Baseball "Meet the Newcomers": Mack Larson
11/4/2020 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
St. Cloud State Baseball welcomes 16 newcomers to the roster in the 2021 season. Our next edition of "Meet the Newcomers" features senior righthanded pitcher Mack Larson of Tacoma, Washington.
A 2016 graduate of Wilson High School in Tacoma, WA, Larson played two seasons of junior-college baseball in the NWAC with Everett College. He appeared in 12 games out of the bullpen as a reliever during his freshman season, where he went 1-2 while saving a pair of games and covering 29.1 innings. Larson held opponents to a .222 average and struck out 25. He again made 12 appearances in 2018, this time starting six games and going 6-3 with a 2.30 ERA while recording two saves. The sophomore worked 58.2 innings and struck out 55, walking just 15 and limiting foes to a paltry .679 OPS. Larson joined the North Sound Emeralds of the Pacific International League during his sophomore summer, going 2-2 with a 4.79 ERA across five appearances and four starts. Opponents managed a meager .238 average against while striking out 17 times against him. Larson spent his junior season with NAIA program Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. He helped lead the Scots to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, where they went 2-2 to tie the program record for their deepest run in the Tournament. He started 15 games and chartered an 8-3 record with two complete games and one shutout. Larson fired 79.1 innings to the tune of a 3.94 FIP, striking out 77 and walking just 19 batters. He went on a five-start winning streak between February 9 and March 7, capping it off by delivering a 7.0-inning complete-game shutout on March 7 against Williams Baptist, allowing only two baserunners on a walk and a single while fanning 10 to earn American Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week. Larson earned Lyon's lone win in the 2019 American Midwest Conference Tournament against Park College on May 2, again punching out 10 while cruising through 6.0 innings of five-hit, one-walk baseball and allowing just two earned.
Huskies Athletics: Why did you choose St. Cloud State University?
Mack Larson:Â I heard about St Cloud State through Jake Bradley. We had played at Everett CC together, and when I was looking for a school after going back there, he recommended I look into St. Cloud. Coach Gaines and Coach Dolan reached out and I thought that this would be a place where I could compete and help the team win!
HA: When did you decide you wanted to play collegiate baseball?
ML:Â I knew when I was very young I wanted to play college baseball. My dad played college baseball, and even had a stint with the Mariners after going undrafted. He was always an example of hard work, and when baseball ran in my family I knew it was something I wanted to do at a high level.Â
HA: You've had a very unique baseball journey, beginning with two stellar seasons at Everett College in the NWAC. What were some of your favorite experiences playing at the junior college level?
ML: My favorite experiences from the Junior college level would have to be the guys that are there. It's never glamorous, and things are always on the fly there, but that's the only way it can be because it keeps you on your toes. In terms of a specific moment from Everett; my freshman year I came in relief at the NWAC tournament and gave up a two run homerun to blow our lead. I thought I had let everyone down, I felt so small. We ended up coming back and beating TCC in 15 innings for the longest game in NWAC tournament history. That game just showed me that the guys there always have your back, and will fight for you.
HA: Following your sophomore season at Everett, you played with the North Sound Emeralds of the Pacific International League. What was that experience like?
ML: That experience was really fun, there were a lot of good baseball minds on that team, so going through the summer with them was a good time.
HA: You spent your junior season at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas, where you helped lead the Scots to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round by tossing 79.1 innings and going 8-3 with 77 strikeouts and just 19 walks. What aspects of your game do you feel developed the most while at Lyon?
ML: The biggest thing that developed for me at Lyon was my process. I think my year there really made me think about what I needed to do to be successful and beat hitters, as well as stay mentally prepared for my outing. Finding that routine allowed me to pitch well.
HA: How much of a culture shock was your transition from northwestern Washington to northern Arkansas, and how do you think it prepared you to make the move to central Minnesota?
ML: There was definitely a difference of culture in Arkansas compared to Washington, and now in Minnesota as well. I normally just go with the flow, and try to take who I am with me wherever I go. The guys here were very welcoming and made that adjustment easy.Â
HA: You've pitched in plenty of big games throughout your playing career, including earning the win with an incredible 6.0 innings during the American Midwest Conference Tournament in 2019, striking out 10 and allowing just two earned on five hits. Coming to a program at SCSU that has a long-standing reputation of making deep NSIC and NCAA Tournament runs, how much did the ability to compete for a championship with the Huskies factor into your decision?
ML: That was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to SCSU. I knew that St Cloud has been really close the last couple years to doing something really special, so coming here and trying to be a spark on the field or a catalyst in the weight room is all I've been trying to do.Â
HA: Who is an important person in your life that has helped you reach the collegiate level?
ML: My parents have been very important in helping me get to the collegiate level. They allowed me to train with great people, and put me in positons to work hard and better myself to get to this stage.
HA: What are some athletic goals you hope to achieve while at St. Cloud State?
ML: I just want to help SCSU go farther in the NSIC and NCAA tournament than we have before. Whatever my role is on the team, I'll embrace it and work as hard as I can to make us succeed.
HA: What career field are you interested in?
ML: I am interested in staying involved with baseball, whether that be coaching or some sort of instruction. But, if that doesn't end up happening I think selling real estate could be interesting!
Hit-and-Runs
Favorite baseball team: Seattle Mariners
Favorite Halloween candy: TwixÂ
Go-to karaoke song: Carry on My Wayward Son
Favorite movie/TV character: Kenny Powers
Ranch or ketchup?: MixedÂ
Preferred playing surface: Dirt/Grass
Preferred statement haircut: MulletÂ
Go-to late night meal: Ground Turkey and Cheese quesadillaÂ
Would you survive a zombie apocalypse?: I think I would, I'm pretty resourcefulÂ
Glove you grew up with: Wilson A2000 DP15
If you were stranded on the island from Castaway, which two teammates would you want to have with you?: K-Rod (Kyle Rodriguez)Â and Adam WinkelsÂ
If Doc Swendra was an actual doctor, what kind of doctor would he be?: He would have to be a PsychologistÂ
A 2016 graduate of Wilson High School in Tacoma, WA, Larson played two seasons of junior-college baseball in the NWAC with Everett College. He appeared in 12 games out of the bullpen as a reliever during his freshman season, where he went 1-2 while saving a pair of games and covering 29.1 innings. Larson held opponents to a .222 average and struck out 25. He again made 12 appearances in 2018, this time starting six games and going 6-3 with a 2.30 ERA while recording two saves. The sophomore worked 58.2 innings and struck out 55, walking just 15 and limiting foes to a paltry .679 OPS. Larson joined the North Sound Emeralds of the Pacific International League during his sophomore summer, going 2-2 with a 4.79 ERA across five appearances and four starts. Opponents managed a meager .238 average against while striking out 17 times against him. Larson spent his junior season with NAIA program Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. He helped lead the Scots to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, where they went 2-2 to tie the program record for their deepest run in the Tournament. He started 15 games and chartered an 8-3 record with two complete games and one shutout. Larson fired 79.1 innings to the tune of a 3.94 FIP, striking out 77 and walking just 19 batters. He went on a five-start winning streak between February 9 and March 7, capping it off by delivering a 7.0-inning complete-game shutout on March 7 against Williams Baptist, allowing only two baserunners on a walk and a single while fanning 10 to earn American Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week. Larson earned Lyon's lone win in the 2019 American Midwest Conference Tournament against Park College on May 2, again punching out 10 while cruising through 6.0 innings of five-hit, one-walk baseball and allowing just two earned.
Huskies Athletics: Why did you choose St. Cloud State University?
Mack Larson:Â I heard about St Cloud State through Jake Bradley. We had played at Everett CC together, and when I was looking for a school after going back there, he recommended I look into St. Cloud. Coach Gaines and Coach Dolan reached out and I thought that this would be a place where I could compete and help the team win!
HA: When did you decide you wanted to play collegiate baseball?
ML:Â I knew when I was very young I wanted to play college baseball. My dad played college baseball, and even had a stint with the Mariners after going undrafted. He was always an example of hard work, and when baseball ran in my family I knew it was something I wanted to do at a high level.Â
HA: You've had a very unique baseball journey, beginning with two stellar seasons at Everett College in the NWAC. What were some of your favorite experiences playing at the junior college level?
ML: My favorite experiences from the Junior college level would have to be the guys that are there. It's never glamorous, and things are always on the fly there, but that's the only way it can be because it keeps you on your toes. In terms of a specific moment from Everett; my freshman year I came in relief at the NWAC tournament and gave up a two run homerun to blow our lead. I thought I had let everyone down, I felt so small. We ended up coming back and beating TCC in 15 innings for the longest game in NWAC tournament history. That game just showed me that the guys there always have your back, and will fight for you.
HA: Following your sophomore season at Everett, you played with the North Sound Emeralds of the Pacific International League. What was that experience like?
ML: That experience was really fun, there were a lot of good baseball minds on that team, so going through the summer with them was a good time.
HA: You spent your junior season at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas, where you helped lead the Scots to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round by tossing 79.1 innings and going 8-3 with 77 strikeouts and just 19 walks. What aspects of your game do you feel developed the most while at Lyon?
ML: The biggest thing that developed for me at Lyon was my process. I think my year there really made me think about what I needed to do to be successful and beat hitters, as well as stay mentally prepared for my outing. Finding that routine allowed me to pitch well.
HA: How much of a culture shock was your transition from northwestern Washington to northern Arkansas, and how do you think it prepared you to make the move to central Minnesota?
ML: There was definitely a difference of culture in Arkansas compared to Washington, and now in Minnesota as well. I normally just go with the flow, and try to take who I am with me wherever I go. The guys here were very welcoming and made that adjustment easy.Â
HA: You've pitched in plenty of big games throughout your playing career, including earning the win with an incredible 6.0 innings during the American Midwest Conference Tournament in 2019, striking out 10 and allowing just two earned on five hits. Coming to a program at SCSU that has a long-standing reputation of making deep NSIC and NCAA Tournament runs, how much did the ability to compete for a championship with the Huskies factor into your decision?
ML: That was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to SCSU. I knew that St Cloud has been really close the last couple years to doing something really special, so coming here and trying to be a spark on the field or a catalyst in the weight room is all I've been trying to do.Â
HA: Who is an important person in your life that has helped you reach the collegiate level?
ML: My parents have been very important in helping me get to the collegiate level. They allowed me to train with great people, and put me in positons to work hard and better myself to get to this stage.
HA: What are some athletic goals you hope to achieve while at St. Cloud State?
ML: I just want to help SCSU go farther in the NSIC and NCAA tournament than we have before. Whatever my role is on the team, I'll embrace it and work as hard as I can to make us succeed.
HA: What career field are you interested in?
ML: I am interested in staying involved with baseball, whether that be coaching or some sort of instruction. But, if that doesn't end up happening I think selling real estate could be interesting!
Hit-and-Runs
Favorite baseball team: Seattle Mariners
Favorite Halloween candy: TwixÂ
Go-to karaoke song: Carry on My Wayward Son
Favorite movie/TV character: Kenny Powers
Ranch or ketchup?: MixedÂ
Preferred playing surface: Dirt/Grass
Preferred statement haircut: MulletÂ
Go-to late night meal: Ground Turkey and Cheese quesadillaÂ
Would you survive a zombie apocalypse?: I think I would, I'm pretty resourcefulÂ
Glove you grew up with: Wilson A2000 DP15
If you were stranded on the island from Castaway, which two teammates would you want to have with you?: K-Rod (Kyle Rodriguez)Â and Adam WinkelsÂ
If Doc Swendra was an actual doctor, what kind of doctor would he be?: He would have to be a PsychologistÂ
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