2008 Woodie Awards
Quick chat with Bearcat pitcher Dustin Childress
Ryan Cochran
Issue date: 4/22/04 Section: Sports
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Comment on this articleOmnibus: How does it feel to be the new record holder for strikeouts in a single season at SBU? Assistant Coach Jeff Abbott held the previous record with 80 strikeouts in a single season. Childress now has 82.
Childress: It felt special, Coach Abbott really encouraged me to go after it. I was a little concerned about how he might feel, but he supported me all the way. When I got my 81st strikeout, I actually didn't know I had broken the record. I knew I was close but didn't know for sure. I knew I did it though when Coach Abbott came out of the dugout to greet me as the new record holder.
Omnibus: How long have you been pitching?
Childress: I have been pitching since I was about 8 years old. I played in leagues until I got into high school.
Omnibus: Tell us about your high school career.
Childress: I was home schooled. My freshman and sophomore year I played legion ball in Lebanon, Missouri. My junior and senior years I played on select teams over the summer. The select teams I was on played in tournaments around the Midwest. I never played for a high school team though.
Omnibus: Where did you start your college career?
Childress: My first two years of college I played at Tennessee Temple in Chattanooga. It was not NCAA ball, but the school specialized in baseball. In my sophomore year, (last year) I was named to the All-South Regional Conference team. I had 86 strikeouts in that year.
Omnibus: How did you get recruited to come to SBU?
Childress: Most importantly, I wanted to be closer to home. It was a 10 hour drive for my family to come see me pitch when I was in Tennessee. That and some people knew me from around the area. The Martin Twins put a good word to Coach Berg for me. I then came to try out here and met Coach Berg. He watched me pitch and told me he would like to have me here. I liked Coach Berg and wanted to move closer to home, so I decided to come here. It is great because in the fall semester I can go home every weekend and see my family.
Omnibus: Compare your performance this year to your performance last year.
Childress: I am stronger physically this year and that has really helped me out a lot. I also believe I am more experienced and I am pitching smarter. After two years of college ball, I got hit around a little bit and learned from my mistakes. I think it also helps that I have a good catcher. I have had a special bond with Jesse Dziurawiec (DZ), my catcher here, ever since he caught for me in my tryout. When you have someone behind the mound calling good pitches for you, it really helps.
Omnibus: How do you think your arm will be down the final stretch?
Childress: With eight games left, I will probably get two more starts, so I think my arm should be fine. It is still recovering well. I am also looking to break the innings pitched record for SBU, currently at 84, for a single season. I currently have pitched 79 innings and ,with two more starts, I think I can finish in the upper 80s.
Omnibus: How do you think you can help the team down the final stretch?
Childress: Right now we are playing well, and every time I go out there I just try to keep the game close and give the hitters a chance to do their thing. I just give it all I have every time I go out there. I give God the glory for keeping me healthy this year and allowing me to do what I do. I say a little prayer before I go out on the mound each time, for my safety, because I know one wrong pitch and my arm could go. I also would like to add that my family has been a tremendous support to me this year. My mom, dad and sister have been to every game this year and it has really encouraged me to do well.
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