University of Georgia Athletics
Fall Baseball Bulldog Spotlight: Bryan Benzor
September 23, 2011 | Baseball
Sept. 23, 2011
In 2011, right-hander Bryan Benzor made a name for himself as a reliable set-up man for closer Tyler Maloof. In his first season in Athens, the 6-1, 195-pound native of Loganville, Ga., solidified the bullpen down the stretch and helped the Bulldogs reach the NCAA Regional final in Corvallis, Ore.
Benzor began his collegiate career at Georgia Perimeter in 2010 and then transferred to Georgia last season. He made 17 relief appearances for the Bulldogs in 2011, tallying a 2-0 mark with a 3.94 ERA. He earned a win over ninth-ranked Ga. Tech at Turner Field in front of a crowd of 18,156 and tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in a dramatic 14-11 comeback against Auburn, a game in which Georgia trailed by eight runs at one point. Also, he pitched 3.2 scoreless innings in two appearances at the 2011 SEC Tournament against nationally ranked South Carolina and Florida. The Bulldogs' season hung in the balance in those SEC Tournament contests.
Evan Beever of Georgiadogs.com caught up with Benzor at Foley Field for this week's Fall Baseball Bulldog Spotlight.
How are your preparations going for the upcoming season?
"We're working hard, getting bigger and stronger in the weight room. I just feel like our mentality is in knowing what we are capable of and we're just ready to get out there and prove to everybody that we're good enough."
What did you take away from last season?
"Well last year was my first year at Georgia, and what I found out is that the game is a lot faster at this level but once you get used to it, it's a lot of fun. I've never been a part of a team that is this close in my entire time playing baseball. If we stick together as a team a lot of good things can happen."
What is your most important goal for this season?
"I just want to get better from last season. I feel like I had a pretty solid season last year, and I just want to get better and help this team out in any way that I can."
Have you noticed any specific player really making significant improvements from last season?
"Not necessarily, but I feel like everyone in general is getting better from last year and we are very team-oriented. When one guy gets better the whole team does."
How has Johnathan Taylor's recovery helped with the team's morale and the overall cohesiveness of the squad?
"We all feel like as J.T. gets better our whole team gets stronger and better because he is a huge part of this team. He pretty much rallied us and gave us some inspiration to go forward last year, and he's going to continue to do that this year."
What was your most memorable moment of last season?
"My most memorable moment from last season, by far, was beating Florida at the SEC Tournament to make it to the regionals. It was unbelievable because I came in to pitch the seventh and eighth innings and had a great time. Just watching our defense get those last three outs was amazing. Looking back, from where we came from to start the season to where we got at the end was just a great feeling for all of us."
Who has had the greatest impact on your life?
"That's a tough question. I'd have to say J.T. (Johnathan Taylor) honestly. I just met him last year, and I feel like we have become pretty good friends and just seeing him make it through all his obstacles just made not only me, but the whole team feel like no matter if we were doing bad last year that we can always work harder like J.T. did. That actually ended up happening as we got progressively better as the season went on."
If you could play any other sport besides baseball, what would it be?
"I'd have to say football just because it's such an intense game and everyone gets excited to play football. That would definitely be a sport I would have loved to play if it wasn't for baseball. I'm not that fast, but I have a good arm so I would probably try out for quarterback, or maybe play some special teams and knock some heads off."
If you could play a different position besides pitcher, what would it be?
"I love being a pitcher, it's just the intensity and you have that spot on the field where you get to control the game, I love having that feeling and having the ball in my hand. If I was faster, I would love to play some outfield so I could throw some people out at the plate."