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Q&A with the Knights by Casey Grogan.

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2009

2008

Kyle Kraus - Pitcher - # 9

University of Portland

Casey Grogan: What has your experience been like with the Knights thus far?
Kyle Kraus: "It's been a blast, we've had lots of wins and it's always fun winning. We are ranked and that's always good. We've got a bunch of good guys on the team, so it's been a good experience. Traveling is a little different for me, riding the bus a lot, but it's been fun."

CG: What is the most memorable ballpark that you have played in? Why?
KK: "I think it would have to be Fresno State's stadium (Pete Beiden Field), they were just coming off a national championship and they were ranked. I pitched pretty well against them."

CG: What is your favorite professional sports team? And who is your favorite professional athlete?
KK: "I'm a Northwest kid, so I'll have to go with the (Seattle) Mariners. I really like (Ken) Griffey (Jr.) of the Mariners, he really just kind of does his thing."

CG: What is your favorite thing about Portland?
KK: "I like that it is not too big. You don't get lost in everything, it's kind of a small town and it's good."

CG: What has been the most memorable moment of your baseball career?
KK: "Probably, when I was 12, we went to the Cal Ripken World Series. I think we got second in the U.S. and it was a lot of fun. We met Cal Ripken and Billy Ripken."

CG: Who is your greatest influence in baseball?
KK: "It is probably sappy, but it is my mom. She's always been there. She was an All-American at Linfield (volleyball) so she knows what it takes to be an athlete. She's always been there for me, when times are tough she's always been there to talk about it and talk about the games."