Athlete of the Week

Sudha Reddy, BK '00 Baseball pitcher Hometown: Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Major: Psychology Pre-game superstition: Listening to Indian music by Mahendra Kapoor Favorite Quote: "And ya know it cuz ya show it"—The Party Favorite college baseball team: New York Tech Favorite saying: "Hook it up"

Reddy began playing baseball at the age of five and somewhere along the way he found himself pitching. As Reddy explained, "In baseball your body type matches certain positions, and I was best suited as a pitcher." Reddy played soccer, basketball, and baseball growing up, but when he started high school, he chose to play baseball because he saw it as his best shot at having a long-lasting athletic career.

Reddy's career as a pitcher at Yale has been impressive even since his first game freshman year. His performance in a game against Davidson during the team's spring break trip of 1997 remains a highlight for Reddy because "it was the game that gave me the confidence to be a collegiate pitcher." As a sophomore, he was second on the Bulldogs in mound appearances and strikeouts. This year, Reddy has a 4.10 ERA, the lowest of Yale's starting pitchers, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3 to 1. Pitcher Matt McCarthy, TD '02, who hurled the other win against Harvard on Sat., Apr. 15, said that Reddy is more than just a good pitcher. "He is a smart pitcher, he goes out there with a game plan," McCarthy said.

Reddy, who grew up in California and is returning to the West Coast after graduation, did not choose to come to New Haven for its lovely weather. He came to Yale because of its combination of an experienced coach and strong baseball program, and high-quality academics. Reddy is well aware of the demands that athletes at Yale face when it comes to balancing athletics and schoolwork. "There are ways around some classes, but it is difficult to find shortcuts in science classes," he said. Upon graduation, Reddy is looking forward to returning to the warmth of California.

Once back, he plans to work for an Internet start-up company headed by a former Yale baseball player.

Despite all of his successes, Reddy is the consummate team player. His first game against Davidson as a freshman pushed the team back on track that season after a long losing streak. Similarly, Reddy hopes that his performance against Harvard last weekend will help Yale finish off this season on a high note.

Photo by Julia Tiernan.

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