LBSU Athlete of the Week: Ino Patron (4/4/2011)

This week's Long Beach State Athlete of the Week award was nabbed by freshman infielder Ino Patron. Patron was an integral part of a potent Dirtbag offense that exploded for 20 runs last Friday night. Coupled with a win on Saturday, the Dirtbags won their conference opening series against Pacific by outscoring the Tigers 30-7.

On the weekend Patron hit .667 and had an OBP of .786

 

Black and Gold Insider: How does it feel to be named Long Beach State Athlete of the Week?

Ino Patron: It is an honor to be named Long Beach State Athlete of the Week. A lot of guys on our team had a great week so I feel lucky to get this award.

How do you explain the 20 run outburst you guys had at Pacific? Were you surprised at all? How do you build on a highly successful day like that?

Ino Patron: We had a good game plan going into that game and Coach Gilbert prepared us really well for their pitchers. I think you will always be surprised when you put up 20 runs on a team, but I felt like we were due to have an offensive outburst because we were in tight ball games all year and never really got the bats going yet. You build on a successful day like that by continuing to work hard and preparing the right way and not worrying about results by staying in the present and focusing on winning every pitch.

What did you guys learn about your team playing the very tough non-conference schedule, and how do you think that experience will help you in conference play?

Ino Patron: We learned that we can compete with any team in the country and that we are not afraid what the other team’s jersey says. We go out there and play the game of baseball. This non-conference play will help us in conference play because we know how to win in tight games and we stick together throughout everything that happens in a game.

What's the atmosphere like around the team in the clubhouse and dugout?

Ino Patron: The atmosphere around the team and in the clubhouse and dugout is pretty loose. We all like to joke around and have fun. I think we have taken on the personalities of the coaches in a way and they keep us loving the game and getting down to business. When it comes to game time and practice we have to go to work and get it done.

What does it mean to be a Dirtbag?

Ino Patron: It is a privilege to be called a Dirtbag. It means to play the game hard and the right way. To bleed black and yellow and by the end of the game have some dirt on your jersey.