As a redshirt sophomore, Blake Baumgartner has taken over the first base position for eighth-ranked UC San Diego. A part-time player during the 2018 run to Cary after redshirting as a true freshman, he started 30 of 41 games played, of the Tritons' 60 on the year, with 28 of those starts coming as the designated hitter. He was more of a regular in a potent lineup toward the end of the season, starting 12 of the last 14 contests, including all four at both the CCAA Tournament and NCAA West Regional. The Stevenson Ranch product has parlayed that experience into a permanent, starring role for the Tritons in 2019, currently leading them in multiple-hit (eight) and multiple-RBI (six) games, batting average (.343), runs (20-tied), RBI (21), walks (26), slugging (.672) and on-base percentage (.521). He has started all 21 games thus far at first base, and joined us as our latest Q&A guest ahead of a huge home showdown with rival Chico State beginning Friday night at 6 p.m. at Triton Ballpark.
Q: You've been around long enough to know the rivalry between UC San Diego and Chico State. That's who the Tritons have up next, as winners of 10 in a row, with the Wildcats taking 10 of their last 11. How big is this series for you guys?
BAUMGARTNER: This is a huge series for both teams. Both teams are playing well, and all the games in conference are very important. It is always fun to play against Chico, because of the competitive nature of all of the games.
Q: How incredible did it feel to find your way into a lineup as prolific as the one UC San Diego put out last year?
BAUMGARTNER: It felt great to get into the lineup last year. There were a bunch of really quality hitters on our team last year, and that is what made our lineup so deep. It was really fun to string together some explosive innings with a lot of different guys having quality at-bats.
Q: One of the more memorable moments of last year's Cary run was your ninth-inning at-bat in the third game of the West Regional where you fouled off two bunt attempts, including one off your helmet, before taking a ball and smacking an opposite-field, two-run home run that provided what proved to be the winning runs against California Baptist. What do you remember about that plate appearance?
BAUMGARTNER: That was definitely the most memorable at-bat in my baseball career up to this point. After I got to two strikes, I was just looking to defend the zone and try to put our team in a better position to win the game. I got a pitch I could handle, and put a good swing on it. It felt great to help our team get closer to Cary.
Q: You live with fellow third-year Tritons Brandon Stewart and Ted Stuka. You and Brandon redshirted as true freshmen, while Teddy threw just seven innings. Fast forward to two years later, and how awesome is it that all three of you are such important contributors to a program vying for conference, region and national titles?
BAUMGARTNER: It is awesome to see the growth in all three of our games. All of us came in freshman year as much different players than we are now. Brandon is doing a great job in center field and providing a spark wherever he is in the lineup, and Ted has been doing a great job on the mound for us this year. I think both of them are only going to continue to improve and help our team win. I'm really excited to see where the game takes them.
Q: We ultimately don't seem to know who the last Triton was who went directly over the center field wall at Triton Ballpark. Did you have any concept at the time as to the rarity of that feat, and how proud are you that you were able to hit one out there?
BAUMGARTNER: When I first hit the home run to center field (Feb. 16 against Cal State Monterey Bay), I definitely knew that it was a rare place to hit one out at our field. I did not remember anyone hitting one out there in a game since I have been at UCSD. A lot of great hitters have played at our field, so I was definitely proud to hit it out to that part of the field.
Q: Do you see a ceiling for yourself? How many home runs do you think you can hit in a season?
BAUMGARTNER: I don't have a specific number that I am aiming for in terms of home runs. As I go through the year, I am trying to have quality at-bats to help put our team in the best position to win. I know if I do this, the home runs will come.
Q: What did you take away while redshirting and practicing every day from that 2017 team that was national runner-up with veterans like Jack Larsen, Brandon Shirley and JD Hearn in the lineup, and watching the type of run Jack in particular had late in that year?
BAUMGARTNER: My redshirt year was a huge year of growth for me as a player. Getting to watch guys like Jack, Brandon and JD play gave me an idea of the types of things I needed to be working on and doing to take my game to the next level. These guys set a great example for the younger guys to follow, and really showed what it takes to win games. Jack's run at the end of the year was a crazy stretch to watch. It was also impressive to see him do it in the playoffs against the best teams in Division II.
Q: What did you learn about playing first base from observing Tyler Durna the last two years?
BAUMGARTNER: Durna was a great example both offensively and defensively. In the box, he was a very complete hitter. He showed how to compete and win at-bats. It was very fun watching him battle with pitchers and grind out quality at-bats. On defense, he was also very solid. Overall, he is a great example to try and follow so I can continue to improve my game in all areas.
Q: Is there a professional player or two whom you admire and try to emulate?
BAUMGARTNER: (Cleveland Indians third baseman) Jose Ramirez is my favorite professional player. I really like watching his at-bats, as well as his versatility on defense. I think he is one of the most complete hitters in MLB.
Q: You've said in the past that you love going to Hawai'i. How many times have you been there, and what do you like most about it?
BAUMGARTNER: I have been to Hawai'i around six times. I love going to Hawai'i to relax and have fun. I really enjoy the beaches in Hawai'i, and all the other things the islands have to offer. I have also traveled to some other places around the United States as well as Europe.
Previous 2019 Triton Baseball Q&A Features
Kyle Lucke (March 14)
Triton Assistant Coaches (Feb. 28)
Blaine Jarvis (Feb. 14)
Jonah Dipoto (Jan. 31)
Preston Mott (Jan. 24)
Alex Eliopulos (Jan. 17)
About UC San Diego Athletics
With 30 national team championships, nearly 150 individual titles and the top student-athlete graduation rate among Division II institutions in the United States, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program annually ranks as one of the most successful in the country. The Tritons sponsor 23 intercollegiate sport programs that compete on the NCAA Division I and II levels and, in summer 2020, will transition into full Division I status as a member of the Big West Conference. UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent. A total of 80 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 36 have earned prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships. In competition, more than 1,300 UC San Diego student-athletes have earned All-America honors.
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