By James Hernandez

James: Despite dropping four games this weekend in Rangely, the team had a lead in each contest. What does the team need to do in order to improve upon its end of game success?

Coach Montalto: The team needs to understand that they cannot become complacent with the amount of runs we score. Every team we play against is going to score runs against us, it's the game of softball. What we need to focus on is how many runs we are going to put up. If they score three then we need to score four; winning every inning is extremely important for us right now. In the first game we came out and put six runs up and then coasted the rest of the way and that is something we do not have the luxury of doing.

James: Can you talk about being on the road for three consecutive weekends and how this young team has been affected by all the recent travel?

Coach Montalto: Traveling three straight weekends in a row is tough on the body and mind for everyone involved. I've stressed over the past three weeks how we need to make sure we are getting enough rest when we can as well as taking care of our bodies. It also takes a toll on studies and one thing I've noticed is the commitment level this team is putting in towards the class room. On the bus as well as in the hotel they are studying and catching up on their class work. From a softball stand point you are facing different elements than what we are used to here in Las Vegas and we definitely saw that in Rangely this past weekend. For three straight innings my defense was playing in a down poor rain and it will not be any better this weekend. We need to make sure that we are not letting the elements get into our mental aspect of the game.

James: Chelsea Perez missed all four games this weekend with an injury. How is her injury progressing and how important is she to the team both defensively and as a team leader?

Coach Montalto: Chelsea Perez is very important to this team when it comes to being a sound defensive player as well as a leader. Her experience and her ability to keep the team together is what every coach needs to have on the field. She is able to play but with limitations right now. Her role has shifted but she still brings her leadership every practice and every game. During those innings that the defense was in the rain she made sure that she was in the opening of the dug out right there with them. Quoting her, "if my team is going to be in the rain, so am I". That's something you can't teach. I look forward to her being fully back in her role.

James: After dropping four games to the Badgers earlier this season, what adjustments does the team need to make in order to have a more successful series the second time around?

Coach Montalto: We need to stay disciplined at the plate this go around. They have a pitcher who threw a lot of balls in the upper part of the zone against us. By eliminating that part of the zone we give ourselves a chance to work the pitcher deeper in the count and hit our pitch. On defense we need to continue to focus on securing outs and not giving them more than what they earn.

James: The team is being outscored 263-171 this season, what does the team need to do offensively over the final 16 games and into the postseason in order to generate more offense and scoring opportunities?

Coach Montalto: We need to simplify what we are doing at the plate and buy into the game plan we have set for that game. Right now we have a lot of girls who are trying to hit the long ball or trying too hard to even get on base. We just need to focus on being table setters and table clearers.

James: Shonda Badayos had a nice weekend ( 1 R, 2 H, 4 RBI) with the bat. How valuable is it to have your wins leader (7) also tied for fourth on the team with 16 RBI?

Coach Montalto: I think it's a great thing having a pitcher who can hit as well as Shonda can. You saw it last year with Megan Mello as well. Shonda is a strong hitter who is getting comfortable with her swing and trusting it. She's getting herself to the point where I constantly need her in the lineup even when she is not pitching. It also opens up the Flex position and allows for other DP's options when she is pitching.

James: Talk a little about the growth and improvement of freshman Mackenzie McBride and team RBI leader Chandie Perez from the beginning of the season up to now.

Coach Montalto: Both of these young ladies have come a long way from the beginning of the year. Mackenzie is very knowledgeable about the game and what she needs to do while at the plate. She has one of the best eyes in the SWAC and that helps tremendously. By placing her in the three hole in the lineup I know she'll either hit the first two girls in or even draw a walk and that is huge. Chandie is a great ball player. She put a lot of pressure on herself in the beginning of the year and with her starting to relax a little bit more she's seeing the swing she wants to have come into play. She's also settled down in the box by staying disciplined which is allowing her to go deeper in the count and hit the pitch she wants to hit. 

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

Coach Montalto: Snow is batting very well right now. They are coming off of four losses to SLCC and will be hungry for some wins. We're going to get their best game each outing so we need to be ready for it. Their pitching is hittable so as an offensive staff we need to stay disciplined and capitalize every inning.


Thanks Coach, and as always good luck.  

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