Joe Sever is off to a great start in his Pepperdine University baseball career. As a freshman, he led the Waves in batting average (.310), 37 runs scored and three triples while starting all 54 games at second base. He was one of only three players for Pepperdine to start and play every game. For his efforts, he was given the 2010 WCC Honorable Mention and was selected to the All-Freshman team.
His sophomore season has picked up where his freshman year left off. Sever is currently batting .287 on the campaign with a team-leading five home runs and 26 RBIs. He has infused the Waves’ offense with his consistent and timely hitting.
Sever has taken his game to another level in recent weeks. In an 11-game stretch between April 23 and May 18, he hit .512 (22-for-43) with four home runs and 14 RBIs. He had multihit games (two or more hits) in eight of those 11 contests.
During a three-game series against Santa Clara, he went 7 for 12. The next series versus San Francisco, Sever continued his torrid hitting by going 7 for 13 at the plate. Included in that was a game three performance versus the Dons where Sever went 4 for 5 with a grand slam and five RBIs.
Sever was born and raised in San Jose and was the recipient of the San Jose High School Athlete of the Year in 2009. He is the nephew of former Denver Bronco great and legendary quarterback, John Elway.
His Pepperdine career has been strong thus far and this summer he has been invited to play in the prestigious Cape Cod League.
The Malibu Times had the opportunity to meet up with Sever as he winds down his second year at Pepperdine.
Talk about your batting performance during those 11 games.
At the beginning of the year I was really pressing and trying to do too much. I was thinking too much at the plate. So I sat down with a friend from home right before the Loyola Marymount series and talked. He helped me realize that I should just go out there and play and not think so much.
How do you allow the game to come to you and not force the issue?
Our coach [Steve Rodriguez] always talks about not forcing things. I was definitely forcing things. The game has slowed down and is now coming to me. It’s a lot easier that way and a lot more fun. I’ve been relaxed and seen the ball real well. I’m hitting the ball solid, finding holes and coming up big when I need to.
What are your plans for the summer?
I’m heading to Cape Cod to play for the Chatham Anglers. I’m real excited for that. I will see some good pitching. It will be a test but I am really looking forward to it.
Some of my teammates are going as well. Jon Moscot and Zach Vincej will be there playing for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. I will be the only one from Pepperdine on my team but it will be fun to play against those guys.
What are the goals for you heading into the off-season and for next year at Pepperdine?
I just need to keep things going. Keep the game slowed down for myself and have fun. As for the team, we need to find some momentum and gain confidence for next year to know that we can win. We are playing well but losing some close games. We are right there. We just need to get over the hump. Getting confidence is the biggest thing. I think we will be fine.