Monarchs+ recently caught up with ODU senior outfielder Scotty Young to talk about the season, looking back on his time in Norfolk, and looking ahead as the team prepares for the upcoming Sun Belt Conference Championship. A native of Mission Viejo, California, Young is hitting .298 with one home run, 21 runs, and 12 RBIs. He;s been an integral part in ODU’s recent success with a couple of walk-off hits against VCU on April 28 and in the rubber match versus Arkansas State on May 3.
Q: When you look at your senior season so far, what are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of our resilience as a group. With the way the transfer portal and eligibility rules have changed college baseball, it’s become pretty common to have more new roster guys than returners. That makes it tough to build and maintain a strong culture, and we’ve definitely had our struggles with that at times this year. But through the trials and the tough stretches, this team has done a great job of looking in the mirror, asking ourselves how bad we really want it, and refusing to let the hard times snowball. We’ve risen to the occasion more often than not, and that’s what I’m proudest of.
Q: The team is right in the mix of the Sun Belt standings. What’s your mindset going into these last 2 weeks of the regular season?
I’m a big believer that there’s nothing better than being able to control your own destiny. Thankfully, despite a couple of tough late-game losses, we’ve put ourselves in a position to earn a bid to the conference tournament. When we’re playing at our best, I truly believe we can compete with any team in the country. We have two really big challenges in front of us, but I feel like we’re playing our best baseball right now.
Situational Hitting
Q: You’ve had two walk-off hits last week and the team has had four in the last three weeks. What are you thinking in those key situations? Do you change your approach, or is it just another at bat to you? How do drown out the noise and handle the pressure in those moments?
Our assistant coaches have done an awesome job in late-game situations. They pull us aside and tell us to slow down, understand the situation, and own the moment. In reality, all the pressure is on the pitcher and the defense. Thanks to their advice, I feel relaxed and confident in those big spots, and it’s been awesome to see us succeed in some close games down the stretch. Walk-offs are funny; all the glory and celebration go to the final swing, but in reality, there are so many factors that go into setting up that moment. You have to play great defense, pitch effectively, and play sound offensive baseball just to earn the opportunity to win the game with one swing.
Growth from 2025 → 2026
Q: This is now your second season as a Monarch after starting your career at Rutgers. What’s changed from year one to year two and where do you feel you’ve improved your game?
This is the first time in my college career that I’ve gotten to return to the same school for a consecutive season. That’s been such a benefit for me both as a player and as a person. It allowed me to carry established relationships with my teammates and coaches straight into the fall, which helped me develop and grow as a leader and as a player. Every year brings a unique team with its own strengths, but in good programs a lot of those strengths carry over because of the style of baseball that group plays. We take a lot of pride in our approach at the plate and making in-game offensive adjustments. Getting to return for another year has allowed me to build real trust with the people around me, allowing me to give and receive information that helps us win baseball games.
Looking Back / Looking Ahead
Q: What brought you to ODU and how did the Monarchs get on your radar?
In the transfer portal, a four-year player at ODU, Joey DiChiaro, put me in contact with the coaches. He’s one of my best friends and a perfect example of the kind of person and player that belongs in this program. Before the transfer portal even opened, Joey told me I was going to be a Monarch. It was the right decision all around; the coaches and support staff are some of the best in the country, and the players and community welcomed me right in.
Q: What goals have you set for yourself and what do you still want to accomplish in your time in Norfolk?
After earning my Bachelor of Science degree from ODU last year, I enrolled in the Health and Physical Education Master of Science program with an emphasis in coaching education. This will help me kickstart my career in the teaching and coaching world, and hopefully one day allow me to coach my 11-year-old brother in high school when he gets to that point.
Leadership & Team Identity
Q: As a senior, how have you taken on more of a leadership role this year? How would you describe your game and your role on the team?
I would say I’ve developed into more of a vocal leader this year. I try to do my part in keeping the game fun, celebrating the guys’ success, and bringing energy any time we’re at the field. It’s been awesome seeing the younger guys grow not just physically, but in their character and personalities. Hopefully, my experience in my college career helps set up the next wave of great ODU baseball teams.
Q: What’s the personality of this team?
I would say this team is resilient. Looking at our schedule, we’ve gone the entire year without getting swept. Although there are plenty of games this year we wish we could have back, those challenges have put a chip on our shoulder and forced us to dig deep. That’s helped us start to gain real momentum heading into the end of the year.
Q: The cardiac kids continue to show up on this team. What makes this group dangerous in Sun Belt play, and how do you continue that momentum heading into the conference tournament?
There have been multiple points in the season where we could have thrown in the towel and tucked our tail between our legs. But we challenged ourselves to rise to every occasion because it felt like we had nothing to lose. This group has an immense amount of talent and love for each other. We’re so close to clicking together, and when we do, we’re going to be a problem. We’ve competed with and beaten every team we’ve played in Sun Belt play so far. When we get into that tournament, we’re going to play with our hair on fire.
