Brett Marr plays shortstop for the Rockhurst baseball team. He has started every single game since he arrived his freshman year in 2014. Marr currently leads the Hawks and is second in the GLVC in batting average at .500. He answered some questions about his career at Rockhurst, the season so far and what's to come.
 
What drove your decision to come to Rockhurst?
 
Marr: The past success of Rockhurst baseball really interested me in coming here and the fact that Coach Burns told me that he has only had six shortstops for him in all of his years at Rockhurst. Becoming the seventh made Rockhurst seem like a good fit for me and I was excited for the opportunity.
 
Since you entered Rockhurst your freshman year, you have started every single game for the Hawks (64). Is that something you take pride in?
 
Marr: Definitely, I love playing baseball and when looking for a college I wanted a place where I could play everyday and be a four-year starter because that is what would make the experience the most enjoyable for me.
 
Were there any times you played through an injury?
 
Marr: Yes, last year against Drury I got hit in the elbow and it swelled up pretty good limiting movement. I put a compression sleeve on the elbow and bought an Evoshield elbow guard and was good to go.
 
You had a very successful freshman season batting .308 scoring 26 runs and collecting 25 RBI. What did you take away from you're freshman year?
 
Marr: First of all, the toll a college season takes on the body and mentally as compared to seasons before. So I had to learn how to recover and take care of myself in between games. Second, the speed of the game picks up a lot in college and playing at this new level and speed has made the game more fun. It has created even more of a passion for me.
 
After Rockhurst's down 2014 year, the Hawks are 11-6 overall and have a 4-2 GLVC record. What are the expectations as we continue forward through the 2015 campaign?
 
Marr: The team goals for this year are to finish above .500 and return to the conference tournament, and then hopefully make some noise up in Indianapolis. We need to build off the momentum from this start and carry it over into GLVC play as each conference game means so much and all teams are real competitive.
 
You're currently hitting .500 on the year and had one of Rockhurst best series performances ever going 12-for-17 with six RBI. What do you attribute your success to?
 
Marr: A lot of hard work and a little bit of luck. This summer I got to face the best pitchers I have ever faced on an every night basis in the Prospect League. This really helped me as a hitter, technique-wise, and from a mental approach. Additionally, I spent a lot of time in the cage this winter and received some little tips that made the difference.
 
What was the most important thing to you throughout the offseason and summer?
 
Marr: This summer taught me how to be mentally ready night in and night out and to elevate my game to the next level. One of the most important aspects is to continue to slow the game down as the pace speeds up. Playing in Hannibal really provided a minor league experience playing at least six days a week. It was a physical and mental grind at times, but I learned from it and it will help me during the weekend series in the GLVC. This offseason helped me transition from a freshman to an experienced starter and use my experiences from last year and the summer.
 
So far this season, you've made countless "Top Gem" plays at shortstop. Any secrets you can share?
 
Marr: Be nice to your glove and it'll be nice to you, ha ha. But by scouting the opponents before the game, I have a general idea of tendencies and have a good idea of where the ball might go. Plus, it is the shortstop's job to make a "Top Gem" so I have to make the play for the team.
 
Who was your sports idol growing up?
 
Marr: Derek Jeter. It is going to be rough not being able to watch him this year. But, how he held himself and went about the game is exactly the approach I take when I play.
 
What is your favorite baseball memory?
 
Marr: It's probably a tie. One game I stole home to tie the game in the seventh or eighth inning. Then I hit a walk off in the tenth. The other is pitching three innings to close out a sectional playoff victory. Both were memorable, but I am hoping we do something here at the Rock that tops both. 
 
What are your goals for college baseball and beyond?
 
Marr: For college I came here with full belief and still believe that we will win a GLVC conference title and be very competitive in a regional. A trip to Cary, N.C., would be an amazing way to top it all off. I still dream about playing in the Major Leagues and I am definitely working for that and becoming the best player I can be.