May 23, 2000

by Michelle Warner, Illinois Athletic Public Relations

MW: You were drafted right out of high school, what made you decide to play baseball at Illinois?
JA: I wanted to go to college. I don?t think at that time I was ready to play pro ball. I thought that college would give me a chance to mature and become a better pitcher.

MW: Your freshman year against Houston, you hit four batters, but this year the team beat Houston when it was ranked #3 nationally. Was that game a redemption for you?
JA: It was in the back of my mind. I knew this year we were the better team and we could come out and beat them.

MW: Being picked for pre-season accolades, how does it affect your pitching?
JA: Before the season started, I was thinking about it some. Since the season started, I'm focusing on winning games.

MW: Tell us a little about your pre-game rituals.
JA: I always wear my lucky Danville softball shirt under my uniform. And I polish my shoes in the dugout before the game. Once I start warming up, I play catch from the foul line. I stand on the foul line with the catcher in the outfield, which is backwards from what everyone else does. There are so many little ones, I can't think of them all--it just comes automatically when I?m warming up.

MW: Who are you closest to on the team?
JA: The junior class, the guys I came in with. We've all lived together and been together for three years now. We have been through everything together.

MW: You have listed ping-pong and golf as your other favorite sports--do you have some fascination with sports with white balls?
JA: I've never really thought about it. I guess it is just a coincidence.

MW: How big is your hometown support, since you are from nearby Danville?
JA: The support I get from Danville is huge. My family is very supportive as well, not just to me but also the entire team. They are the ones who get the word out about the team. When people come out that you know to watch, it shows we are doing a good job.

MW: What goals have you wanted to accomplish this year?
JA: I wanted to win the Big Ten Championship again, and we did win the conference tournament. I also wanted make it to the regional tournament, and we have. Now I would like us to go as far as we can in the (NCAA) Tournament.

MW: Can you picture your life without baseball?
JA: I think my life would be very boring. I probably would sleep half of the time. The rest of the time I would have to join something to fill the space that baseball takes right now.