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College of Southern Nevada Coyotes

Baseball Sports Information Director

On Deck with Coach Garritano Week 5


By James Hernandez 

James: Give our readers a little insight to the intensity of the rivalry that exists between CSN and Western Nevada.

Coach Garritano: I know this rivalry has always been a very fun weekend.  Generally you have two teams that are playing very good baseball going at it.  This year is no different with them coming down here very hot on the road.  They have played a bunch on the road lately so they are probably pretty darn comfortable traveling yet another week.

James: Over the years you and Western head coach D.J. Whittimore have taken part in some very intense battles. How much fun is for you personally to go against a coach like him?

Coach Garritano: It is a pleasure coaching in the opposite of DJ. We have had lots of tight games and each series is generally the best series of the season.  He has done a remarkable job with WNC since their first year.  The bottom line is that it is CSN vs. WNC, not Nick Garritano vs. DJ Whittemore.

James: How important is it to have a good showing versus Western in order to keep the local southern Nevada recruits home?

Coach Garritano: It has always been a priority to play well versus Western Nevada not just because of the recruiting but in the W-L column most importantly.  You cannot afford to come to the park without your best physically and mentally when you play WNC.  They are very well coached and a super talented ball club. 

James: How impressive is it that we are halfway through the season and every starting position player is batting .300 or better?

Coach Garritano: It is really nice to see.  Our club has done a nice job of battling each and every pitch.  Grinding out at bats is a big part of their success.  We talk about competitive at bats and I believe we have had a lot of those up to this point.  We have to stay composed as hitters as the season wears on and bodies tire a little bit.  Take what we get and trust the next guy in the on deck circle.

James: Talk a little about the home field advantage Morse Stadium has provided for this team so far this season? (16-3 through 19 games played)

Coach Garritano:  I think most importantly, you have the hammer at the end of each ballgame if needed.  It is always nice to know you have a swinging chance when your club is hitting the ball well.  Playing at home also allows for home cooked meals, sleeping in your own bed and overall staying within a daily routine.

James: Can you highlight a player or two you feel is primed for a breakout weekend?

Coach Garritano: That is a tough question going into this weekend.  We will see many left handed arms so our lineup will be moving around a little bit. 

James: Can you provide our readers with a brief scouting report of this weekend's opponent the Western Nevada Wildcats?

Coach Garritano: Western Nevada will pitch the baseball very well.  They do not walk many guys and make you earn everything you get.  They have a very potent lineup, especially in the middle with Lichty and Peters.  Not taking anything away from their other guys but those two can hit it a long, long way and can change a game with one swing.
 
James: Do you have the pitching rotation set for this weekend?

Coach Garritano: We will stay with what we have been doing lately which means AJ Jones will take the ball in game 1 on Friday at 1:00 PM followed by Gabe Gonzalez in game 2 at approximately 3:30 PM.  On Saturday, Mikey York will start at 12:00 PM and we will wrap up the series with Sage Diehm at approximately 2:30 PM. 

James: What are the keys to having a winning weekend versus Western Nevada?

Coach Garritano: To be honest with you James, I truly believe that whatever pitching staff controls the others offense will win the series.  These two lineups are very similar.  Lots of thump in each one and both clubs will play small ball when needed.  We will have to pitch it better than we have all year to have a chance to win the series as their arms are very very good.  We are hoping to build off the momentum of our 4 game sweep at College of Southern Idaho last weekend.

James: Great job on your final 4 picks this week coach, 3 out of 4. Can you please give us your title game matchup and eventual national champion?

Coach Garritano: Oh boy, I can't change what my son predicted, so I will stay with Villanova winning the national championship beating North Carolina.  Good to see that two former UNLV coaches (Kruger and Wright) are in the Final Four.

Coach Garritano: We need as many fans out to the park as possible this weekend as this is a control series for the conference standings as your Coyotes come in at 14-2 in conference and WNC is 1 game back at 13-3.  Should be a great weekend and a great healthy rivalry series.  Go Coyotes!!

Thanks Coach, and as always good luck!

For more information and all the latest up-to-date news on CSN Baseball please log on to www.csncoyotes.com






 
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Players Mentioned

Gabe Gonzalez

#21 Gabe Gonzalez

RHP
6' 5"
Sophomore
R/R
Mikey York

#7 Mikey York

RHP
6' 2"
Freshman
R/R
Sage Diehm

#18 Sage Diehm

LHP
6' 0"
Freshman
L/L

Players Mentioned

Gabe Gonzalez

#21 Gabe Gonzalez

6' 5"
Sophomore
R/R
RHP
Mikey York

#7 Mikey York

6' 2"
Freshman
R/R
RHP
Sage Diehm

#18 Sage Diehm

6' 0"
Freshman
L/L
LHP