Coach (Rob) Smith said we're keeping our heads above water. I would say the water is over our mouth but under our nose. We can still breathe but we can't take a big breath. I just hope we have some guys who know how to swim. |
He has an incredible work ethic. He is driven for success and he has his priorities straight. It shows in how he goes about his life on and off the mound. |
He has really come up big for us in some long relief stints. He is someone who has taken some time to physically and mentally develop at the Division I level, but he has worked at it. |
He hurt his arm the summer before he came here and he had Tommy John surgery. He's probably not at 100 percent. I also like the fact that he's not afraid at the plate, either. He got a big hit and put down a key bunt for us. |
I just don't like giving stuff away. I am not taking anything away from Ball State, we just did not execute. It's a tough loss. I wanted to win that game as much as any game I have ever coached. |
I will take this team whenever we have our backs up against a wall. I was proud of how we fought really hard to get out of a few holes. We scored first in all four games this weekend. We just have to work on getting those wins when we are the slight favorite. |
In all of the games, we hit the ball. We just need to tighten up on defense and learn to work from an early deficit. |
In the last two games, we made a conscious effort to hit line drives. The guys did a little better job at the plate, which was encouraging. |
It's not a perfect situation. The turf is hard. So, we try to keep pounding down to a minimum as far as running and excess. But you gotta do some of it. |
On a day like today, with the wind blowing out, you should never give up on a game. We had opportunities early to extend the lead, but we never knocked them (Illinois State) to the canvas. |
Our key players will need to make key plays. It will be a test for our pitching staff and defense to see where we are at. |
Our offense was clicking in the final two games. We were able to bust it open and that is really good for our defense, pitching and coaches. |
There is no reason why we shouldn't work on some of those little things. They can add up and give you an advantage over the course of a game, or a weekend series or even a season. |
Through our first five games, we have seen four or five possible All-Americans. Our defense has been playing OK, but we need to tighten up some things so we can combat the other team's pitching. |
Today was a big game because I told the guys we either were winning the series or settling for a tie. We swung the bats a lot better today. |