Baseball's Kevin Brown Speaks About The Florida Series

Feb. 2, 2001

Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – Can you talk about the annual series with the University of Florida since your freshman season in 1998?
Since I have been here the Florida series, along with the Florida State series, has been one of our top rivalry series. We go up to Gainesville every year and haven’t won since I have been at Miami. I think we are 0-8 since my freshman season. And they (Florida) come down to Miami every year and haven’t won during that same period either. It’s a real good rivalry. We play each other tough each and every game. We have had some leads up there, but they always have battled back and found a way to beat us. This year we are going to try and change that.

As one of the team’s top power hitters what will be your role this time around in Gainesville?
My job is to drive in runs. We have a lot of guys in front of me whose job is to get on base. When they get on base it is my job to drive them in. If we get a lead, it will be my job to help us hold that advantage. The last couple of years we have had the lead, but they have come back to beat us. We need to maintain our focus throughout the whole game.

Is there something about McKethan Stadium that alters the way that Miami plays?
Besides the fact that they will have 5,000 of their fans there for opening day screaming at us, I don’t think so. When the game starts we will have to block that out. As far as the field, there is no real disadvantage or advantage for us. It is a great stadium to play in.

Which Florida players have you played with in high school or summer ball?
I know one of their players from high school and I played with a couple of them over the last few years. Jason Dill and I played high school baseball against each other. We always talk about the rivalry we have against each other. It has been fun to play.

What is the reason that Florida and Miami each have an 0-10 mark against each other on its home field since 1996?
I can’t figure out why that is. My freshman year we went up there and Coach Morris was talking about how we hadn’t won up there. We then put up a seven run lead in one of the games. I thought for sure that we were going to win the game. But, they ended up coming back and beating us. Then it was the same thing down in Coral Gables. We put up a big lead, and were able to hold it. I don’t know if it’s been coincidence or in our heads, but this year we are going to play tough and try to end the streak.

Has there been one game against Florida that has stood out to you?
The game that has stood out was probably that game during my freshman season in 1998. We had a seven run lead going into the bottom of the sixth and ended up losing 14-10. We gave up 11 runs in the final three innings. It wasn’t my most favorite game, but definitely one that has stood in my memory. We were ahead by seven runs and thought we were dominating. They kept crawling back and eventually rallied to beat us.

Is it these rivalry series that made the decision to return for your senior season the right one?
Last year, I injured my shin and it forced me to miss the majority of games. That helped my decision to come back even more. The fact that I didn’t get drafted as high as I think I could was also part of it. The decision to return wasn’t a hard one to make. I am graduating in May and will have my degree. I wanted to come back and prove how good I can play. I am looking forward to a good senior season.

Did you do anything this past offseason to enhance your game?
I hit a lot back home over the summer. I had to wait till August before I could start running full steam. I worked out a lot and rode the bike. I also took a lot of ground balls and worked on my hitting. This summer gave me a lot of time to sit back and think about the 2000 season. I worked a lot on my mental approach to the game.

Of Miami’s freshman class who stands out to you?
From what I have seen in the fall and intra-squad games, Haas Pratt looks real good. He has really been hitting the ball well and our pitchers can’t seem to get him out. He is going to make a big contribution to this team down the road.