Over the past two seasons for UNC baseball, Trent Thornton has spent his time clearly establishing himself as the ace of the pitching staff.  With the 2015 opener set for Feb. 13 against Seton Hall, the junior right-hander gives us an inside look into his life both on and off the diamond as we get you prepared for another run at the College World Series with our Countdown to First Pitch preview series.

Coming off a sophomore campaign in which he led all Tar Heel starters in wins, strikeouts, and ERA, Trent has definitely caught the eyes of major league scouts. These accomplishments were enough to earn him 3rd team preseason All-American honors for 2015, along with reliever Reilly Hovis.

This success came after a freshman season in 2013 where he started the year in the bullpen. But Trent ascended the ranks in no time, starting against LSU in the College World Series; a moment he names as the highlight of his career to this point.

(Photo courtesy of News & Observer)

Trent icing his arm during the 2013 College World Series. (News & Observer)

Discussing his pro potential, Trent says “it’s always been a dream to get drafted and make it to the major leagues, but you can’t look too far ahead into the future. You got to focus on what you have today. That’s something I’ve really focused on, is taking it day by day, because you never know what can happen.”

While he wouldn’t commit to any future plans, he did list the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates as two teams he’s always grown up wanting to play for.

Sports is a crazy world where a bad season or a freak injury can change an athlete’s life dramatically.

With this in mind, Thornton, a business major, says that “[he’s] actually thought about this a lot lately,” adding that if something happened where he wasn’t able to play professionally “[he’d] really like to stay in the game of baseball some way, coaching could be an option, but I’d also really like to start my own business.”

Off the field, Trent enjoys spending time with his roommates, and teammates, Korey Dunbar, Alex Raburn, and Taylore Cherry. As for his hobbies, you can include pretty much anything involved with the outdoors, saying “I like to keep pretty busy, I like to stay outside, I like to fish, play ultimate Frisbee, disc golf, and golf. If it’s outside I’m normally doing something there.”

Never a fun sight for opposing hitters. (UNC Athletics)

His personality is one that’s very laid back, but don’t let that fool you. Trent is serious about putting in the work it takes in order to perform at the highest level. This balance has helped Thornton and head coach Mike Fox form a tight bond since the righty’s arrival in Chapel Hill.

“I think Coach Fox is a great coach and I think we have a very good relationship. I like to joke around with him a lot, and I have a pretty good sense of humor I’d say. I like to put a smile on his face any way I can,” Trent says.

It takes a special kind of competitive fire to be the best at what you do, and in the case of UNC’s star pitcher, that’s definitely an accurate assessment.

Asked what pitch he would throw if he was one out away from a perfect game, with a full count, and Derek Jeter (in his prime) at the plate, Trent didn’t hesitate with his answer.

“I’d go with the fastball, just try and blow it by him up and in or low and away. It’s a bulldog mentality. I go out there with a chip on my shoulder every day like I have something to prove.”

2014 ended on a sour note for the Tar Heels, falling in the first round of the NCAA tournament behind a pair of losses to Long Beach State – this after previously taking six trips to Omaha for the College World Series since 2006.

Bringing the fastball, pretending Derek Jeter is batting. (UNC Athletics)

Bringing the fastball, pretending Derek Jeter is batting. (UNC Athletics)

Last season was out of character, but it was certainly not an indictment of the talent on this year’s baseball team.  They see no reason not to be optimistic.

“There’s a big difference between last year’s team and this year’s team,” Trent says, “We’ve got a lot of good freshmen that came in this year, and I think we’ve got a lot to prove, but we can definitely compete in, and probably win the ACC. We’re expecting a lot out of this team.”

When it comes to which game he’s most excited about pitching in, it was clear that the local rivalry is still burning strong among players, quickly replying “NC State, absolutely.”

Opening day is right around the corner, folks, and when it gets here, number 31 will be on the mound. Seton Hall better be ready, as the self-described “bulldog” is better than ever, and will be bringing his best stuff.

As a matter of fact, the entire ACC might want to have their players go ahead and start taking notes.

Trent Thornton is coming for them – probably with the fastball high and tight.