Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki Baseball Conversation | Will LaRue
01/18/2019 | 12:50:00 | Baseball
Will LaRue joined the Saluki Baseball team as a graduate transfer for the 2019 season, and he enters the season with the most stolen bases of any active player in college baseball. LaRue earned his undergraduate degree from Xavier, where he led the Musketeers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2016 and 2017. After losing his senior season to a labrum injury just five games into the season, LaRue graduated and transferred to SIU, where his brother, Seth, is the hitting coach. LaRue is currently pursuing an MBA from SIU and obtained a perfect 4.0 GPA in Fall 2018. We sat down with him to talk about his journey to SIU, the culture of an NCAA team, his baseball family, and more. Â
Tell us about your background
I'm from Evansville, Indiana. I have two older brothers, Hank and Seth. My parents are Mark and Cathy. I went to Evansville Mater Dei High School and played baseball and basketball. I went on to Xavier to play baseball for four years and won two conference championships. We went to NCAA regionals both years. We played in the Vanderbilt Regional my sophomore year and lost to UC Santa Barbara in the championship. My junior year, we played in the Louisville Regional and lost to Louisville 9-7 in the championship game. My junior summer, unfortunately, I tore my left labrum and had surgery. I came back in time for my senior season; but five games in, I tore my right labrum. I missed the entire season and got a medical redshirt. Things worked out, and now I'm here at Southern Illinois.
What's it like being the youngest in a baseball family?
Both my brothers played college baseball, and so did my dad. My grandpa played baseball, too. I come from a baseball family. Hank and Seth are very competitive people, and they always pushed me to be better. They beat me up a little bit growing up, but it was all in good fun, and it pushed me and made me the person I am today. We're similar in our competitiveness and love for the game. I think that was instilled in us from our dad. We would be outside for three hours. When he got off work at 5, we would be outside until the sun went down. He would hit us fungos or pitch to us. We just loved being around the game. When Hank and Seth played college ball, I loved watching them play. I think our love for the game and passion for competing, whether it's baseball, basketball, or ping-pong, we love to compete. In that aspect, we're all the same. We love being around each other, and we're really tight.Â
What was your recruiting process like out of high school?
I actually loved basketball more than baseball; but my sophomore year, I realized I had more potential in baseball. I played for the Evansville Wolfpack in summer ball tournaments. I had a few looks, but not a ton of Division I offers. I didn't know a lot about Xavier going into it; but on my visit, I really liked the coaches and the culture they built there. It was the perfect fit. When I arrived on campus, I was shown around by some upper classmen that reminded me of my brothers. They were competitive guys and relatable and friendly. I loved it there the four years I was on that team. It was an awesome experience.Â
What were your expectations going into Xavier?
I didn't know what to expect because they had brought in a transfer senior, but he ended up having some injuries. We didn't have a great year, and they plugged me into center field, and I got a lot of experience. I really developed. My sophomore and junior seasons, I played left field mostly and got a ton of at-bats. The culture we built there was very unique. That's a credit to the coaches and the players they recruited. We all had the same vision and goals in mind, and it paid off in the end.Â
What is the culture of an NCAA Tournament team?
People ask me that all the time, and I think the biggest thing is knowing your role. Some guys are meant to hit in the 3- and 4-hole and supposed to put up big numbers, whether it's home runs or RBIs. But everyone has a role, and everyone is important, whether that's the guy on the bench that pinch runs in the 8th inning or the fourth or fifth reliever that might not throw a ton of innings, but when they come in, they know they have to do their job. Always be ready and know your role. It's hard to explain. Both my sophomore and junior years, we got off to slow starts, but you have to have that confidence when you go on the field, no matter who you play. When you go on the field, know that you're the best team and have the confidence to win.Â
Talk about your game
Xavier did a great job of letting me be me and letting me play my game, whether that's beating out a ball to the shortstop or stealing second and third when I get on. They didn't have any constraints on me, and that's why it's a great opportunity to come here to SIU. I know how SIU has played the last couple years, and that's exactly the team I want to be a part of. I think we have special things in store for this year. It's a perfect field for me. The outfield is big. They steal a ton of bases and are aggressive. They take chances.Â
What did you know about SIU?
I didn't know much about SIU growing up, but my older brothers played against Kendal Brown-Surles, who played basketball here. Hank and Kendal were pretty good friends, so I know about SIU through that. I played against Jalen Pendleton, who also played basketball here. He was a really good athlete.Â
How hard was it lose your senior season to injury? But then you have a chance to play for your brother at SIU, which had to be exciting.
As soon as I got hurt, I knew it would probably end the season. I didn't know what was in store after that. As the season went on, I talked to my coaches at Xavier, and then I talked to Seth. Seth talked to Coach Henderson, and we got the ball rolling from there. I loved Xavier, and I don't have any regrets. It was just the perfect opportunity. This is a very rare occasion where you get to play for your brother. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I was closer to home, and family is very important to me. My parents are glad they can both see me play and see Seth coach. It was the perfect fit.Â
You've come in and become a leader of the team. Is that something that has always been a part of your game?Â
I don't know. It's not like I came in here trying to be a leader or a captain. I think it's just my experience and the success I had at Xavier. I was a captain at Xavier, and I think I was a leader there, too, but it's something that happens naturally. You can't just walk in and say, 'Hey, I'm the leader of this team.' You have to gain the respect of the people you play with and the coaches. It's something that happens over time.Â
What do you see of this year's team?Â
I'm excited. I think we're a talented group. That's dangerous to say because you can say anything preseason. I was working with the position guys every day this fall, and I know the skills that our guys possess, whether that's stealing bases or running down balls in the gaps. This is one of the most talented groups of hitters I've ever played with. As far as my expectations, I think the sky is the limit for this group. We need to get off to a good start, but I think we're in position to have a good year with the players we have and the leaders we have. Good things are to come.Â
What's it like being coached by your brother?
There's not a big difference. The coaches at Xavier were young, about my brother's age. I wouldn't expect Seth to treat me like anything else. He's not going to play favorites. It's been totally normal. Going into it, I thought it would be a little weird. He's easy to work with and treats me like all the other guys.Â
What's in your future?
If the opportunity arises at the end of the year to play pro ball, I'm going to take that chance. I'm more concerned about this season. I think we have a special group, and I'm ready to get after it with them. As far as long-term goals, I just want to finish school and see what happens after that.Â
More Saluki Baseball Conversations » Harrison | S. LaRue | Lyon | Vasic
Â
Tell us about your background
I'm from Evansville, Indiana. I have two older brothers, Hank and Seth. My parents are Mark and Cathy. I went to Evansville Mater Dei High School and played baseball and basketball. I went on to Xavier to play baseball for four years and won two conference championships. We went to NCAA regionals both years. We played in the Vanderbilt Regional my sophomore year and lost to UC Santa Barbara in the championship. My junior year, we played in the Louisville Regional and lost to Louisville 9-7 in the championship game. My junior summer, unfortunately, I tore my left labrum and had surgery. I came back in time for my senior season; but five games in, I tore my right labrum. I missed the entire season and got a medical redshirt. Things worked out, and now I'm here at Southern Illinois.
What's it like being the youngest in a baseball family?
Both my brothers played college baseball, and so did my dad. My grandpa played baseball, too. I come from a baseball family. Hank and Seth are very competitive people, and they always pushed me to be better. They beat me up a little bit growing up, but it was all in good fun, and it pushed me and made me the person I am today. We're similar in our competitiveness and love for the game. I think that was instilled in us from our dad. We would be outside for three hours. When he got off work at 5, we would be outside until the sun went down. He would hit us fungos or pitch to us. We just loved being around the game. When Hank and Seth played college ball, I loved watching them play. I think our love for the game and passion for competing, whether it's baseball, basketball, or ping-pong, we love to compete. In that aspect, we're all the same. We love being around each other, and we're really tight.Â
What was your recruiting process like out of high school?
I actually loved basketball more than baseball; but my sophomore year, I realized I had more potential in baseball. I played for the Evansville Wolfpack in summer ball tournaments. I had a few looks, but not a ton of Division I offers. I didn't know a lot about Xavier going into it; but on my visit, I really liked the coaches and the culture they built there. It was the perfect fit. When I arrived on campus, I was shown around by some upper classmen that reminded me of my brothers. They were competitive guys and relatable and friendly. I loved it there the four years I was on that team. It was an awesome experience.Â
What were your expectations going into Xavier?
I didn't know what to expect because they had brought in a transfer senior, but he ended up having some injuries. We didn't have a great year, and they plugged me into center field, and I got a lot of experience. I really developed. My sophomore and junior seasons, I played left field mostly and got a ton of at-bats. The culture we built there was very unique. That's a credit to the coaches and the players they recruited. We all had the same vision and goals in mind, and it paid off in the end.Â
What is the culture of an NCAA Tournament team?
People ask me that all the time, and I think the biggest thing is knowing your role. Some guys are meant to hit in the 3- and 4-hole and supposed to put up big numbers, whether it's home runs or RBIs. But everyone has a role, and everyone is important, whether that's the guy on the bench that pinch runs in the 8th inning or the fourth or fifth reliever that might not throw a ton of innings, but when they come in, they know they have to do their job. Always be ready and know your role. It's hard to explain. Both my sophomore and junior years, we got off to slow starts, but you have to have that confidence when you go on the field, no matter who you play. When you go on the field, know that you're the best team and have the confidence to win.Â
Talk about your game
Xavier did a great job of letting me be me and letting me play my game, whether that's beating out a ball to the shortstop or stealing second and third when I get on. They didn't have any constraints on me, and that's why it's a great opportunity to come here to SIU. I know how SIU has played the last couple years, and that's exactly the team I want to be a part of. I think we have special things in store for this year. It's a perfect field for me. The outfield is big. They steal a ton of bases and are aggressive. They take chances.Â
What did you know about SIU?
I didn't know much about SIU growing up, but my older brothers played against Kendal Brown-Surles, who played basketball here. Hank and Kendal were pretty good friends, so I know about SIU through that. I played against Jalen Pendleton, who also played basketball here. He was a really good athlete.Â
How hard was it lose your senior season to injury? But then you have a chance to play for your brother at SIU, which had to be exciting.
As soon as I got hurt, I knew it would probably end the season. I didn't know what was in store after that. As the season went on, I talked to my coaches at Xavier, and then I talked to Seth. Seth talked to Coach Henderson, and we got the ball rolling from there. I loved Xavier, and I don't have any regrets. It was just the perfect opportunity. This is a very rare occasion where you get to play for your brother. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I was closer to home, and family is very important to me. My parents are glad they can both see me play and see Seth coach. It was the perfect fit.Â
You've come in and become a leader of the team. Is that something that has always been a part of your game?Â
I don't know. It's not like I came in here trying to be a leader or a captain. I think it's just my experience and the success I had at Xavier. I was a captain at Xavier, and I think I was a leader there, too, but it's something that happens naturally. You can't just walk in and say, 'Hey, I'm the leader of this team.' You have to gain the respect of the people you play with and the coaches. It's something that happens over time.Â
What do you see of this year's team?Â
I'm excited. I think we're a talented group. That's dangerous to say because you can say anything preseason. I was working with the position guys every day this fall, and I know the skills that our guys possess, whether that's stealing bases or running down balls in the gaps. This is one of the most talented groups of hitters I've ever played with. As far as my expectations, I think the sky is the limit for this group. We need to get off to a good start, but I think we're in position to have a good year with the players we have and the leaders we have. Good things are to come.Â
What's it like being coached by your brother?
There's not a big difference. The coaches at Xavier were young, about my brother's age. I wouldn't expect Seth to treat me like anything else. He's not going to play favorites. It's been totally normal. Going into it, I thought it would be a little weird. He's easy to work with and treats me like all the other guys.Â
What's in your future?
If the opportunity arises at the end of the year to play pro ball, I'm going to take that chance. I'm more concerned about this season. I think we have a special group, and I'm ready to get after it with them. As far as long-term goals, I just want to finish school and see what happens after that.Â
More Saluki Baseball Conversations » Harrison | S. LaRue | Lyon | Vasic
Â
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