University of Georgia Athletics
Around The Diamond: Catching Up with Zach Cone
October 06, 2010 | Baseball
Oct. 6, 2010
As fall baseball practice continues for Georgia, outfielder Zach Cone said he is looking to improve on his stellar sophomore campaign. The 6-2, 205 pound native of Stone Mountain aims to be one of the Bulldog leaders in 2011. Last season, Cone captured the "Triple Crown" for the Bulldogs, batting .363 with 10 home runs and 53 RBI. Additionally, Cone was excellent defensively, posting a .991 fielding percentage with an SEC-leading nine outfield assists. During the past summer, Cone earned an invitation to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Trials in North Carolina and spent time playing in the Cape Cod League for the Cotuit (Mass.) Kettleers who won their 14thchampionship. Cone is in his third year at UGA and a top prospect for the 2011 draft. He was a third round selection of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim following his senior year at Parkview High School.
What has been your favorite memory playing at UGA?
The catch that I had my freshman year was pretty big {leaping grab at the right-center wall of a potential three-run home run by Clemson's Brad Miller in a 6-5 Bulldog win at Foley Field}. I hit for the cycle last year {against Duke in Waco, Texas}, which was pretty cool. There's a bunch of memories that stick out to me but those are probably the biggest.
How have classes been this semester?
I'm majoring in consumer economics. Classes have been going well so far and I've gotten good grades on my tests up to this point. I've got a few tests coming up, but other than that, class has been going well.
What other sport would you have wanted to play in college if you hadn't played baseball?
I probably would have played golf. I would have loved to play golf just because it's such a chill sport. I'm terrible at it, but I just like it because it's so relaxed.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I don't get much of that, so when I do get some down time, I like to just chill. I like to sleep too (jokingly).
You played a lot of baseball over the summer, competing at the USA Trials and playing in the Cape Cod League. What were those experiences like?
It was my second year in the Cape and it was good. I didn't play as much as I wanted to but it was a learning experience. I tried a bunch of new stuff with my swing and tried out a bunch of other things. Then, the USA Trials were fun. I met a bunch of new guys, who were great players. It didn't work out but it was still a really cool experience and I had a lot of fun.
What was it like to have other SEC players that you are used to competing against on your team?
It was nice to get to know some of the other guys. It's going to make it more fun during the SEC season because you've got new friends playing out on the field.
Was it hard for you to eventually decide to come to UGA after your mom and dad went to Georgia Tech and your brother is on the Tech football team?
It was tough at first, but they were cool with it. I still watch Tech football and watch my brother play down there so it's been fun. I still keep up with them even though I'm here.
What was it like having a brother like Kevin who was also an athlete growing up?
We were always competing. We were always trying to see who was the strongest and who was the fastest. We had a good time and had a lot of fun playing against each other.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
One goal is to definitely make it further than we did last season. My freshman year, we went to the SEC Tournament and played in a Regional, but I'd really like to go further than that and try to make it to Omaha and the College World Series this year.
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