Brian Shaffer thrived last season after joining the starting rotation late in the year. He went 5-1 as a starter, including a dominant performance against Illinois to capture the Big Ten tournament, and snap the Illini’s 27-game winning streak. In that game Shaffer went seven innings, his longest outing of the season, allowing just one earned run and struck out seven.
ICYMI: @TerpsBaseball snapped Illinois’ 27-game win streak with a 2-1 win in the Big Ten Baseball Tournament. http://t.co/QGPD17JTHd
— Maryland On BTN (@MarylandOnBTN) May 22, 2015
This season, Brian will slot in nicely as the Sunday starter, as the Terps plan to go with three hard throwing righties (Shawaryn, Bloom, and Shaffer) in their weekend rotation.
Players on the team were kind enough to fill out a questionnaire, so here’s what Brian had to say about baseball and beyond…
My favorite baseball memory: Going to the local baseball field to pitch and hit with my dad growing up. Playing here at Maryland makes me appreciate those times even more.
Why he chose Maryland: Ever since I was a kid I wanted to play baseball for the University of Maryland and was doubted for thinking I could. When I first stepped on campus I had a satisfactory “I made it” feeling.
Favorite Maryland baseball memory: Other than winning the UCLA regional would be when I pitched against the University of Illinois at Target Field and ended their 27-game winning streak.
Goals for this season: Stay healthy and do everything I can to help this team win a National Championship.
Favorite teammate: I have so many favorites but if I had to choose one teammate, it would have to be Zach Jancarski. He’s one of my best friends and I’ve never met anyone that could make me laugh as much.
Walk-out song: Stranglehold by Ted Nugent.
Pump up playlist: I don’t really have a pump up playlist but anyone who knows me knows that I love country music.
Hobbies: hunt, fish, workout, and hangout by a bonfire with my friends. I also enjoy spending time with my girlfriend.
Favorite place to eat around campus: Chipotle (as generic as that is)
Guilty pleasure TV show: Impractical Jokers and Food Paradise. I love shows that involve food.
Dream job besides playing baseball: either a personal trainer or an outdoorsman with my own TV show.
