Get To Know: Gophers Sr RHP Cody Campbell (And Gophers Notes)

Last weekend, the 2017 Gophers schedule got started with a series at UC-Irvine. On Friday night, the Minnesota Gophers will begin a three-game series at home, in February, in US Bank Stadium. For the first time since the Metrodome days, the Gophers have been able to play some home games before April. When the weather cooperates, they’ll play their games at the new and improved Siebert Field near the University of MInnesota campus.

Our first Q&A is with Gophers senior right-handed pitcher Cody Campbell. He came to the Gophers from Naperville, Illinois, a city in the western suburbs of Chicago. While he has unfortunately missed a lot of time with injuries, he has had a big impact in the Twin Cities, donating his time to a variety of programs. He’s also known to have a little bit of fun in the dugout. Let’s get to know him a little bit more.

Remember when the Twins played a spring training game in 2015 against the Gophers? Campbell pitched in that game.

https://twitter.com/SethTweets/status/573286538567536640

Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Naperville, Illinois, who was your favorite team to follow, and who were some of your favorite ballplayers?

Cody Campbell (CC): I don't really follow sports, but if I had to pick a favorite team it would be the Detroit Tigers. I lived right outside of Detroit during K-2nd grade and fell in love with the TIgers. Some of my favorite players are Roy Halladay and Justin Verlander. They are some of the greats and I strived to be like them, even at one point switching my windup and leg kick to look like Roy Halladay's.

SS: What were some of the highlights of your high school career?

CC: Winning a State football championship my sophomore year as a starting offensive linemen, weighing only 180 pounds was my most memorable highlight. Playing four years of varsity baseball and three years of varsity football really helped mold me as a player by watching the older guys and how they prepared day in and day out.

SS: What was it about the University of Minnesota that made you decide to leave home and play for the Gophers?

CC: Having the opportunity to get coached by a legendary coaching staff was the key reason. Another reason was because I am a psychology major and Minnesota has a great psychology program.

SS: Have you played summer ball through your college years?

CC: No, I haven't been healthy enough to. I usually take the summers to get surgery on something and recover to get ready for fall.

SS: What have been some of the highlights of your time with the Gophers?

CC: Year in and year out we have a great group of guys that always find a way to have fun. I also think watching how the team has grown and developed throughout my time has been fun. After missing the Big Ten Tournament my sophomore year, the whole locker room atmosphere had changed and we started getting our priorities straight.

SS: What are your goals for the 2017 season?

CC: Stay healthy is my main goal, I haven't had a healthy season yet so I figured my last year should be my healthiest year. Other goals are know my role and excel at it, be a presence in the dugout and locker room, keep the atmosphere that we had last year going throughout this year.

SS: What is your major, and what are your career goals going forward? (How does baseball fit into that equation?)

CC: I'm a psychology major and am looking for a career where I can manage and develop people. Baseball fits into the equation because it has taught me to be adaptable and has motivated me to keep getting better because no matter how good you are at your job there is always going to be someone better. Having that mentality will push me to excel in a career outside of baseball

Thank you very much to senior right-handed pitcher Cody Campbell for taking time to respond to our questions. Best wishes on a healthy and successful senior season.

GOPHER NOTES

The Gophers opened their 2017 season by traveling to play UC-Irvine. There was a three-way split. Weather won on Friday night washhing out the first contest. On Saturday, the Gophers won 9-8. On Sunday afternoon, the Gophers fell 7-5.

• Luke Pettersen led the offense. In the first game, he was 4-4 with a sacrifice bunt. On Sunday, he went 4-5. Going 8-9 on the first weekend is a good way to start the season. Pettersen is a junior second baseman. You will recall that his brother, AJ Pettersen, played for the Gophers and then spent four seasons in the Twins minor league system. AJ is about to begin his third season as the head coach of the Chanhassen baseball program.
  
• Junior third baseman Micah Coffey batted cleanup in both games. He went 5-10 with two doubles and a triple.
  
• The lone Gophers home run last weekend came off of the bat of sophomore DH Eduardo Estrada. The 2015 Litchfield graduate was the top prospect in the state of Minnesota following his senior season.
  
• Friday night starter (who started Saturday because of the rain out) Lucas Gilbreath is a junior from Colorado. He struggled in his season debut. The left-hander gave up five earned runs in just three innings. Last year, he gave up five earned runs in 33 innings (struck out 46). He is touted as one to watch at draft time despite the fact that last Saturday was just his second career start.
  
• Two freshmen made their college debuts in the Sunday afternoon game. Brett Schulze, from Maple Grove, came on in relief and worked four innings. He gave up one run on three hits and three walks, and he struck out three. Later in the game, catcher Eli Wilson entered the game. He walked in his only plate appearance. Wilson is from Seattle and is the son of former Gophers All-American and Mariners great Dan Wilson.
  

On Friday night, the Gophers will play Seattle University. The weekend series marks their first games in US Bank Stadium.

• Twins catching prospect Brian Olson is a graduate of Seattle University.
  
• The teams will play on Friday at 6:30, Saturday at 6:00 and Sunday afternoon at 1:00. Admission to US Bank Stadium is $11 for adults, and $8 for children. Students with a valid student ID can get one free ticket.
  
• The Gophers next 13 games will be at US Bank Stadium.
  
• Looking ahead, the Gophers will take on North Dakota State University next Tuesday (Feb 28) as well.
  
• Also, on Saturday, Concordia College (Moorhead) will play a doubleheader against Jamestown University at US Bank Stadium. You could spend a full day in the new stadium watching some quality college baseball.
  

Feel free to discuss the Q&A and chat about the Gophers in the comments below.