The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Profile: Senior Charlie Lenhard
May 08 | Baseball
The following is a transcript of senior outfielder Charlie
Lenhard's discussion with GoZips.com. The four-year
letterwinner and team co-captain has been a mainstay in the Akron
outfield since stepping on to the field as a freshman in 2004. His
seven RBIs at Bowling Green on April 22 were the most recorded by
an Akron player since 1999. With his standout career nearing its
conclusion, the Columbus, Ohio-native talks about one of the
biggest college rivalries in the area, what it's like to really
take one for the team and who he'd invite to dinner if he had the
chance.
Kent State comes to town this weekend for a thee-game
series starting Friday at 3 p.m. at Lee Jackson Field. As someone
who's been through this four years, what does the Akron-Kent State
rivalry mean to you?
"The rivalry means a lot to me. It may not mean so much for the
younger guys yet, but definitely for the older guys. It's different
than playing any other weekend out here. Over the years, the
rivalry grows as you geta to know some of the guys from the other
team and you play summer ball with or against some of them.
Bragging rights are definitely on the line so it means a lot to
both teams."
Unlike most years, you're going to play Kent State for the
second time in the same year this weekend, having already defeated
the Flashes at Canal Park last month in the inaugural Diamond
Classic for Kids. Talk about the experience of playing a rival in
such an important community event like the Diamond Classic where
all the money raised was given to the Akron Children's
Hospital.
"The game was great and going to the hospital to visit the kids and
give back to the community was important. Getting out there on a
Wednesday afternoon, playing against Kent State, who we normally
only play on the weekends felt a little different but it was a lot
of fun. And there was a little extra boost of energy behind
everyone to go out there and get that first win against Kent State
and give them a little preview of what hopefully is to come this
weekend."
You were chosen by your teammates to be one of two team captains,
with junior Scott Gunn being the other. Talk about that
experience.
"My whole career I've been more of a lead-by-example type of guy
rather than a rah-rah type of guy. But this year, being a captain I
had to speak out a couple of times. Most of the time it was about
something good, but sometimes it was about something not so good.
But I don't feel like I've changed who I am because I was named a
captain. I still came out and did what I needed to do as a leader
of this team."
You had a career day at Bowling Green last month. Not only did you lead the charge as the
team rallied from deficits of 7-0 and 14-5, you hit a three-run
homer in the eighth inning to pull the team to within four runs, at
15-11, and then hit another three-run homer in the ninth inning to
tie the game at 15-all. In all, you drove in seven runs that day,
the highest single-game total at Akron since 1999. What was going
through your head that game?
"It was something I had never done before at any level. It was the
best day of my career. It was exciting. Coach (Pat) Bangtson kept
telling guys to take a pitch until the tying run comes up, take a
pitch until the tying run comes up... And when I came up, he said
'When you see that fastball, hit it over the fence.' Sure enough,
the pitcher threw me a fastball and I got it over the fence.
Unfortunately we didn't win, but it was a great game. The guys were
really into it and we kept on fighting the whole time."
If you could have dinner with any five people, who would
they be?
"I would have to say (N.Y. Yankees' third baseman) Alex Rodriguez,
because I love watching him play. I'd also like to have one last
dinner with my Dad's father, who passed away when I was in high
school. I saw him a lot when I was younger but I didn't get to see
him as I got older as much because they lived in Michigan."
"I also wouldn't mind sitting down to dinner and chatting it up
with Bill Gates and seeing what he's got going because I'm really
into technology. And on a serious note, I really like what
(comedian/actor) Ben Stiller does so he might be a good one. In
fact, Ben Stiller and his father, Jerry Stiller, at the same time
at dinner would be an interesting combination."
What is your favorite video game?
"Well, I only have one so it would have to be MLB The Show for the
Playstation 2."
What was the last movie you saw?
"Whatever we watched on the bus on the last road trip. I think it
was 'Weekend at Bernie's.'"
Who was the person you most admired when you were growing
up?
"I'd have to say my Dad. I've always liked what he has done and
want to pursue the same career. He's in sales and I'll graduate
with marketing management degree and I'm working on an internship
in Texas for property management this summer."
Speaking of your Dad, I don't know if there's been a more
dedicated parent when it comes to attending road games this season.
Whether it was in Bradenton, Fla., Memphis, Tenn., or Buffalo,
N.Y., he seemed to always be there. It must be nice knowing that no
matter where you're playing, there's always a friendly face in the
crowd cheering you on.
"Yeah, that means a lot to me – knowing that he's done that
every year. It was easier for him when I was in high school and
summer ball. It's nice for me knowing that he's around everyday and
takes the time out of his schedule to come down and watch me play.
But you know, I think a lot of the guys on the team appreciate it
too. They always ask me, 'Is Rick coming today?' and I say he's
already here and it's two hours before the game! I think a lot of
guys enjoy the fact that he's up there everyday giving us
support."
You've been hit by a pitch 17 times this spring – six shy of
the school record. Why all the tough love from opposing
pitchers?
"I've been told by a couple of our catchers that I crowd the plate.
I don't think that's true but that kind of stuff just happens in
baseball. For the most part, I don't think any of them were
intentional. At one point, I was hit 16 times over the first 24
games or something like that but have been hit just once since
then. But you never know, it could start back up again
Wednesday."
Senior Day is coming up this weekend. How does it feel knowing that
your college career is about to come to a close?
"It hasn't really phased me yet that (Senior Day) is coming this
Sunday. But I'm going to miss it a lot. I'm going to miss the guys
and I'm going to miss coming out here every day, but there's
nothing that I can do about it. I was blessed to have the
opportunity to come in here my freshman year and stay healthy for
four years and not have to take a redshirt or a medical redshirt
along the way. I would enjoy coming back for another year, but I
guess my time's just about run out."
Any advice for the younger guys?
"Cherish it because it goes fast. It seems like just a year ago I
was getting a hold of one roommate, who doesn't play here anymore,
and Scott Gunn trying to figure out what everyone was
bringing to the dorm room. Now I'm moving out. You definitely have
to cherish it because it comes and goes so quickly."
What is the best part about playing college
baseball?
"Knowing that every day you can go out there and do what you love.
That and hanging out with guys you've grown real close to. It's
also fun to see the new faces come in each year and try to get
their feet wet. I'm going to miss this (freshman) class because I
think they've got a lot to show in the future and hopefully with
what we've done this year – not only with just wins and losses
because I think we've grown a lot as a program – I really
think they can turn things around here in the near future."
Lenhard and the Zips will host Duquesne Wednesday afternoon at
Lee Jackson Field at 3 p.m. before opening a three-game series
against Kent State this weekend. Three of the next four Akron games
can be heard live on Sports Radio 1350 AM.
