Chris Coduto/Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior Richie Gardner delivers to a batter at Sancet Field earlier this season. Gardner won both of his starts last week, earning him Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week honors.

Name: Richie Gardner
Year: Junior
Major: Sociology
Sport: Baseball
Position: Pitcher

Why Gardner won: The right-handed hurler went 2-0 with 17 strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA in two starts last week against New Mexico and Southern California. Gardner, who transferred to UA this season from Santa Rosa Community College (Calif.), pitched a combined 15 innings and improved his season record to 6-0 to earn Pacific-10 Conference pitcher of the week honors.

WILDCAT: What brought you down to Tucson from Santa Rosa?

GARDNER: My junior college coach, Damon Nylinger, was coached by coach Lopez and they have a good relationship so that's why I came here. They have the same style of coaching, so I thought it would be a good fit.

W: What was your reaction to the news that you were named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week?

G: My mom was the one that told me at lunchtime. It's cool, but I didn't even think it was that big of a deal because it's just one week out of a long season.

W: Do you think anybody else on the staff can join you and Sean Rierson and win it as well?

G: I'm sure Joe Little, Kevin Guyette, any of those guys are capable of winning it. We're all very solid pitchers.

W: Do you have any crazy superstitions while you are getting ready to go on the mound?

G: I wear my grandpa's watch the day I am going to pitch before I go on the field. I also have a pair of underwear that is bleached. They have bleach spots on them. I wear those when I pitch.

W: Have you always been a pitcher or did you play other positions?

G: I played all over before. I used to play shortstop, first base and center field. I used to hit really well too.

W: Why don't you hit anymore?

G: I'm not sure. I used to drop bombs in high school. I hit like seven home runs during my senior year of high school.

W: Is there any big leaguer that you would like the chance to throw against? Or not pitch to?

G: No, I really don't care who I throw to. I love playing baseball, but I don't sit there and watch Sportscenter every night. I don't follow a team or follow a player. I love the game, but I don't really think about 24-7. I like to go out, do stuff with friends. I like to draw. I love to surf, go to the beach, stuff like that.

W: Have you ever thrown at a batter on purpose?

G: Last week.

W: Last week?

G: Yeah, against New Mexico. Our coach said something to the other coach, and their coach told my pitching coach that he had no class. Then their batter stepped out on me when I was lifting my leg to throw. I was pissed off at the coach, and then the batter stepped out so I threw at him. I was sticking up for my coach.

W: I hate when that happens too.

G: I didn't try to hit him, but I put it as close to him as I could, as hard as I could, and it ended up about three inches from his face. I'll throw at people. That's a part of the game. I want to be intimidating out there and if somebody's messing with me, I want to show them that I can throw it pretty hard.

W: What is the fastest you've been clocked at?

G: I don't know, I think last week the guy said 94 (mph). I don't think I've thrown that hard, probably like 93. Maybe 90 or 91.

W: If you had to hit against someone who was throwing that fast, what do you think you would do?

G: I'd be scared, yeah. Who wouldn't be scared? That ball is going 94 miles per hour.

W: Would you turn around and throw it right back at him?

G: I don't know, I'm not that big. I'm kind of skinny so someone would probably work me over.