Pilot in the Spotlight: Turner Gill

Position: Outfield

Hometown: Madras, Oregon

Grade: Redshirt Senior

 

Why did you choose to play for UP?

I’m from central Oregon originally, and it came down to a few schools, but this was the only one in the Northwest. My dad always said that it’s good to stay in-state, plus I get the opportunity to see my parents and have them come to the games. It wouldn’t be the same if I were somewhere else.

 

How old were you when you first started playing baseball?

I started when I could pick up a bat. As soon as I could, I was playing.

 

What has been your favorite part of the season so far?

Bonding with all the guys, and being able to travel and playing against good teams.

 

What do  you like to do outside of baseball?

I’m really into wildlife, so I am interested in bears, wolves and big cats. So I watch all the videos or read books or watch documentaries. Whenever I get the chance, I travel to Yellowstone and places where you can find those animals.

If you could play any other sport, what would you play?

I’ve always been a big soccer fan. I played baseball, basketball and soccer all throughout high school. I’m a big fan of all sports.

 

What’s your  favorite MLB team?

The Mariners. Growing up in the Northwest, you should be a Mariners fan. That being said, my best friend’s older brother is the centerfield for the Yankees now, and he was the centerfield for the Red Sox. So, I definitely follow those teams as well.

 

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

You try to do the same routine, especially if something’s been working out for you. One thing in particular is our coach gave us M&M’s during one of the games. When I was first at bat, I struck out, then I went and got the M&M’s and hit a homerun.

 

What’s your favorite part of the game?

There’s a lot of stuff to love. As a team, coming together and winning is great. Competing well is fun. Individually, it’s fun to do things to help the team.

 

What do you hope to accomplish the rest of the season?

I try to make more short-term goals. Compete every game, one pitch at a time. Things work themselves out.

 

What has been your favorite place to travel for games?

My freshman year we went to Hawaii, which is obviously an amazing experience and it’s always easy to remember places you had a lot of successes as a team or as an individual. This year we went to San Diego and it didn’t go so well for the team or me, so I really wanted to get out of San Diego. We’ve been to Mississippi State and UCLA. Playing those teams who have done a lot on a national scale is really fun.

 

What’s your favorite thing to do in Portland?

I go to the zoo quite a bit. I’ve been there quite a few times over the five years I’ve been here. I like to get out of the hustle and bustle of all the people.

Molly Vincent is a sports writer for The Beacon. She can be reached at vincentm17@up.edu or on Twitter @mollyvincent19