Instant Interview Responses: Davey Penny

Instant Interview Responses: Davey Penny

05/01/2003

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Following are the responses given by East Carolina senior pitcher Davey Penny during his live, online "Instant Interview" on ECUpirates.com this afternoon.

The new "Instant Interview" feature on the Pirates' official web site will provide fans with live access to question-and-answer sessions with ECU student-athletes and coaches on a regular basis. Check the site often to see who the next ECU guest will be.

Chat Moderator : Welcome to Instant Interview, Davey. Thanks for taking time to be our first-ever guest!
Davey Penny : Thanks, good to be here. I'm ready to take your questions.

Penny's Biggest Fan : How do you prepare for a game, do you have an rituals or superstitions?
Davey Penny : Too many to mention. Involves workout, conditioning, running, even eating behaviors.

G-pirate : What do you think of the women at ECU?
Davey Penny : Different!

Pirate Crazy : With the departure of Sam Narron, was there any additional pressure put on you to become the No.1 starter this year?
Davey Penny : Not really. I felt like we had a good staff top to bottom. Didn't really even feel like I was No. 1.

Stiffler : What has been the biggest disappointment for you this season?
Davey Penny : For me personally, it's been the time I've had to miss due to sickness and injury.

R. Johnson : Other than winning, what does the team have to do to put them in a position to make the post season again this year?
Davey Penny : We definitely have to win the tournament and we know that. We've just got to believe, just like the fans do.

Thomas : What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to face this year as the No. 1 starter?
Davey Penny : Just to work harder and prepare myself physically and mentally.

Jungle Fan from Clayton : Do you think you will be able to start this weekend after your recent injury?
Davey Penny : I'm hard-headed and I shouldn't, but I'd like to. My doctors have advised me against it, but I'm still day-to-day.

Clayton NC : Was Coach LeClair the main reason you chose to play for ECU?
Davey Penny : He was probably the main determining factor. That and the fans and the community. This place is better than any I've been to.

ChuckinCharlotte : What is the frame of mind of the team when we are in a close game in the late innings? I have noticed that we are losing alot of close ballgames by one run.
Davey Penny : We're still positive ... always positive. Sometimes frustrated, but still with plenty of positive thoughts and encouragement.

Ronald Williams : Throughout you career at ECU, what has been your biggest accomplishment to date?
Davey Penny : My biggest accomplishment to date is how I've grown as a person, overall. Everything I've accomplished off the field means as much to me as what I've done on the field.

Alex : What is different about the style of coaching between Coach LeClair and Coach Mazey?
Davey Penny : Many of Coach Mazey's coaching styles and techniques are similar. There's just a different feel with him as there would be with any other head coach. But there's still a good vibe.

Dave : What do you think the prospects are for the Pirates to finish the season strong and make it into a regional?
Davey Penny : I'd say high. The hitting is coming on strong lately and there's some young pitchers who are stepping up big-time for us lately, so that gives us a lot of hope.

DC Pirate : Are you single? Ready to mingle?
Davey Penny : I can't say that I am. I'm very happily taken and very fortunate and thankful!

Neil : What made you want to come to East Carolina and be a Pirate and how do you feel the new baseball stadium will impact future recruits?
Davey Penny : Everything about playing baseball here. Just the whole feel of being a baseball player. That stadium will help the players, the fans and the whole community.

John : When do you expect to make your next start after your injury at TCU?
Davey Penny : Against UAB at the latest.

Phil : What was the best game you've pitched this year?
Davey Penny : I don't feel like I've had a great game. There's been some good ones. That's tough. I'm the kind of guy that's never satisfied with my performance no matter how good or bad I do.

pirates rule : Do we have the young pitchers on the staff that can step in next year without losing a beat?
Davey Penny : No doubt, and I hear we've got some great new guys coming in.

ECbuc : Who's the toughest hitter you've had to face while at ECU?
Davey Penny : Chad Tracy in intersquads.

Alex : Are you planing to play baseball professionally?
Davey Penny : That's my dream. God might have different plans.

JPIRATE : What is your greatest Pirate memory in baseball? Why?
Davey Penny : I'd say the emotion that I experienced last year when we beat Houston in the C-USA championship game. Because of the atmosphere, the significance of the game, and it being the first C-USA championship in any sport. Just being a part of it was special because we overcame a lot of obstacles to do that.

JPIRATE : If you were a Disney character, which one would you be and why?
Davey Penny : Goofy, because that's what my girlfriend calls me all the time.

Chris : Out of all the guys, who will you miss most?
Davey Penny : I'd like to think that I'm not going to miss any of them because I hope to keep in touch with all of them. We've all made great friendships together.

#1PirateFan : Who do you feel is ECU's biggest baseball rival? In conference? and Out of conference?
Davey Penny : In conference, I'd say it's Houston. They were considered the best and we wanted to beat the best. Out of conference, UNC Wilmington and State are two teams that we always want to beat and hate to lose to.

Neil : Do you enjoy going to other ECU sporting events (ie. football & basketball) and do you plan on staying active in ECU athletics after graduating? ...AND becoming a Pirate Club member!?!
Davey Penny : I've been bleeding purple and gold for four years and I plan on staying a part of everything as long as I can. The sporting events are great ... there's a great atmosphere at all the events.

Dave : Do you feel that ECU has the best baseball atmosphere of any of the places you play?
Davey Penny : No doubt. Absolutely, no questions asked ... yes! I hope The Jungle lives forever!

ECU Pirate : Do you have any insight as to future OOC opponents that might start to come to Greenville once the stadium is complete?
Davey Penny : I'm not real sure. I know they're going to Arizona State next year. Hopefully, the top teams in the country will want to come here and try to beat the Pirates.

Ron : Who is your favorite major league baseball team?
Davey Penny : I've got family in Georgia, so I grew up a Braves fan. Since back when Dale Murphy played. Other than that, any team that Nolan Ryan or Roger Clemens played for.

Vinnie DeNunzio : Do you reside on-campus or off-campus in Greenville?
Davey Penny : Off-campus.

ECU Pirate : North Carolina overall is a hotbed for baseball talent especially Greenville, is the coaching staff looking outside of the North Carolina area for recruits? If so, can you name a few other states?
Davey Penny : I know the ties are strong, especially in eastern North Carolina, for all the high schools there. As far as recruiting, the coaches will watch tournaments with teams from all over the nation, so there really is no favorite state or area. Just trying to get the best to come play for the Pirates.

ECU Pirate : Now that it is your second time around in C-USA how do you feel the level of competition is for C-USA compared to CAA?
Davey Penny : Definitely steps above. I feel like this year we were a little better prepared for it than last year. Last year, it was a little slap in the face to start with. I think East Carolina should be thankful to be in Conference USA. It's a great conference for everything.

Brown : What are you impressions of freshman Adam Witter? Is he part of the near- future of Pirate baseball?
Davey Penny : I like to watch Witter swing the stick. I think he's a fairly pure hitter. He's a humble, hard-working kid, the kind we like to bring in here all the time.

ECU Pirate : Can you elaborate on the spirit of the team with all the one run ball game losses this year, how are the guys feeling, especially since we are use to winning these type of games.
Davey Penny : Our guys don't miss a lick. They know that have to keep working hard and stay positive. These games don't get us down. It's just that this year, we've lost more of these types of games than we usually do. That's baseball.

Chat Moderator : Thanks again for taking time to be with us this afternoon and good luck for the rest of the season.
Davey Penny : I appreciate everything, all the support and encouragement and I hope to be back out there soon. Thanks for all the questions! Hope to do it again soon.

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