By James Hernandez

James: What are the keys to rebounding from a 1-3 conference start?

Coach Montalto: The key is to keep our minds focused on the process over the outcome. There are some things that we need to fix during practice and work on but the team is ready and willing to make those changes. We're going to need to come out this weekend and take it one pitch at a time.

James: After scoring 17 runs in the 1^st game of the weekend, the team was only able to manage 18 runs scored over the final 3 games. What lead to the lack of runs in the final 3 games of the weekend?

Coach Montalto: We did not execute offensively by getting the runners who were on base in. We had a total of 64 runners on base over a span of the four games and we only scored 35 of them. To me that just isn't okay. We need to do a better job on getting our coyotes in when they are on base. We batted very well this weekend. When you have a team batting average of .417 and not one player who was in the lineup consistently bat under .300 the issue does not fall on timing or the quality of swings we are taking. The issue falls on capitalizing on defensive mistakes and being table clearers. We need to come out this weekend and score the runners we have on.  

James: Can you provide the readers with a brief scouting report of this weekend's opponent, the Snow College Badgers?

Coach Montalto: Snow has always been a tough competitor. They're the type of team that will take every inch and mile that is given to them. They're the team that never goes away and never falls asleep. They have a lot of new faces as well so it will be interesting to see if they were able to carry that culture over to the new players.

James: What adjustments do you feel starting pitchers Shonda Badayos and Jaycie LeBaron need to make in order to pitch deeper into games?

Coach Montalto:We are focusing on narrowing down their vision of the plate. During their bull pen yesterday they were tasked with pitching 50 consistent strikes that only hit the black part of the plate. What this does is take a 17 inch target and make it 3 inches, if that. By having a smaller target, their tunnel vision (umpire, catcher, batter, fans in the stand etc.) decreases and they are only focusing on that small target. By doing this I believe their consistency and focus is going to be a lot stronger this weekend against Snow College. As a pitching staff they also need to focus one pitch at a time and getting ahead in the count. Learning their batters is going to be a process that will evolve for the both of them throughout the year but in time will prove to be effective.

James: With only six homeruns hit during the first 13 games, give us a few players that you feel can add some pop to the lineup as the season progresses?

Coach Montalto: I try not to focus on the long ball when it comes to hitting. As a hitting staff we strive for consistent line drives that pack some power behind it. Mackenzie McBride proved that philosophy this weekend. She is a very consistent line drive hitter that is making a name for herself. Kara Simpson is a player who has the potential, to hit majority of home runs. When she makes solid contact that ball will sail because of her finish. A powerful hitter I am excited for is Amber Calderon. She packs a hard punch behind her swing. As soon as she settles into her groove I believe we're going to see those homeruns start to increase.

James: With only three sophomores in the starting lineup how important is it for them to set the tone for the freshman both on and off of the field?  

Coach Montalto: It's extremely important for those three to be the tone setters for this team. Their consistency on the field and their leadership off the field needs to guide the pack in the right direction. If they lead, the team will follow. They are great ball players who have a huge impact in what we do so when it boils down to it, the ones who are ready to make a change and rise up will follow the leadership of those three.

James: Talk about some of the challenges and obstacles you and your coaching staff has encountered putting this group together.

Coach Montalto: It's always hard when you have a majority of new faces in the dugout. With myself and the three sophomores being the only ones from last year, our biggest challenge has been to become a family. I believe this team has what it takes to mesh together and become a strong unit, it just needs to be done.

James: Can you give us a few players that you think can break out and have a big performance this weekend versus Snow College.

Coach Montalto: I think Mackenzie McBride is going to transition her performance at the plate from last weekend into this weekend. She batted .700 this past weekend and she is still wanting to get better. Kara Simpson has been making some great plays in the outfield as well as coming up big at the plate for us. I am excited to see Chandie Perez continue to grow in our line up and do big things for us. You'll see some differences this weekend on where she is placed in the line but that is due to the fact that she is a consistent batter who makes contact. On the defensive side of things, Emily Guthrie has done a great job at first base for us. She's saved several off throws and still managed to get the out. Most of the time first base goes unnoticed, but she has defiantly saved us with her willingness to come off the bag, catch a wild throw and still tag the runner out.  

James: Do you have the starting pitching rotation set for this weekend?

Coach Montalto: I think we're going to start with Jaycie on the mound game one. My goal is that both pitchers take two games each and go the distance in both. I know they have it in them to get it done, they just need to believe in themselves.  


Thanks Coach, and as always good luck.  

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