2009 (JUNIOR): Named a “Player to Watch” in the OVC by Collegiate Baseball magazine heading into the 2010 season … earned second team All-OVC honors in 2009 after starting every game except one at first base, batting .340 and ranking second on the team in home runs (eight) and RBI (50) … the deceivingly quick infielder also stole 11 bases … even more impressive may have been his defensive play, as he committed only one error at first base all season and compiled an astounding fielding percentage of .997 … recorded a team-best 14-game hitting streak during the season … went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the Colonels’ 7-5 upset of No. 25 Louisville (3/3) … went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored during EKU’s win over yet another BIG EAST opponent, Connecticut (3/13) … batted 8-for-12 with nine RBI and three runs scored during a three-game series with conference adversary Morehead State (3/28-29) … delivered a go-ahead single in the eighth inning and another go-ahead single in the tenth inning of an epic 11-inning 24-23 loss to Western Carolina (4/8).
2008 (SOPHOMORE): EKU’s leading hitter from a year ago … compiled a stellar batting average of .354, eighth best in the OVC … led the team with 47 RBI and a .436 on base percentage … also tops on the team with 189 at-bats, 67 hits and 14 hit-by-pitches …tied for second on the team with four home runs … swiped 10 bases and scored 35 runs …led the team with 21 multi-hit games … named OVC Player of the Week on April 14 after batting .533 (8-for-15) over a four-game span … also drove in 11 runs and scored five during the span … blasted home runs on consecutive days during a weekend series with UT Martin … went a perfect 4-for-4 against Illinois on March 14 with an RBI and a run scored … recorded another four-hit game on March 30 against Morehead State, going 4-for-6 with a run scored and four RBI … with EKU’s season on the line against Eastern Illinois on May 16, he led the Colonels to victory with a 2-for-3 performance that included a solo blast, two runs scored and an RBI.
2007 (FRESHMAN): Reserve infielder at the University of Kentucky … played in 21 games with seven starts … played mostly third base, although capable of playing second or shortstop … registered 36 at-bats, finishing the season with a .222 batting average …doubled twice and ripped one home run … home run came against No. 1 Vanderbilt, part of a 1-for-2 day off the bench ... slugged .361 and reached base at a .333 clip.
2006 (FRESHMAN): Redshirted at the University of Kentucky ... played for the Altamonte Springs Snappers and was named the MVP of the Florida Collegiate Summer League ... also recieved the Dante Bichette Batting Champion award for the league.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned first team all-state honors from the Florida Sports Writers Association and was the Class 2A Region Player of the Year while playing at Trinity Catholic High School … batted .462 with six home runs, seven triples and 10 doubles for the year … drove in 33 runs and scored 55 … showed excellent speed, stealing 25 bases … set school records for batting average, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, stolen bases, RBIs and runs scored during career … also holds Trinity Catholic career record for home runs … named third team all-state after batting .400 with three home runs and 25 RBI as a junior … selected to play in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars and the state all-star game … led team to back-to-back district championships as well as a final four appearance as a junior.
PERSONAL: Born May 26, 1987 ... son of Vikki and Anthony Ottrando ... majoring in communications.
Get to Know Anthony Ottrando ...
What is currently playing on your iPod: “A Skylit Drive” by Prelude to a Dream
What is your favorite inspirational quote: “It only takes one” - Ted Williams
Favorite movie: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
If you could have dinner with three people, they would be: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Peyton Manning, and Robert Downey Jr.
Pick an actor to play you in the upcoming movie about you: Robert Downey Jr.
Three things on your “bucket list” are: Skydive, do a TV show with Bear Grylls and run a marathon.
What song gets you pumped before games: “Forever” by Lil Wayne, Drake, Kanye West and Eminem
What are your pregame superstitions: Drink a Monster.
