Photos Special To Bison Illustrated
The pitching staff is always a closely-knit group a baseball roster. Countless hours spent in the bullpen and dugout gives way to player’s knowing more than they should about their teammates. Given that fact, we put pitchers Parker Harm and Mitch O’Connor to the test to see if they know fellow pitcher Riley Johnson.
The Questions
1. What is his strikeout pitch?
Johnson: My strikeout pitch would be my changeup
Harm: Changeup +1
O’Connor: Changeup +1
2. On a scale of 1-5, how good of a hitter is he?
Johnson: A solid 3
Harm: 3 +1
O’Connor: Maybe 1, thinks he’s better than he really is
3. The best minor league team name is…
Johnson: The Akron RubberDucks
Harm: Durham Bulls
O’Connor: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
4. Seeds or gum?
Johnson: Seeds
Harm: Seeds +1
O’Connor: Gum
5. What is the best flavor of Gatorade?
Johnson: Cool Blue
Harm: Blue +1
O’Connor: Arctic blitz
6. Which player did he look up to growing up?
Johnson: Randy Johnson
Harm: Joe Mauer
O’Connor: Roy Halladay or Johan Santana?
7. MVP Baseball or MLB Slugfest?
Johnson: MVP Baseball
Harm: MVP Baseball +1
O’Connor: Easily Slugfest
FINAL SCORE: Parker Harm wins 5-1
May’s Pop Quiz With NDSU Student-Athletes
Each month, we give a handful of NDSU athletes a pop quiz to uncover who they are underneath the Bison uniform. Here are the answers from May’s featured athletes.
Marcus Walton: Men’s Track & Field
Walton has become a force in the high jump during his sophomore season in Fargo. He took the crown in the event in the first two indoor meets of the season. He was also the conference’s runner-up at the Summit League Indoor Championships in late February. The Springfield, Missouri, native has carried that success into the outdoor season too, winning the high jump at the IMG Academy Invitational in March.
What are you most looking forward to about the summer?
I’m looking forward to having time to rest after two long seasons and semesters.
What is the best genre of music for warm weather?
90’s rap/r&b is the best genre of music for any type of weather.
Best way to pass the time during the summer is…
Hangout with friends or play video games.
Are you more likely to get a tan or get a sunburn?
Definitely tan.
Which would you prefer: lake day or backyard barbecue?
Backyard cookout for sure.
Larkin Walter: Women’s Track & Field
Walter has proven valuable in the hurdles for NDSU track & field. During this indoor season, she competed in all but one meet. Of the meets she competed in, she finished in the top ten twice for the 60m hurdles. Also running on the team’s 4x400m relay team, Walter and the Bison finished fourth in that event at the Bison Team Cup on January 19.
What are you most looking forward to about the summer?
Being out on the lake with my friends, and of course my teammate Dakota Wood’s wedding.
What is the best genre of music for warm weather?
Country music always hits better when it’s nice out, but you can’t go wrong with any music when it gets over 70.
Best way to pass the time during the summer is…
Taking advantage of the weather and doing anything outdoors.
Are you more likely to get a tan or get a sunburn?
Tan and freckle
Which would you prefer: lake day or backyard barbecue?
Can’t beat a day on the lake tanning, wakeboarding and tubing.
Morgan Olson: Softball
The redshirt sophomore has seen limited time in her 2019 campaign but has pitched in just over three innings, pitching in a win against Abilene Christian on February 10. Olson was a 2018 NFCA Scholar Athlete for the Bison and was also on the Summit League’s Academic Honor Roll and Commissioner’s List last year.
What are you most looking forward to about the summer?
Spending time with family and friends
What is the best genre of music for warm weather?
Country
Best way to pass the time during the summer is…
Relaxing at the lake
Are you more likely to get a tan or get a sunburn?
Sunburn
Which would you prefer: lake day or backyard barbecue?
Lake day
Nate Deziel: Men’s Golf
The true freshman from East Grand Forks, Minnesota, seems to be a budding star for Steve Kennedy and Bison golf. Deziel shot a career-low 72 at the Grand Canyon Invitational on March 16. That round included him netting four birdies and helping the Bison to a tie for seventh place as a team. Deziel tied for sixth at this year’s Summit League Championships.
What are you most looking forward to about the summer?
Playing in golf tournaments
What is the best genre of music for warm weather?
Country
Best way to pass the time during the summer is…
Grinding on the golf course
Are you more likely to get a tan or get a sunburn?
Soaking up the rays and gettin’ a tan
Which would you prefer: lake day or backyard barbecue?
Lake day all day long
Jack Simonsen: Baseball
Used in a utility role for Tod Brown and the Bison, Simonsen plays catcher, first base and in the outfield. Only a sophomore, the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, product was an all-conference selection in high school. Simonsen has also proven effective at the plate for NDSU, hitting for a .280 average and driving in 28 runs in 143 at-bats.
What are you most looking forward to about the summer?
This summer I am most looking forward to warm weather, time with friends and getting to play baseball every day on my summer team.
What is the best genre of music for warm weather?
The best genre of music for warm weather is definitely country music.
Best way to pass the time during the summer is…
The best way to pass the time during the summer is just doing things outside, taking advantage of the warm weather.
Are you more likely to get a tan or get a sunburn?
I am definitely more likely to get a sunburn than a tan.
Which would you prefer: lake day or backyard barbecue?
I’d prefer a lake day over a backyard barbecue. Fishing, boating, tubing, swimming and hanging out with friends on the lake.