4.8 • 1K Ratings
🗓️ 2 June 2021
⏱️ 39 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Arkansas fans never expected to have their starting catcher behind the plate this season. Heading into the 2020 campaign, Casey Optiz was expected to go pro following the season. But after the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season abruptly, the standout catcher was given an option to return to the Hill for one final year. Opitz takes us inside his decision and what this unexpected season has meant to him.
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0:00.0 | You know there's a lot of emotions that were involved in and getting calls and |
0:04.0 | getting offers that I just didn't see suited how much I love playing here. |
0:10.0 | I think it was something that I needed more than what they were telling me to |
0:14.3 | bring me away from this place to leave Arkansas exactly and I didn't get that. Welcome into the Hog Pot. I'm Bo Mattingly and this episode is made possible by our friends at First Security Bank, |
0:35.6 | Serra's in resort, Lindsay Golf, and Abilita Maria. |
0:39.6 | Hey, is there anything that Opus doesn't know? He knows everything, man. |
0:44.6 | Casey Opich is the catcher, team captain, and a driving force for the razorback baseball team. |
0:50.0 | He erases offense. |
0:52.1 | This is solid behind the plate as you will find in this country. |
0:55.2 | He goes for third to pitch inside throw by opens to third. They got him. |
0:59.5 | Do not test Casey opens. But he's playing a season he never intended to have I definitely |
1:06.7 | plan on getting drafted that was the main thing you know I was just ready to get |
1:09.6 | you know by pro crew started you know towards my all-time dream and that's what we thought was going to happen. That's not what happened. |
1:17.2 | Somebody needs to take Casey Opens soon because you're missing out. |
1:22.8 | Due to COVID in a shortened draft, opportunities to GoPro |
1:26.4 | weren't quite enough to pull them away from the hill. |
1:29.6 | A lot of guys careers ended that day. And that's super sad. I get to come back to Arkansas and it was like I don't |
1:36.6 | know why I'm anywhere near upset. I had to come back here and do this again this is a blessing. |
1:41.4 | Pay off. |
1:42.5 | Swing and a miss throw to third. |
1:47.1 | They'll be drafted high next year, I feel like, |
1:49.3 | and he'll have his degree or ride at it when he walks out of here. |
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