May 11, 2010
Senior Brayden Ashdown’s quickness and strong fundamentals make him one of the team’s top defensive outfielders. He has also established himself as an offensive presence, recording 12 RBI’s on 22 hits thus far this season. Off the field, Ashdown carries a 3.506 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) with plans to attend medical school in the future. Recently, he sat down with UND.com to tell us a bit about himself.
1. Who has been your inspiration?
My parents. They grew up in various small towns in Wyoming, started our family very young and worked extremely hard, both earning advanced degrees. They have always been a picture of hard work for me.
2. Do you have a specific routine when you approach the plate? If so, can you describe it?
I like to cross into the batters box and find my back foot before my name is announced, makes me feel like I’m ahead of the game.
3. If you could meet and hit against anyone, who would it be? Why?
Tim Lincecum (pitcher for the San Francisco Giants) — just a dominant pitcher who looks like a good time. Great hair.
4. What has been the key to your collegiate success? How have you been able to successfully balance your double major with baseball and a social life?
I found out early on that there is never enough time and it is always a matter making decisions of what will take precedent. Being successful is placing those values in the right places at the right times as often as possible. I’ve won some and lost some.
5. What career do you intend to pursue when your baseball career is complete?
“Pursue” being loosely defined, I intend on applying to medical school in a year or two.
6. As an English major, who is the author you most prefer? Whose works do you dread reading?
I have a pretty eclectic taste, but when a teammate asked me for a book representative of my reading I gave him a Kurt Vonnegut, Ernest Hemingway and Milan Kundera. I can’t say anything good about Middle English or anything that came before it.
7. What is the best thing about playing baseball for Notre Dame? The worst?
The best thing is undoubtedly the unconditional support. This year we went on a trip to Greenville, Miss., and had a high school assembly in our honor.
8. If you couldn’t play baseball, which sport would you most like to pursue? Why?
I grew up playing soccer and every time I see our team ripping shots on goal I get the itch. I can’t imagine a more overwhelming sporting experience than playing professional soccer in Europe or competing in the World Cup.
9. What is your favorite pre-game meal? What is the best post-game food?
Pre-game: Peanut Butter and Jelly. Post: Used to be Don Pablo’s fajitas, but now I’d say I’m a boneless wings man.
10. What is your favorite place on campus?
Bond Hall. All the leather and dark wood makes me feel academic.
11. What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Listen well but think for yourself.
12. If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring baseball star, what would it be?
Think about what you like most about the game and work to make that happen as much as possible. It has to be fun or the 5-6 hours a day at the park will wear you down.
13. When did you realize you had a passion for baseball?
When I asked my dad to take me to the field before school.
14. Who is your favorite major league team?
Being from Arizona and playing with and living with A.J. Pollock, I think I have to say the Diamondbacks, but I have a soft spot for the Twins and the `95 Seattle Mariners.
15. Where is your favorite place that you have visited? Was the visit related to baseball?
Positano, Italy. One of very few family summer trips that was not baseball related.
16. If someone could describe you in one word, what would you hope it would be?
Multitudinous.
17. What is the last song that you listened to?
“Fight Test” by The Flaming Lips
18. What do you miss most about being home in Tucson?
In March in South Bend, the sun. Otherwise my family and my cats.
19. What is the best class you have taken at Notre Dame?
Professor Joyelle McSweeney’s freshman lit class. It made me want to be an English major. Oh and somebody decided to let me build a guitar in the woodshop this semester for credit, also a pretty awesome class.
20. What do you most hope to take away from your Notre Dame experience?
That’s it. Just the experience. Hopefully a few of the friends I’ve made along the way so we can share it.
— ND —