Feb. 26, 2007
On the overall importance of this game
"It's still February and it's early. We went up there last year and lost about this time of year and wound up being in the NCAA Tournament and they didn't have as good of a season. I don't think you can read a whole lot into what happens this time of year from a results standpoint. Having said that, it's two rivals and we've had some pretty good games over the past decade that meant a lot. Any time we do play, there is an emphasis on the game simply because of that. This will be no different. Right now, it's going to be another test for our kids. We're going into a little more hostile environment and trying to get our offense going and still stay solid in the two areas that we've done well in and that's pitching and defense."
On overcoming slow starts
"I think it's way too early in the season for anyone to predetermine anything. We certainly would not do that. We're 5-4 going in and haven't gotten off to a tremendous start. But on the flight back (from California) I was looking at some of our years, how we started and how we finished. The one thing we've done a pretty good job of over the years is playing better down the stretch. Last year's club was a great example of that, winning 20 of 22 at one point. We struggled early. In 1996, we were 18-15 at one point and won 20 of 21. You just have so many unanswered questions this time of year, and it's really tough to say that our club is going to be this kind of club or that kind of club. Anybody who has been doing this for a while understands that you're going to evolve. Some players you expect to have an integral part don't have the kind of years. And someone comes out of the shadows and has a great year for you. Until you start seeing those things emerge, you really don't have a good feel for your club and what they're capable of doing as much as you'd like. I don't think this year is any different and I don't think this club is any different."
On two traditional power-hitting teams perhaps battling a small-ball session on Tuesday
"Neither one of us are going to be able to live on the long ball. If you look at our numbers, we don't have a lot of power. And if you look at our stolen bases, we haven't stolen a lot of basis. I guess it's a we're small but slow type of thing. We've got to be able to push runners around the bases by hitting-and-running and bunting and doing a good job of those things. If we don't do a good job of those things, it's going to be tough for us to score. And then we have to do a much better job then we did on Friday night of getting them in this position and then cashing in. Pitching and defense will always keep you in games. Over the last couple of years, we've had so many low scoring games - 1, 2 or 3-run ballgames - which provides a lot of save opportunities. We haven't been blowing many people out, but we've been pitching and playing defense, and we have an outstanding closer. It gives you a chance to win and we've done a good job of that. We'd like to see the offense become more potent and stretch that lead and take us out of that save opportunity - even though we feel really comfortable in those situations when we're in them with Daniel (Latham) on the mound. You can't expect that that's the way you're going to win the game every day. If we can get our offense clicking with a little more consistency, especially in RBI opportunities and moving runners, I certainly would feel better about our club."
On projected starting pitcher Matt Goebel
"Matt Goebel is going to start for us. He's a fifth-year senior and this is his first start in a long time. He had surgery two years ago, last year he was coming off that surgery and did not have the same velocity that he had prior to. He did not have the same depth on his breaking ball again because of the lack of velocity. But now in the last three or four months, starting in the latter parts of fall baseball, his velocity is starting to get back to where it was pre-surgery and his breaking ball has a lot more depth. He's a fifth-year guy who is our captain and has had so much experience in our program. As a freshman, he was our ace for the first half of the season in 2002. If he could get back to where he was, he can be a real asset on the mound. We don't expect him to go very deep in the game, but you like to have him out there. He's a guy we feel a little more comfortable with in that setting who won't be overwhelmed as maybe a freshman would be who doesn't have as much experience."
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