JAKE MAGNER, north dakota fighting sioux

Last season was North Dakota's first year playing baseball at the DI level. Consequently the team's primary focus wasn't so much on winning as it was gaining experience and learning how to compete at the next echelon. However that philosophy is so 2009. With UND playing its inaugural season in the Great West Conference, a renewed a rivalry with North Dakota State and the returning a core of players who amassed impressive individual accomplishments, the Sioux won't be satisfied with being “just happy to be here” this year. They're aiming for a conference crown and respect from their rivals - a hearty ambition for a school in a state known more for snow, hockey and funny accents rather than baseball.

Already this year North Dakota has proved they are not some sort of northern novelty. In their opening series at Wichita State , the Sioux went toe-to-toe with the perennial power. Up until a late inning surge, UND played the Shockers tight in the opener and lost game two by a slim 5-2 margin.

A big reason why the Sioux can compete is junior first baseman Jake Magner. Magner shined in his first full season playing college ball, earning first team All-Independent honors after leading the North Dakota in nearly every offensive category. As a redshirt sophomore, he earned team MVP honors after ranking first on the club in batting average (.393), hits (66), home runs (10) and RBI (51). His prolific numbers also placed him first on the club in slugging percentage (.673), on-base percentage (.459) and total bases (113). Over the summer Magner earned a spot on the Coastal Plain American All-Star team while playing first base for the Edenton (N.C.) Steamers. He led the league with 12 home runs and his team in batting at .310.

Ping!Baseball recently caught up with the slugging first baseman and got his thoughts on the Sioux's sophomore season:

Ping!Baseball: You spent last summer playing for Edenton of the Coastal Plain League. How did the opportunity to play in the league come about?  

Magner: The opportunity to go play ball in Edenton came about in early May. I had been having a pretty successful 2009 season for the Sioux and I got a call from the Steamers asking to play for the summer. I knew it was a great opportunity to play in a great league, so I said yes.  

Ping!Baseball: Edenton's mascot is the Steamers. Did you have many steamed clams while you were in town? I can't image you'd find them on the menu too much in your neck of the woods.  

Magner: Yes our mascot is the Steamer, but I did not try a single clam throughout the summer. Seafood is huge there, I am just not a big fan of seafood. I was definitely not brave enough to try any clams.  

Ping!Baseball: What was it like living with a host family for the summer? I would be pretty anxious if I was either the player or the family entering the arrangement.

Magner: I was a little nervous for the whole host family arrangement. I was going to a completely new place to live with complete strangers for the summer. I soon found out that my host family was amazing, though. They did everything they could to make me feel at home. I enjoyed my time with them so much I will be staying with them again this summer.  

Ping!Baseball: I know your playing time was limited before last season, but how would you compare the level of competition from 2008 to 2009 when UND switched from DII to DI?  

Magner: I had a limited number of at bats at the DII level, but it was enough to really notice the difference. Pitchers don't make a whole lot of mistakes in DI. When you do get a pitch to hit, you really need to take advantage of it. It is difficult, but seeing quality pitching on a daily basis really improved my hitting and approach at the plate.

Ping!Baseball: Playing for the Sioux, there are a whole bunch of "at"'s on the baseball schedule. Aside from homework, how do you pass time on the road?  

Magner: As you might already know, Grand Forks doesn't have the greatest weather for baseball. We usually get our first home game in at mid/late April. This means a whole lot of time on the bus. When im not studying, I'm usually just watching a movie or listening to my ipod.  

Ping!Baseball: I know you're not a native North Dakotian , but you are playing in in the state and are from the upper midwest. Is North Dakota 's Roger Maris the single season homerun champ in your eyes?  

Magner: I'm from Minnesota and not too familiar with Roger Maris. In my eyes, Barry Bonds is the single season homerun champ. The season when he hit 73 was just ridiculous. Even if he was juicing at the time, you can't deny that it was statistically one of the best single seasons in history.  

Ping!Baseball: I was watching some video of the team from your fall ball Blue Moose classic. What's up with the ugly 70's looking hats?  

Magner: You can blame our coach Jeff Dodson for this. It's a tradition he brough here for fall ball. Apparently they are going to get uglier and uglier every year. The trucker hats from this fall are going to be hard to beat, though.

Ping!Baseball: What does 2010 have in store for North Dakota baseball?  

Magner: 2010 is going to be a great year for Sioux baseball. We have a tough early season schedule with teams like Wichita State , Nebraska , Mizzou, and Oral Roberts, but it will be good for us. We also open up the first season of Great West Conference play and will be making strides to bring home a conference championship.  

Ping!Baseball: A frequent favorite question of mine: What's your six word memoir? (see http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/ for examples)  

Magner: Work hard and never give up.