Behind the Bruin: Pete Daniel Strives for a Stellar Sophomore Season

Photo Courtesy of Pete Daniel

Pete Daniel grew up a competitor playing whichever sport his dad signed him and his twin brother up for. 

He enjoyed the variety until one took over as his No. 1: baseball. 

“I enjoyed playing the game, how much fun I had being able to meet friends and teammates, and I enjoyed being out on that field more than I enjoyed being on the soccer field or the football field or basketball court,” said Daniel.  

The dynamic and pace of the diamond is what brings him joy.  

“If I’m standing out on shortstop, I can be in my own thoughts and take it easy. But if I’m in the batter’s box or if the ball hits me, it’s go time,” said Daniel.  

As a Nashville native, Daniel never expected to find himself in the Belmont dugout, but the summer after his junior year of high school they gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse.  

“I was in contact with a bunch of coaches, but they were the first to offer and it just felt right,” he said.  

During Daniel’s freshman season his older teammates guided him and helped him succeed on the D1 Level.  

“I was blessed last year to have so many older guys take me under their wing … so just having that knowledge and them kind of guiding me through practices and it being ok to fail was really huge, especially on the mental side,” he said.  

With 25 new players on the team, Daniel is hoping to flip his role and become a mentor on and off the field.  

“I’ve definitely got some weight on my shoulders to show them the right way to do things and how I was taught last year … if they ask a question being able to give them the right answer and just let them know that we’ve got tons of practices, just because you have a bad day doesn’t mean the end of the world,” said Daniel. 

Last spring, Daniel quickly realized that college baseball was a whole different ballgame than what he was used to.  

“It was humbling for sure, and it took a lot of adjustment and time, just ABs, getting in the box over and over,” Daniels said, “It’s a game of failure and you have to learn from your mistakes, and it definitely took a while.”  

The biggest difference?  

“Everybody’s fast,” he said. 

But having people you can count on is a game changer.  

Daniel’s twin brother, who also plays college baseball, has been that person for Daniel since the beginning.  

Daniel with his twin brother Ben. Photo Courtesy of Pete Daniel

“Growing up and always having him right by me, if it was a new team, we were on the new team together like having a confidence booster almost, just knowing that whatever happens I’ve got him there. Being able to play shortstop and him pitch and being able to have his back was huge … it’s awesome and it’s something I for sure miss,” he said.  

Playing intense games of ping pong with his brother in high school was also why Daniel came to Belmont confident that he was the best ping pong player on the team.  

“But Joe’s got some game. We’ve had an ongoing series since last year, anytime we can play, and we keep it up on the whiteboard in the locker room and I think he’s up a touchdown on me right now … I have faith that I can come back, but it’s going to take some work,” said Daniel. 

After his freshman season wrapped up, Daniel spent the summer in New York with the Amsterdam Mohawks.  

“Playing in that atmosphere in Amsterdam was really cool. There was like 2,000 fans at each game, playing with a lot of good players from a bunch of other big-time schools,” he said, “Getting to meet new guys and experience up north was awesome.”  

The first time Daniel saw a walk off was from Brody Heaton when he came to Belmont, but with the Mohawks he got to experience that feeling firsthand.  

“I hit a walk off sac fly this summer and that was pretty exciting, probably my favorite moment,” said Daniel. “I had a big smile on my face, teammates running up to you and taking my jersey off, and then you get the water cooler, it’s pretty awesome. It’s an experience I can’t forget for sure.”  

The benefit of playing in a summer league is learning from new coaches and bringing that with you to the next season. 

For Daniel the focus of the summer was how to approach an at bat.  

“Coach Griff and Coach Dean had some altering views on how you would hit the first pitch of an AB, but it’s great to have both sides and both perspectives,” Daniel said.  

Coming off an impressive freshman season and summer ball, Daniel is most excited to come back to Belmont with more experience.  

“Getting back into it, having that experience, having those ABs, and seeing what college baseball really looks like is the big thing for me. And now it’s just being confident and comfortable,” Daniel said.  

Off season workouts are a time to work on your weaknesses and continue to build on your strengths.  

Stealing bases and getting stronger are the goals on Daniel’s mind going into his sophomore season.  

“If you can get your exit velocity up and are constantly hitting the ball harder, it makes it harder for the defense. You get more doubles, more home runs, do more damage, score more runs. That’s the name of the game,” said Daniel.  

After an interview like this, Daniel goes back to work in the weight room and on the field.  

“Look out for the Bruins, I think we’ve got a really good squad this year, and I’m excited for the spring,” Daniel said.  

-

This article was written by Bree Fabbie