After reaching the title game of the West Region Tournament last season as a junior, Jenzen Torres is doing what he can to try to guide the Broncos back to the postseason in 2012. So far this season, Torres holds a .302 batting average, leads the team in home runs and has the second-highest RBI total with 32. Sports Information Intern Karina Lopez was able to catch up with Torres to talk baseball, playoff chases and the comedic nature of his teammates.  

Q: This season, you are one of only two four-year seniors on the baseball team. Did that make you take a bigger leadership role on the team?

Torres: Definitely. I feel that since I have an idea of how the coaches want the team culture to be, that it is my job as a senior to portray to the freshmen and newcomers what is expected from the players by the coaches.
 
Q: Catching can take a heavy toll on the body, specifically the knees. Can you talk about what you have done to stay healthy for the past four seasons?

Torres: Well to be honest, this season and last season were the first seasons in which I have been primarily catching. Also, I have been a pretty frequent visitor of the training room throughout my college career at Cal Poly Pomona. I owe a lot to the athletic training staff for helping me to be on the field as much as I have these past four years.
 
Q: Halfway through your collegiate career, you got a new coach. Can you talk about how that changed your outlook on the rest of your career at Cal Poly Pomona?

Torres: Head coach Randy Betten has done an absolutely magnificent job ever since he accepted the head coaching job.  Coach Betten brought a completely new culture to Cal Poly Pomona and has done an amazing job of putting Cal Poly Pomona baseball back on the map. Personally, since Coach Betten arrived at Cal Poly he has rejuvenated my love for the game of baseball because of his fire and passion for the game. 
 
Q: As the team's primary catcher, you must have a good relationship with the pitchers on staff this season. How does that relationship and understanding help during certain situations in a game?

Torres: By having a good relationship with the pitching staff it allows for pitching coach Bret Lachemann and I to formulate a plan that will allow for us as a team to be more efficient. What most people do not realize is that Coach Lachemann and I have a very good relationship, which I believe is a big key to success our pitchers have been having this season.
 
Q: From the previous videos your team has made, it clear you guys like to have fun. Who of all your teammates is the funniest?

Torres: To tell you the truth as a team, we are all a hilarious group of guys. To me there is not one person in particular because each person on our team has their own way of being a comedian, which is a trait that I love about my teammates.
 
Q: So far this season, you have five homeruns and have caught six runners trying to steal. Which one do you enjoy doing more and why?

Torres: Honestly for me doing well offensively is not as important as doing well behind the plate. It is extremely important for me to develop great relationships with the pitching staff and Coach Lachemann in order to maximize our success on the mound. The way I look at it, it's pretty hard for the other team to win if they are not scoring as many runs as we are.
 
Q: Who has helped shape you career as a baseball player and how have they done so?

Torres: My father has by far been the biggest influence in my baseball career throughout my life. Ever since I was born my father has instilled in me the love and passion for baseball. He has been teaching me how to play since I was four years old and has always supported me throughout my baseball career. 
 
Q: Last year was the first time in your career at Cal Poly Pomona that your team advanced to the postseason. Describe what that experience was like.

Torres: Last year was hands down the best baseball experience of my life. After all of the early morning workouts and conditioning that each and every one of us grinded through together as a team, making the playoffs and playing as well as we did was the most satisfying experience of my life. 
 
Q: When you're not playing baseball what do you enjoy doing?

Torres: I enjoy spending time with my teammates, working out, ping pong, listening to music, fungo golf and relaxing.
 
Q: What three words would you use to describe being a student-athlete at Cal Poly Pomona?

Torres: Dedication, hard work and fulfilling.