Q: What is your true height and weight?
A: "6-foot-1 and 230 pounds."
Q: You have signed with Southern Miss, what led you to choose the Golden Eagles?
A: "They are coming off that run to the College World Series and they always have a good program. The coaching staff was a big part of it too. I feel good about Coach Federinko and the direction the program is going. Also, it is close to home."
Q: Did you ever consider any other schools?
A: "Yeah, I thought about Memphis, Ole Miss a little bit, Central Florida, Alabama and a couple of JUCO's. In the end I just thought USM was right for me."
Q: Have the coaches at USM told you what role they plan on using you in?
A: "They have been talking to me about closing possibly. I may hit a little bit too but we haven't really talked specifics. I am just ready to get up there."
Q: Have you talked to any professional scouts?
A: "I haven't interacted with them that much but I have seen them at some games. The Mariners are coming to watch me pitch Tuesday, though."
Q: Do you play any other positions besides pitcher?
A: "I also play shortstop."
Q: Any preference of position?
A: "I like pitching. I like being in control of the game."
Q: How hard do you throw consistently?
A: "I live around 88-90."
Q: How many pitches do you throw?
A: "I am three pitch guy; fastball, curveball, changeup. I will mix in a slider every now and then. The fastball is my best of the bunch."
Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of your game?
A: "I think mental toughness is one of my biggest attributes. When I get out there and my arm is not feeling too good I still find a way to get it done. I need to probably step up my work ethic as far as practicing as hard as I play."
Q: What did being selected to the Dandy Dozen mean to you?
A: "Any kind of award is always good and to be recognized as one of the top 12 players in the state of Mississippi is something I am proud of. Individual awards don't mean a lot but when you do get recognized a little part of you is happy about that. It is all about the team and trying to win a State Championship this year though."
Q: Who is your favorite professional player?
A: "Jake Peavy. I just like the way he throws, he is kind of like a bulldog out there."
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: "Anything Italian. Chicken parmesan or anything like that is my favorite."
Q: Do you love Olive Garden like I do?
A: "Oh yeah! I could eat there every day. Soup, salad and breadsticks for $7.99"
Q: What is on your iPod right now?
A: "I think everyone has some Lil Wayne right now. I kind of like the oldies a little bit, my walk out song is Mr. Big Stuff. Rap, rock and a little bit of everything."
Q: Cats or Dogs, which one?
A: "Dogs."
Q: Other than baseball what are some of your interests?
A: "I want to go into sports medicine when I get up to Southern. I have always been a big football guy and I might try to play both sports when I get up there, I don't know yet."
Q: Other than baseball, what is the most fun thing to do in Pass Christian?
A: "Ha ha, nothing. Fishing is probably the most popular thing around here."
Q: What is something interesting about yourself that most people may not know?
A: "My real name is Marshall. When I was born I had really white hair and one of my aunts said that I looked like the quarterback Boomer (Esiason) and the name just kind of stuck."
Q: If you could pick any celebrity in the world to go on a date with, who would it be?
A: "Megan Fox. No doubt."
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Francis Wright is a writer for MississippiHardball.com, an independent website that covers Mississippi baseball, including high school, junior college and travel team ball. You can contact him by emailing fwright@mississippihardball.com.