Cougar One-on-One

Previous One-on-Ones
Stacie Meisner (8/27/2007)
Edwin Enriquez
(10/31/2007)
Bre Perkes
11/12/2007
Jessie McNabb
12/20/2007
Kelsey Garner
March 2008
Carly Glisan
March 2008

With Rich Miller, Parker, Colorado

Rich Miller is a sophomore catcher from Parker, Colo., who went to high school in Chicago. Miller played one year at a Division II JUCO helping them to the national tournament. This season for the Cougars, Miller has been a huge weapon in the batting line-up as well as behind the plate.

Q: How is this team going right know?
A: We are struggling a little bit right now. We played well against Trinidad and got some big wins. Then the last couple of series that we played in, we struggled a little bit by not pitching too good and not hitting that great. But, on the up slide, we have three series here at home with all conference games and we have a chance to get back into the race. Right now we are sitting fifth place. It is a big slide from two weeks ago when we were sitting in second, so we are looking to make up some ground and get back in the race and make the playoffs.

Q: This team does have a way that they stay in a lot of games?
A: Fortunately we have a very strong offense. Our pitching has started to throw a little bit better. We got some nice starts from some guys like Jackson Salazar, Kyler Edgehouse, Todd Stachura. But, our offense is most definitely the most powerful point of this team. We can score a lot of runs. If our pitching is good enough to manage the game, our offense should be able to get some wins for us.

Q: This is your first year here, so what is it like?
A: To be honest, it is more then what I expected. The program is great and I like coach Jones a lot. I like our field. I like my teammates. I like the school a lot. When I first got here, I thought this is a  small school, small town and there wouldn’t be very much to do. But, to be honest with you, it built relationships. It has built as all closer to each other. We are close to all the faculty members and our coaches are real close. I like it a lot. The school and town is real close. The town follows sports around here a lot. We are almost really treated like a Division I school. People know me. I walked into a store the other day and some gal said, “hey, I saw you in the paper the other day. Don’t you play for the Cougars.” I said, ‘Holy cow, you are just a store clerk. It is amazing and awesome.’

Q: Where were you at last year?
A: I was in Denver, Colo., I took a couple of years off. I went Elgin Community College my freshman year. That was in Chicago. Did real well there and went to the World Series. I was the starting catcher there and then I took a couple of  years off because I didn’t know what I wanted to do with school and baseball. I talked to Coach Jones over the summer and he said come out and we will give you a shot to play. He said if you have the tools, you definitely can catch most of the games for us.

Q: Are you excited that you decided to come back to college?
A: I was excited. Most people don’t get excited about school after taking a couple years off. Most people go to school and then when they decide they are done, they are done. I was fortunate enough to get the drive back and want to play again. This is a good program and a good school and glad to be in it.

Q: Where are you from?
A: Originally from Chicago, Ill., Now I live in Denver. But

Q: Going from Chicago to Denver to here, that is a big adjustment.?
A: I went from large to medium to small.

Q: You have a lot of offers to go on after this?
A: A few. Right know the best one for me is Mesa State. They have pretty much been talking to me on the phone and they want me to go there and catch for them my junior and senior year.

Q: Mesa is in Grand Junction and that is the site of the Junior College World Series?
A: You know what, I was on a World Series my freshman year and to be honest with you, we have a better offense then my team did to go to the World Series. But, as far as pulling it together on the mound and defensively, it all has to work at the same time. That is what we did real well my freshman year, we worked together all the time. We have more talent on this team and we can do things. I think we really can go far, especially if we get a playoff spot and everybody is geared up for the playoffs and no more sluffing off. If our backs are against the wall, I think we will play our best.

Q: What did you do in high school?
A: I did football and baseball. I went to college on a baseball scholarship.

Q: How did Jones find you?
A: That is a funny story. A recruit here worked with me in Denver at a training facility and he said he was going to Western Nebraska Community College as an outfielder. He came out here and talked to coach and I said good luck to you, hopefully you will do well. This was three weeks before school even started. He then said, ‘Rich, you interested in trying out at this school here in Scottsbluff.’ I said, “I might give it a shot.’ I tried out and gave it a shot and coach said you are a talented guy and we would love to have you. That is it. I had no plans to come back. Now, I am real excited to be back. My walking song is Back in Black by AC/DC. It reminds me every time that I am back. My ultimate goal is to get drafted.