Bronco Talk

Sophomore Donald Brandt is helping steer a young Broncos baseball team (currently 17-13) toward early success. Brandt, who suffered severe arm problems last year, sat down with sports reporter Mike Kaufmann to discuss the current season and how his past experiences have helped make him the player he is today.

MK: What are your team's expectations for the 2006 season? Do you expect to qualify for regionals?

DB: This season has definitely been different, since we have a lot of young talent that hasn't experienced the college level. Our pitching staff only has three returners with any college innings. But so far, our freshmen have stepped up and done pretty well.

MK: You had to get Tommy John surgery last year; what was that like?

DB: March 22 made it exactly one year post-surgery, and it has been one crazy trip. In my freshman year, I came into a game to face the University of Washington, and, in the warm-up pitches, I felt a pop in my elbow and didn't know what it was. An MRI revealed a tear in my ulnar collateral ligament, meaning I had to get Tommy John surgery.

MK: Rehab must have been a lengthy process; how did you deal with sitting by and watching your team play?

DB: It became a constant part of my life, but I just kept my focus on returning to the mound so that I could help out my team.

MK: I noticed that even though you were one of the three returning pitchers from last year that you've only made three starts this year. Why is that?

DB: The Tommy John surgery is a long process, and people who get it done don't return to 100 percent for 15-18 months. Right now, it's only been about 12 months, so the coaching staff is really limiting my pitch count.

MK: What direction do you see the Santa Clara program going in?

DB: I really see us contending for a conference title this year. Our young guys have done well, and I believe that if we can play as a team, we will have a great year. Coach O'Brien is a great recruiter, and with our young talent getting a lot of experience, we are only going to get better.

MK: And what about your personal goals?

DB: Like most college baseball players, I'd like to be drafted someday, but, until then, I'm just focused on helping this team win. Like I said, I strongly believe that we will be one of the premier West Coast teams in the next couple of years.