True freshman first baseman Sonny DiChiaro is in the middle of a breakout season for the Bulldogs leading the team in homeruns with 10. He also leads the team in slugging and runs batted in.
Collin Reese:How long have you been playing baseball?
Sonny DiChiaro: I’ve been playing baseball since I was 5 years old.
CR: How has the transition been from playing high school baseball just a year ago to now playing at the collegiate level?
SD: The transition from high school to college has been mainly the speed of the game. College games have a lot quicker pace to them than high school games do.
CR: What is your favorite part about Samford off the field?
SD: My favorite part about Samford off the field is the beautiful campus.
CR: What is your major and what do you hope to do after your time here at Samford?
SD: I am currently a Finance major. In the future, I plan on being a financial advisor.
CR: What do you think are your biggest strengths on the field as a player?
SD: My biggest strengths on the field are my ability to communicate and the effort that I put into playing each game and seeing each pitch.
CR: What is your favorite part about this year’s team?
SD: My favorite part about this team is how close we are as a group and how we know that we are the best team every time we step on the field no matter the outcome of the game.
CR: What has been your most memorable moment this season?
SD: I’d have to say that the most memorable moment so far is when we went up against the number one team in the country when we played Vanderbilt. We fought hard and didn’t get the outcome we wanted but we matched up extremely well against them.
CR: What is your go-to meal in the Caf?
SD: The grilled cheese always hits the spot.
CR: Who is your favorite professional baseball player? And your favorite professional team?
SD: My favorite players of all time are Albert Pujols and Manny Ramirez. I’d have to say that my favorite team to follow is the Yankees.
CR: What is your favorite part about the game of baseball as a whole?
SD: My favorite part about baseball is the friendships and relationships that you are able to build through playing on a team.
CR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as you have grown up playing baseball?
SD: My dad has had a great impact on me as well as my high school coach. They both had a significant impact on my baseball career.
DiChiaro and the Bulldogs will take on the Citadel in a three-game series starting Friday, April 12. The games will be broadcast on ESPN3.
Collin is a sports writer for The Crimson. He is a senior finance major.
