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Circling the Bases ... with Riley Swenson
2/8/2019 12:21:00 PM | Baseball
GopherSports.com asked the tough questions of Minnesota's nine rookies ahead of the 2019 spring season, wrapping up this week with Riley Swenson.
The son of Gophers Director of Baseball Operations Lee Swenson, Riley was raised in Gold Country. The younger Swenson played his prep baseball at Chaska High School, starting for the past two seasons for the Hawks. He earned All-Metro West honors and served as the team captain while helping lead Chaska to a conference title. He played his club baseball for the Chaska American Legion program.
Swenson was the second-ranked catcher and no. 16 overall prospect in the state of Minnesota according to Prep Baseball Report. Swenson batted .294 with five RBIs during the Steak 'n' Beans Series at Siebert Field this fall.
GopherSports.com: Why did you choose to attend the University of Minnesota?
Riley Swenson: "I grew up coming to Gopher games. That's where my love for this school began. I've never wanted to go anywhere else. On top of that, the coaching staff is great."
GS: When did you first start playing baseball and how did you first get involved in the sport?
RS: "I first started playing baseball when I was about two years old. My mother would throw the ball so it would hit my bat. My father was a huge influence on me and this sport. He passed his love for the game down to me."
GS: What would you say is your biggest strength in your sport? What is an area of improvement for yourself?
RS: "My biggest strength is my arm strength and hitting. I need to improve on my defense behind the plate."
GS: Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?
RS: "No."
GS: What is your most memorable moment of playing your sport?
RS: "My most memorable moment in this sport was hitting a home run in my last high school home game when the stands were packed."
GS: Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
RS: "My father; he has spent countless hours teaching me everything he knows and helping me to get where I am today."
GS: Did you play any other sports besides baseball growing up?
RS: I played football and basketball but I quit to focus on baseball freshman year of high school."
GS: What are you most looking forward to in this upcoming season?
RS: "I look forward to helping the team in anyway needed and being a great teammate and enjoying being around my team."
GS: Do you have any advice for aspiring youth athletes?
RS: "Just keep working hard because hard work really does pay off."
Minnesota opens the season next Friday, Feb. 15 against a fellow NCAA Tournament team from 2018 in Gonzaga at the College Baseball Classic in Surprise, Arizona. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Gopher Baseball season tickets are available now! The Maroon & Gold return to campus on Friday, March 29 against Nebraska. This 21-game package includes Minnesota's game against Oklahoma at Target Field on Saturday, April 20. Click here to purchase yours today.
The son of Gophers Director of Baseball Operations Lee Swenson, Riley was raised in Gold Country. The younger Swenson played his prep baseball at Chaska High School, starting for the past two seasons for the Hawks. He earned All-Metro West honors and served as the team captain while helping lead Chaska to a conference title. He played his club baseball for the Chaska American Legion program.
Swenson was the second-ranked catcher and no. 16 overall prospect in the state of Minnesota according to Prep Baseball Report. Swenson batted .294 with five RBIs during the Steak 'n' Beans Series at Siebert Field this fall.
GopherSports.com: Why did you choose to attend the University of Minnesota?
Riley Swenson: "I grew up coming to Gopher games. That's where my love for this school began. I've never wanted to go anywhere else. On top of that, the coaching staff is great."
GS: When did you first start playing baseball and how did you first get involved in the sport?
RS: "I first started playing baseball when I was about two years old. My mother would throw the ball so it would hit my bat. My father was a huge influence on me and this sport. He passed his love for the game down to me."
GS: What would you say is your biggest strength in your sport? What is an area of improvement for yourself?
RS: "My biggest strength is my arm strength and hitting. I need to improve on my defense behind the plate."
GS: Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?
RS: "No."
GS: What is your most memorable moment of playing your sport?
RS: "My most memorable moment in this sport was hitting a home run in my last high school home game when the stands were packed."
GS: Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
RS: "My father; he has spent countless hours teaching me everything he knows and helping me to get where I am today."
GS: Did you play any other sports besides baseball growing up?
RS: I played football and basketball but I quit to focus on baseball freshman year of high school."
GS: What are you most looking forward to in this upcoming season?
RS: "I look forward to helping the team in anyway needed and being a great teammate and enjoying being around my team."
GS: Do you have any advice for aspiring youth athletes?
RS: "Just keep working hard because hard work really does pay off."
Minnesota opens the season next Friday, Feb. 15 against a fellow NCAA Tournament team from 2018 in Gonzaga at the College Baseball Classic in Surprise, Arizona. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Gopher Baseball season tickets are available now! The Maroon & Gold return to campus on Friday, March 29 against Nebraska. This 21-game package includes Minnesota's game against Oklahoma at Target Field on Saturday, April 20. Click here to purchase yours today.
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