your life."
Gooley is also known for being a major advocate of his players being students first and athletes second. Mayer went on to say that Gooley "wants all of his players to get the best education possible and he makes sure that happens."
Baseball players, maybe more than any athletes, are known for having their eccentricities and superstitions. Mayer refuses to refer to his pre-game rituals as superstitious but more of a routine.
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