Durant’s Tyler Danish, a senior right-hander committed to the University of Florida, had yet to give up an earned run this season entering the Cougars region quarterfinal game May 1. He is also batting .387 with 24 RBI, including two home runs in the district tournament, which the Cougars won for the first time since 2001.
What did the district title mean to you and your team?
It was huge, especially coming out of the district we came out of. To win it for the first time in 12 years is just huge and was a part of our goals when we met in February. To do it my senior year is something I will never forget, and I don’t think the other seniors will, either.
What was your mentality going into the district tournament?
I was definitely focused. The talk going in was that usually, the top seed gets knocked out. I’ve seen that the first three years I was here, so we didn’t want to be the team again. We came in focused as a team and just played well.
How have you been able to stay focused with all the hype?
The big thing for me coming in was to just win games. If I had a great year, I had a great year, and if I didn’t, and we won, then that was great for us, as well. I couldn’t be happier with the year I’ve had and the team we have.
How have you seen your pitching develop?
My slider. Coming in, it was my out pitch, but I didn’t think that it was going to be my dominating pitch that I could throw for a strike when I needed. About halfway through the year, I started throwing a change up, and it makes everything easier, because, instead of having two pitches, I have three dominate pitches I can throw.
Are you hoping having three pitches will help your MLB stock?
I know that it definitely helps to have three strong pitches. I’ve been told by scouts that with two pitches, I would probably be a bullpen guy, which would be fine, but I’m just trying to get better in everything I do and become a dominant pitcher.
I think about it before every start, that this could be the night the streak ends. But if it ends and we win, I’ll be happy. It’s a great run I put together and something I think a lot of people have never done, and I’m just blessed to have the opportunity.