MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama baseball shortstop Drew LaBounty recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss the upcoming season, as well as recap his success from last year. LaBounty was a preseason all-SBC selection this season, and was first-team all-SBC at  shortstopin 2016. He led the SBC in walks (59), ranked second in on-base percentage (.444), sacrifice flies (7) and total plate appearances (286), fourth in stolen bases (14), seventh in runs scored (47) and tied for eighth in RBI (43). LaBounty's 59 walks ranked sixth nationally, and he also ranked in the top 10 nationally in base on balls per game (0.94).

What did you gain by being raised by a baseball coach, former Pensacola Catholic head coach Richard LaBounty, then eventually playing for him?
"Just growing up around the game was huge for me, learning how to play the game the right way and how to prepare and compete the right way. All those things combined kind of made me into the player that I am right now. And we had a great high school career which led me here, and I am thankful to be here."

What contributed to your individual success last season?
"I think just experience; coming into my freshman year, I don't know if I was prepared mentally or physically. After that first year, I was able to get in the weight room. Our strength coaches did a great job, and obviously Coach Calvi and his staff do a great job. I think experience helped me a lot, just knowing what pitchers were trying to do and knowing my strengths and what I am good at and using those to my advantage."

What are some of your strengths as a player?
"I don't think I do anything great, I just think I am a well-rounded player. I can run and hit with a little bit of power, I can field it and have a decent arm. I don't think I do anything spectacular, I just try to stay within myself and do what I do best."

What do you have to do in order for the team to be successful?
"Offensively, I just have to play my game which is getting on base, whether Coach Calvi has me hitting leadoff or anywhere else in the order. It doesn't bother me; you just have to try to get on base as much as possible. That's the name of the game – get on base and score runs. For our team to be successful, I have to get on base and put myself in a position for my teammates to drive me in and do what they do. Defensively, I just have to make sure that the defense is in the right position. As a shortstop, I feel like I am kind of like the captain on the infield."

Have you always played shortstop?
"I have played shortstop my entire life until I got here. I played a little bit of second base, but other than that I have been at shortstop my whole life. I am very comfortable there, and I know what it takes to play that position. It is fun to play; it's challenging and I enjoy it."

What are some areas that you have improved in since you came to USA?
"Just my all-around game offensively, whether that be running the bases, hitting for average and hitting with runners in scoring position. The most important thing for me was to hit with runners in scoring positon, which I made a big stride in last year, and I think that comes with experience and just knowing what pitchers are trying to do and be able to take that and use your strengths against them."

How have you improved mentally?
"I have made huge strides. I think the more you play in this league, the more respect you have for your opponents. The mental side of it is a huge part of the game that a lot of players don't understand. For me, it has kind of taken my game to the next level. I am able to understand what is happening in the game and am able to process that quicker."

What did you gain from your redshirt season?
"It allowed me to see the game from a different point of view. When you are on the field you are thinking in the moment, but when you are sitting on the sidelines you are able to see the big picture. That has allowed me to understand the broader game and see it through a different lens. It has helped me to be able to understand in the moment better, and process that quicker."

Who were some of your favorite shortstops to watch when you were growing up?
"I loved watching Omar Vizquel and Jose Reyes in his prime. I love Jose and his speed and Omar and his hands. I was never really that fast, but I always tried to emulate my defensive game after Omar Vizquel who is one of the greatest."

What are your expectations for this season?
"We have a great group of guys who like each other, respect each other and want to play for each other. We just need to play hard and do the right thing on and off the field. If those things happen then we should be successful as a team, because we have the talent. And if the talent is there then we will play hard and go as far as we can. We obviously want to get into the postseason, and once you get there it is whoever is hot. Hopefully we will be the hottest."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with USAJaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at Twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Dugout Club - the baseball-specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. Members enjoy all games from inside the Stadium Club with climate control, private restrooms, private concessions and access to listen to the radio broadcast. All donations to the Dugout Club go directly to support the South Alabama baseball program. For more information on how you can join visit JaguarAthleticFund.com.