WMA Interview: Forest Hills Eastern pitcher Zak Wilkerson

Think you could hit a ZW heater?

Jumping out to an 8-0 record early in the 2010 baseball season, Forest Hills Eastern is establishing themselves as one of the premier contenders in West Michigan.  They’ve been doing it through a series of close games, and by rattling off multiple runs in a single inning when they need it most.

They’re a heck of a team to watch.

Hawks’ starting pitcher Zak Wilkerson caught up with WMA after a victory over Hastings on Tuesday, and was gracious enough to stay and chat for a while. We discussed baseball, fishing, and determined who’s the best looking kid in the area.

Check out the full transcript (edited slightly for readability) after the jump:

WMA: So thanks again for making the time, Zak. Winning your first eight games, what are you guys doing that accounts for your hot start?

ZW: Well we’re hitting the ball really well, first off, and the pitching has been good all around too.  We’ve just been finding ways to win in close games.

WMA: It seems like you guys have an ability to rally that is really special. Six run inning, seven run inning, and eight run inning, all when you needed them most. How are you guys able to consistently perform under pressure?

ZW: Short answer is that we have gotten big hits at the right time. But really we just know what we need to do in certain situations, everyday in practice we use our batting practice to work on every possible situation the game can give us. So when we get up in the game I think we’re confident. We know what we’re supposed to do because we’ve done it before. Coach Curtis really stresses just doing your job.

WMA: So it’s a work-like atmosphere?

ZW: Exactly.  But were also a very loose team at the same time. We have a lot of fun. I feel like that helps with the pressure, and then we all want to see our teammates around us succeed, so that helps too.

WMA: Who do you think has really stepped up so far this season?

ZW: I feel like all of the pitchers have stepped up. I think we can throw any of our top four pitchers and beat anyone on any given day. Whether it’s myself, Christian Westdorp, Corey Sessions or Matt McCready, I feel like all of us can compete with anyone.  Cory and Matt are both sophomores, by the way.  They have been a pleasant surprise.

WMA: What does that do for you, having such talented sophomores in the rotation?

ZW: You know, I think that having the sophmores on the team forces the seniors to step up in the leadership category. When I was a sophomore on varsity, I paid attention to everything the senior pitchers were doing, just trying to learn everything I could.  I assume this year the sophomores are looking at me the same way, so I try to set a good example because in the long run, it will help out the program.  Also, Jesse Greenert has stepped up and played well behind the plate. He started the year crushing the ball and hasn’t really let up since. Max Rennaker and Taylor Pawlanta have played good middle infield and have both hit well. Kyle Mulligan plays a good centerfield, and is an outstanding lead off hitter.

WMA: The contributions are coming from all angles.  So at 8-0, how do you feel you stack up to the rest of the teams in

ZW: I feel like we can compete with anybody. There are a lot of good teams and talent in the area, and I feel we stack up with the best.

WMA: What’s the goal this year for you guys?  And what will it take for you to get there?

ZW: State championship. No question. But to get there we’re going to have to take the season one game at a time. We can’t overlook any team we play, especially in our talented conference. Other than that we just need to keep having fun with it.

WMA: It’s been working so far.  Alright, now time for the real questions.  What’s something about you that nobody knows, or very few people know?

ZW: (laughs) That my goal in life is to become a pro- angler. I fish like four or five days a week in the summer.  It was less last summer because of all the baseball, but I try to go as much as possible. I’m living the dream, man.  I love it.

WMA: Now it’s time for your Celebrity Tweet.  You get 140-characters to say whatever you want, and I’ll publish it on WestMIAllstar.com.  Hit me with your best stuff.

ZW: I have to give a shout out to Alex Lakatos and Matt Coulsen for being the best looking kids I know.

WMA: And he hits it out of the park!  Thanks again for your time, Zak.  Good luck this season, and I’m sure we’ll be talking soon.  Keep up the good work!

ZW: Thanks for doing this.

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