"As our baseball season has progressed we've all gotten a lot closer. For the most part, we all hang out together and we get along great."

Mike Rauwerdink

Beginning his baseball career, senior and pitcher Mike Rauwerdink was a below average player, but with a little push from his coaches he is now playing at a Division I school and throwing an average of 88 mph fastballs.

Saluting the senior as he wraps up his final years here with the Panthers, Assistant Sports Editor Mary Franzen takes a look at its star pitcher.

Post: What do you think makes you a good baseball player?

MR: I think what makes me a good baseball player is the fact that I'm really competitive. My competitive drive is what helps me compete at this level and for the most part overachieve in the three years that I've been here.

Post: How have you changed since high school?

MR: In high school I was really small and probably a below average baseball player. I didn't have any schools looking at me to play baseball and it took my High School Legion coach to convince me to try out at a Lakeland College for the baseball team. Since high school I“ve put on about 60 pounds and my velocity has gone up almost 10 mph. I did all that through heavy lifting and healthy eating.

Post: How well do you get along with your teammates?

MR: As our baseball season has progressed we've all gotten a lot closer. For the most part, we all hang out together and we get along great. Even though we're all different people off the field, we respect each of our abilities on the field and would do anything for each other.

One thing that has gotten a lot better is the way that we help each other out during the game. When the starters come off the field our bench is always up and high-fiving our teammates. I think that we'll all get closer to each other as the season progresses.

Post: What do you think you're going to do with baseball after college is done?

MR: I think baseball has helped prepare me for what is to come after college. In order to be a good college athlete you have to have a competitive drive to be the best. College baseball has helped me accept nothing but success in my life and for the most part I can't wait for new and exciting challenges to come to me.

Post: What is your best asset to the team?

MR: I think my best asset to the team is the fact that I'm an overachiever. I came to Milwaukee from a Division III school and I had to earn everything.

I think most of the guys don't really realize how far I've come since my sophomore year and that you can't just take for granted the skills that have gotten you this far in your athletic career.

I'm not a vocal leader on the team, but I try and lead by example. I'd hope that I can set an example for the younger guys on our team and show them how to succeed at this level.

Post: Who do you look up to the most on the team?

MR: It's hard for me to look up to anyone on our team because most of the seniors on our team I grew up with through baseball. Last year, I learned a lot from our senior class.

One person that I really admire and try and model myself not only athletically but socially is Mike Goetz. He worked so hard and did more than anyone else thought he could.

To add to this great work ethic, he was probably the nicest guy I've ever talked to. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone and he was always willing to help anyone who needed it. Some of his actions are things that I can carry with me through the rest of my life.

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