Name: Jordan Brown
Year: sophomore
Position: first base
From: Vacaville, Calif.
Last weekend, sophomore Jordan Brown led the UA baseball team to a 2-1 series win over Washington State in its first Pacific 10 Conference series. Brown led all hitters with a .462 average on the weekend, going 6-for-13, with three doubles, two triples, six RBIs and three runs scored.
After beginning the season 1-for-15, Brown has improved over the team's last 12 games. He has a batting average of .487, including a team-high eight-game hitting streak. Brown now ranks third on the team in batting average.
On Sunday, Brown had his best game of the year. He went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and a run scored. He finished the day just a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.
Wildcat:: Big Pac-10 opening series win for you guys this weekend?
Brown: It's good to get the first series out of the way with two wins, although we feel we should have taken three. It's always good to get two, but it's not satisfactory because you always want to sweep.
Wildcat:: On Sunday, you were only a home run shy of the cycle. Did you know that during the game?
Brown: I had no idea. I don't look at that kind of stuff until after the game.
Wildcat:: Ever hit for the cycle?
Brown: Not in college. I'm not really a speed guy, so the triples don't really come too often.
Wildcat:: What's the greatest thrill in baseball?
Brown: For me, I'd say a clutch hit in the later part of a game.
Wildcat:: You struggled a bit in early this season. What's the difference between now and then?
Brown: Being relaxed. I've always said that the more you relax, the easier it is. Whenever you press too hard, you are not going to get the results you want, and I had set way too high expectations on my season.
Wildcat:: You guys have played in some tough parks this year. Which had the rowdiest fans?
Brown: Baylor. Whenever you go to Texas you are going to find the crazy fans.
Wildcat:: Is there any pitcher on your staff that you own?
Brown: I'll say (Chris) Frey (laughs).
Wildcat:: I saw in the media guide you are the career leader in home runs, hits, batting average and batters struck out at Vacaville High School. Are you the best athlete to come out of there?
Brown: I'm not going to say that.
Wildcat:: It also said you played basketball. Ever played against any of the basketball players here?
Brown: I just shoot around with them. I can't hang with (Channing) Frye and Mustafa (Shakur).
Wildcat:: What about softball players? Alicia Hollowell struck out 20 of 21 batters and threw a perfect game. You think you could get a hit off her?
Brown: She's from my area. I don't know. I've heard that it's a different game. I'd like to think I could, but I'm sure she thinks she could strike me out, too, and that's probably the case.
Wildcat:: What series are you most looking forward to this season?
Brown: Stanford, without a doubt.
Wildcat:: Now that the Major League Baseball season started this week, give me some of your predictions. World Series champs?
Brown: San Francisco Giants, all the way. I don't care if the Yankees are loaded.
Wildcat:: AL and NL MVPS?
Brown: NL is going to be Barry, always is. AL ... help me out.
Wildcat:: How about Vlad?
Brown: Yeah, that's a good one. I can see him going off with the Angels.
Wildcat:: AL and NL Cy Youngs?
Brown: Jason Schmidt and Barry Zito.
Wildcat:: Word association. Omaha.
Brown: Arizona.
Wildcat:: Coach Lopez.
Brown: Intense.
Wildcat:: Pitchers.
Brown: Non-athletes.
Wildcat:: ASU.
Brown: Not superior.