By James Hernandez

James: How severe is the foot injury to centerfielder Maggie Manwarren, and how much time will she potentially miss?

Coach Montalto: In regards to her actual injury, I am choosing to keep those details in staff. Maggie Manwarren is the type of player that is going to do whatever it takes to get herself back on the field. I expect to see her out there game one this weekend against Salt lake.

James: What are some areas you would like to see the team improve upon as they head to Salt Lake for a matchup with the SWAC co-leader?

Coach Montalto: I would love to see the team get stronger mentally this weekend. It is going to be a tough weekend, facing the No. 5 team in the nation so the mental aspect of the game is really going to come into play. Their "bounce back" as well as their in game mental adjustments will be something I am going to need to stay on top of this weekend.

James: Can you provide the readers with a brief scouting report on the Coyotes upcoming opponent this weekend the SLCC Bruins?

Coach Montalto: The Bruins have always been a solid squad and they are very established in where they are with their program. From what I can tell from their roster they are returning some solid athletes from last year and have nine sophomores. Their experience will help them throughout the year. What I want from the Coyotes this weekend is to come out and not worry about what name is on the jersey or who may be in the batter's box. We need to match their intensity every inning, every pitch.

James: Will you look make any changes to the starting lineup or batting order this weekend to try and generate more scoring opportunities? 

Coach Montalto: When you look at the all-around picture, you want to play the players who are producing. I think up to this point we have done just that. Do I think some changes need to be made in certain positions? Yes, and those changes will be made when making the lineup. I also think certain players are lacking the confidence they need to produce in those certain situations. I trust my bench as much as I trust my starting nine and if a situation calls for my hitter who's on the bench to come in and get the job done, then she'll get put in. It boils down to confidence and the player trusting themselves to score those runners or get the lead off hit we need.

James: How difficult was it this past weekend to find a consistent leadoff threat without Maggie in the lineup? Who can we expect to see in that spot while she is out?

Coach Montalto: It's always difficult to replace a consistent leadoff hitter, as you saw this weekend we had three different players in that role. In the second game on Friday, Anysa Calderon did a great job getting herself on for the team, but having someone who can look at that role every single game and step up is hard to groom in a span of four games. If Maggie cannot play this weekend we're going to have our most consistent contact hitter in that role. I believe Jordan Menke would fit the bill this weekend because she has the speed, can lay down a bunt as well as hit a gap ball.

James: Through 17 games this season the team has committed a total of 38 errors. Is that a product of growing pains and new teammates learning to play together or something more? 

Coach Montalto: I believe the 38 errors up to this point is a product of growing pains completely. When a player feels comfortable in her position the errors will start to decrease but that comfort comes from experience in game situations as well as being comfortable with the person next to them. Every one of my players can field 50+ balls that are rocketed at them during practice, but when it comes to having runners on, game on the line and the "having to make the play" mentality that comes from comfort and trust. The mental errors are what concerns me more so then the physical errors.

James: How do you keep the moral of such a young group positive during this current seven game losing streak?

Coach Montalto: Moral comes from several different outlets: coaches, teammates, self-motivation, self-performance etc. As a coaching staff we are finding ways to keep them focused on their goals and pushing forward. When you hit a seven game losing streak the moral for a team needs to come from the players as much as it does the coaching staff. The team knows we have a solid group of athletes, they see it every day during practice. Where they need to find their "pick me up" is from the person sitting next to them. From the player sharing the field with them. A player like Chelsea Perez or Tiana Tapuala for example. Both of those players are very good teammates in the thought process of finding a way to keep the team up. We've lacked a flair these past few games and if we find a way to bring it back it will be the extra push this team needs. From the outside looking in a change might not have been noticed from Friday into Saturday, but as a coach I listened to my team cheer louder for each other. It was a healthier vibe in the dugout as well as on the field. We need to keep pushing forward and not focus on the W or the L next to that game because that has been what is bringing us down every game. Walking onto the field saying "I hope we don't lose" instead of "we WILL win this game".

James: With seven everyday position players batting .300 or better is it just a matter of time before the flood gates open and this team is scoring more runs?

Coach Montalto: I know this team is going to break the roof off when it all finally clicks. We're going up there and taking solid hacks, and we have some very good batters in the lineup as well as on our bench. We just need the snow ball effect to be on the producing side of things.

James: Can we expect to see Shonda Badayos and Jaycie LeBaron continue to pitch the majority of the innings this weekend?
 
Coach Montalto: They are my two pitchers. I do have players who have pitched earlier in their carrier, but these two signed up for pitching to be their lifelong dream. They need to believe in themselves. Their last two games they pitched they both finished the game and found a way to keep the other teams number lower, all they need is more confidence in themselves as well as our offense to come out there and win the ball game. Shonda Badayos pitched our third game of the season against Scottsdale Community College. In looking back on that game, Scottsdale put up a lot of runs but a comment I remember Shonda saying half way through that game was "we're going to win this game no matter how many runs they put up. We have the bats to do it". The next few innings changed in our favor and we went out there and won that ball game. 


Thanks Coach, and as always good luck.  

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