Tristan Facer is pulling off a rare pair of doubles this year. First, he’s both a senior and a newcomer to the baseball program as a transfer from Evansville. Second, when he’s not on the mound as Eastern’s No. 1 starting pitcher he’s in the everyday lineup as a first baseman. The 6-foot-4 lefty hurler recently sat down with Staff Reporter Mike Mears to discuss how he handles his dual roles, how he would pitch to himself and running the wrong direction in tee-ball.

Why transfer from Evansville to Eastern?

Well, to be honest, the coach and I there had our disagreements. It was just a better fit for me baseball-wise (at Eastern). There wasn’t really anything more to it for me than that.

What do you like better about the Eastern coaching staff?

They definitely are very open to a lot of new things. They knew that I’m coming in as a senior with a lot of experience. So they left a lot of decisions and a lot of choices up to me. They haven’t really pushed me too much to do a certain thing their way. They kind of let me do my own thing.

What’s it like being a newcomer as a senior?

I’ve been to three schools in three years, so I’m pretty used to the whole newcomer thing. The big thing is that the younger kids do look up to you. With me being at Evansville, we had a pretty good team last year, so a lot of people have asked me questions about it or turned to me for leadership just because I’ve been there and already done the Division I thing as opposed to a freshman coming out of high school. The only really big thing is that I have to get to know the guys again. Everyone knows I have the talent to play at this level and that I’ve proved myself already, so it’s basically knowing the guys and getting their respect.

How do you balance being a pitcher and a first baseman?

To be honest, it’s a little bit tough to juggle both of those. You know, as a pitcher you’re expected to do all of your drill work – all of the running and what-not. As a hitter, you’ve got to focus all of your time on hitting and fielding. It’s a juggling act. You have to stay after practice and do your pitching work. You have to jump in when you can. You can’t sit back and be passive about it. You have to take control and use your time wisely, or you won’t be good at either one.

If you could only pitch or hit, which would you choose?

Hitting, for sure. I like hitting a lot better than pitching, but I do enjoy pitching. But hitting, I get to be out there every day.

How does the mental approach to the game change when you’re pitching?

Days I’m pitching, I usually don’t hit. Some days I have hit for myself, but usually I’m not hitting. It’s pretty different because usually I’m out there taking grounders, taking batting practice. So to be honest, it’s relaxing. I don’t have to worry about hitting, taking infield. I get to relax until 45 minutes before game time. It lets me focus my thoughts a little better. It’s a lot easier when you know you just have to go throw.

What is your best outing so far this year?

When we were in Florida I started two games. The first one I went eight innings and gave up one earned run. The second start, I went seven innings and gave up four runs. Both of those, I got wins, but I did have probably my best strikeout stuff on Friday (against Morehead State). I hadn’t struck out that many (eight) until then, so hopefully that will stick with me.

What’s the difference for you when you have good strikeout stuff?

It basically comes down to my breaking balls. If I can consistently throw the curveball and changeup for strikes, that’s going to allow me to strike out more batters. My fastball’s always been my go-to, but after a few times through the order they get to time you up, and it’s not as effective if you can’t throw those breaking balls for strikes.

How do you see your role on the pitching staff?

As I’ve always been a two-way player, I’ve usually come out of the bullpen. I’ve never really had a main role on the pitching staff. But this year, the coaches came up to me and said I needed to be the No. 1 on this team. I’ve worked pretty hard and tried to gain the respect of the other guys on the staff, let them know I’m going to work as hard as they do, if not harder, to be the No. 1. I really want the ball in my hands in that first game (of a weekend series), so that I can prove it to the team that I should be out there and get a win that first day.

Is it hard as a two-way player to gain the respect of the other pitchers?

It is tough because they don’t always see you working. That’s the main thing. They may have left practice, and you may still be there, or you may work on your own outside of practice. You do as much work as they do. The guys this year are really good about it. They know what I’ve got. By no means am I the best pitcher on the staff, but it just happens that I get to be that Friday night guy, the go-to guy.

How would Tristan Facer, the pitcher, go after Tristan Facer, the hitter?

I’d like to say I’d intentionally walk myself because I’d be so scared. To be honest, (I’d) probably stay away from me with a lot of outside fastballs. If I got ahead in the count, I’d probably throw a fastball up and in. That’s my huge weakness.

How do you interact with your teammates from Champaign?

We’re kind of far apart in age, but there’s still some healthy trash-talking going on. My senior year we beat both Centennial (High School) and Central (High School), so I’m still pretty proud of that. I rub that in every now and then. I’m sure Urbana this year will kick both Central and Centennial’s (butts).

Who did you want to beat more in high school, Centennial or Central?

Central. When I was growing up, I played on a Champaign-Urbana traveling team, and a lot of the kids from Central were on that team. Throughout high school, I knew most of them, and it always felt a little bit better to beat those guys.

Did you really run the wrong way in your first tee-ball game?

It was always my mom and dad telling me about it, but I can totally see that. I was probably just so excited to hit the ball. The one thing I do remember, and I don’t know why I remember this, but I remember always playing shortstop, and wherever the ball was hit I would just run after it. It wouldn’t matter where it was. I just remember seeing the whole team flock after the ball. Whoever got to it first won.

Do you have pro baseball aspirations?

I would love to. Out of junior college I got talked to a little bit. They wanted to sign me mainly as a pitcher. Like I said, I enjoy hitting, so I told them don’t even bother. I’m going to go on and play my next two years of college ball. I would love to get drafted. Anyone who plays at the Division I level has some sort of dream to get drafted.

You wouldn’t turn down a pitching opportunity, would you?

Sign me up. People ask, “Why do you hit?” They see my pitching. I’m a lefty that throws hard and what-not, and they ask why I don’t just do that. I just love to hit. I was raised as a hitter, so I’m just going with hitting until I can’t go any farther.

If not for baseball, what are your post-graduation goals?

I’m a psychology major, and I’m going to get a minor in business. I probably have two options. My dad is a lawyer, so I’ve been looking at law school. Or real estate. I know a couple of people in the real estate business. I have some interest in both of those. Who knows? It’s always been about baseball, so it’s always kind of been like, “What am I going to do after baseball?”

Tristan Facer is a senior transfer from the University of Evansville in his first year at Eastern. Facer is one of Eastern’s top pitchers this season and is also a psychology major. (Molly Clutter/The Daily Eastern News)

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