May 11, 2009
Over the last two seasons, Stanford first baseman Brent Milleville has been among the Pac-10's most respected and feared hitters. He earned 2008 honorable mention all-conference accolades after driving in a club-high 48 runs over Stanford's final 37 games, including a memorable, game-winning, two-run home run in a NCAA Regional elimination contest. The Wichita, KS native enters the final two weeks of the 2009 regular season with a .331 batting average, while he ranks among the Pac-10 offensive leaders for home runs (4th - 14), RBI (3rd - 50) and slugging percentage (7th - .649).
Milleville has helped Stanford rebound from a tough start to post a 21-11 record of its past 32 games, batting .381 with 14 homers, 47 RBI, a .778 slugging percentage and a .446 on-base mark since March 25. He drove in 16 runs in five games last week, and is hitting at a .391 clip with 11 homers and 40 RBI in his last 23 contests
Milleville recently answered questions for gostanford.com about his four years at Stanford, his penchant for clutch hitting and what he hopes is in store for the 2009 Cardinal:
Being a senior, can you describe - in a couple sentences - what your Stanford experience has been like so far?
It's been everything I could have imagined and more. Baseball has gone really well and I've made a lot of great friends. I graduated after Winter Quarter and looking back I don't think there's one thing I would have done differently.
The 2008 season had a stacked lineup - featuring four regulars that were selected in the MLB draft - and you led the team with 48 RBI over the final 37 games. Do you feel that you thrive in clutch, runners in scoring position at-bats?
I do feel that way. I love being at the plate with runners on and an opportunity to help the team win. This year I am trying to carry that focus over to my other at-bats to make my game a little more well rounded.
Can you describe how you felt after hitting the two-run, ninth-inning homer that put Stanford ahead 5-4 en route to an 8-4, Regional elimination game victory over UC Davis last year?
It was unbelievable. I thought that Coach Marquess was going to have me bunt to play for the tie, but he let me swing and the only thing I was thinking about was not hitting into a double play. After I hit the home run I really didn't think anyone would get in our way to Omaha and they didn't.
What is your favorite place on campus?
I would have to say the golf course. I finally started playing on our course this year and I was amazed at how beautiful it is up there, especially the back nine. I would definitely recommend playing a round to anyone who hasn't had that opportunity yet.
What is one thing that people don't know about you?
I really enjoy reading. Jeff Whitlow has recently introduced me to some fantasy books and authors recently so that is currently what I'm into.
What has been the favorite moment of your collegiate career to date?
Winning the first game of the 2008 College World Series against Florida State. After going ahead in the ninth we ended up scoring 11 runs in one inning and tying a CWS record. I think that is something that I will always remember as being the most exciting moment of my baseball career.
You spent the summer of 2008 playing for the Brewster Whitecaps of the prestigious Cape Cod League. What was that experience like?
It was unbelievable. I am lucky I had the opportunity to play in the Cape. The competition was incomparable in college baseball; not to mention the area was extremely beautiful and an awesome place to spend the summer.
What is the one lesson you will take away from your time at Stanford?
Meet as many people as you can. I have met a lot of people since I have been here but I really don't think I have met enough of my fellow students. Knowing people, especially coming from Stanford, will help you network all across the country and that is hardly ever a bad thing.
What are the goals you have set for yourself and the team for the rest of 2009?
First and foremost, as a team we need to win the majority of our remaining games to get a bid into the postseason. We really struggled at the beginning of the year and now we are down to the crunch time. This is my last chance to make a run at a national title and I will be extremely disappointed in myself if I don't help the team make it out of the regular season.