Feb. 20, 2006

Yale's opener against Valparaiso is only two weeks away. Senior captain Ashley Linnenbank, who will help anchor the Bulldogs' pitching staff, recently answered some questions from the Yale Sports Publicity Office about the upcoming season.

SPO: How has practice been going so far?

AL: It's been going well. It's tough to be stuck inside [Coxe Cage]. Fielding off of a track is so different from the dirt, so working on defense can be difficult. So far, we've been more focused on hitting and pitching, and I think we look pretty good. At this point, I'm just excited to start playing against competition. I think we'll be really strong.

SPO: What do you think will be the strength of this year's team?

AL: It's hard to say because I don't think we'll be particularly weak in any area. We've got a deeper pitching staff this year with two strong freshmen. We'll have another solid defensive team. And I've really been encouraged by our hitting as well. Honestly, year after year I think our biggest strength is the team chemistry, and that is there this year just as much as ever.

SPO: What are your personal goals for the 2006 season?

AL: I had a very odd season last year. I performed really well against some tough teams and then did very poorly against the weaker teams. So I think my battles this year are mostly mental. I need to approach every team and every batter as a threat and use that to improve my game.

SPO: What's been your most memorable moment over your first three years in the program?

AL: That's tough because there are so many memories. Interestingly enough, the games have been great, but I think it's the stuff off the field that I'll never forget. The funny things like going for a pop-up and getting tackled by [first baseman] Chelsea [Kanyer] in Florida my freshman year, experiencing the delirium of 8 a.m. breakfasts in Commons with the team and witnessing first hand the food poisoning half the team got from the food on our way back from Cornell last year. I'm taking it all with me, good and bad.

SPO: You work for the Yale Athletics marketing department playing the music at the home basketball games. What is your favorite song to play?

AL: I guess I have a few. `It's the End of the World As We Know It' by R.E.M. is fun. The band usually gets into that one. And I've made it a point to play Lauryn Hill's `Doo Wop (That Thing)' at each and every Youth Day for the children. Lately, `Sugar We're Going Down' by Fall Out Boy gets the crowd going, so that's been my recent favorite.

SPO: What are your plans following graduation in May?

AL: I want to work in graphic design, but I didn't major in Art, so I'm going back to school for that. Starting in early July, I'll be attending The Creative Circus in Atlanta. I'd really love to go into book design or maybe fuse my love for music with that of art and design for bands and such. So two more years of school and then I'll be prepared to conquer the world.

Report filed by Tim Bennett, Yale Sports Publicity