REBEL CHECK-IN
EDARIAN WILLIAMS
UNLV BASEBALL
SOPHOMORE HUMAN SERVICES MAJOR
April 9, 2020
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Edarian Williams and his fellow Rebels were moments away from hopping on a bus and heading west to face 18th-ranked UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in the Golden State. However, that trip to the California coast never came to be as the weekend, nonconference series was canceled out of precautionary measures to the Coronavirus/COVID-19.
Williams and the Rebels were in the midst of playing some of the best baseball of the season. In a four-game stretch leading up to the eventual cancellation of the season, the squad had handily swept a three-game series against the St. John's Red Storm, outscoring the Big East foe by a combined 34-5 score, and suffered a hard-fought, 3-1 loss to the Houston Cougars.
The Rancho High School grad – like the team – was starting to get things going offensively, as well. In his last nine games, the 2019 Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year had posted a .363 batting average, going 12-for-33 at the plate and collecting a hit in all but one outing. In the SJU series alone, he had six hits that resulted in seven RBI and five runs scored, including a three-hit, three-RBI and three-run effort in the series finale.
UNLVRebels.com had a chance this week to check in with the sophomore second baseman from Las Vegas.
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UNLVRebels.com: How did you think the season was going, seemed like things were picking up with the last two home series against Creighton & St. John's.
Edarian: Obviously, we got off to a slow start. Those last two weekends, we were starting to pick things up. We were feeling good about ourselves. It kind of sucks how it ended, but it ended. It happens.
U: The team was close to loading up the bus for a trip to play UCSB that Thursday. How did you guys find out that it was canceled?
E: We were actually sitting in the locker room, ready to go. Then we were told to hold on for a little bit, so we couldn't leave yet. They came in and told us. Everyone was in shock, a little bit. It took a while for it to hit.
U: With this normally being a busy time of year for you trying to mix school work with 3-5 games a week, what has changed for you? Were you already enrolled in online classes?
E: Honestly, nothing. It's our season right now or would have been, at least. We all kind of have online classes. I have one in-person class, so I guess you could say that's the only thing that changed.
U: You are here at home in Las Vegas, what are you doing to keep busy?
E: I've been working out. I just recently starting hitting again. I just got a new puppy, Zeus, so I've been playing with him. It's a pit mix with a Cane Corso. Kind of just hanging out with family. Obviously, play a little PS4 every now and then. Just trying to stay busy.
U: What has been the biggest challenge for you during this period?
E: I'm used to being around all of my teammates and all of my friends. That changing is kind of weird and different, but I think that's the biggest challenge is just being bored and not having as much to do as I normally do.
U: Is this the longest you have gone without playing baseball?
E: Yeah, I'd say so. Obviously, you have your summer ball and then you have your month off before we start up in the fall, but I'd say it's going on the longest.
U: Are you doing anything to better yourself that isn't related to baseball or school?
E: I've done yoga a couple time the past three weeks. That's something we've been doing as a team, but I've been doing it on my own. Other than that, just much-needed rest.
U: What are you most looking forward to when this time period ends?
E: Getting back to baseball. Get back to playing. Be able to go do stuff. Going back to normalcy.
U: What is your favorite thing you have watched during this period?
E: On Netflix, I watched a series called "All-American." Just yesterday, I started "Ozark."
U: Is there a message that you would like to give to the fans?
E: Obviously, stay positive. I know it's a hard time. It's a hard time for all of us. Take this time to spend with your family and enjoy it as much as you can.
