Freshman RHP Brian Dupra will start the home opener.

Countdown To First Pitch: In The Dugout With Brian Dupra

Feb. 12, 2008

The University of Notre Dame baseball team welcomes 19 newcomers to the diamond this season. The class was ranked as one of the top in the entire county — fourth by Baseball America and sixth by Collegiate Baseball. In the coming weeks, UND.com will feature each Irish newcomer leading up to the team’s Feb. 22 opener against Liberty. The third Notre Dame player in the spotlight is right-handed pitcher Brian Dupra.

Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
High School: Greece Athena H.S.
Position: Right-handed Pitcher
Height/Weight: 6-3/200
Bat/Throw: R/R

If you were to play another sport at Notre Dame, what would it be?
Hockey.

Best thing about the team:
Being around the players all the time.

What are three words that best describe coach Schrage?
Controlled, caml and knit-picky.

Which professional player would you compare yourself to?
John Smoltz? Honestly, no clue.

What is your favorite major league ballpark?
Turner Field.

What would be the title of your autobiography?
Life Isn’t Fair.

What is your favorite/most memorable sports moment?
Senior season in high school.

Are you a fan of the American League’s designated hitter or do you prefer the National League style?
National League.

Should college baseball switch to wooden bats?
Yes, yes and yes.

Who is the best hitter and pitcher in major league baseball?
Albert Pujols, Jake Peavy.

Favorite baseball team:
Atlanta Braves.

Favorite player:
John Smoltz.

Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
Pray on the back of the mound before each game and look to the sky as I cross the basepath.

Why did you choose Notre Dame?
Because it felt right when I came here for my visit.

— ND —