By James Hernandez

James: Last time the team played SLCC they only managed to score two runs in the series. Despite the elite arms the Bruins feature what does the team need to do in order to create more scoring opportunities?

Coach Montalto: With solid pitching like we will see this weekend our approach will need to change. The past three weekends we have had the approach of staying disciplined and making the pitcher go deep in the count. This weekend we will need to be aggressive right away and hit early. Last series against SLCC we had a lot of ground balls so our game plan will need to be adjusted as well. Our goal is compete with them every single pitch and have short term memory.

James: Mackenzie McBride's 5 RBI in the series finale at Snow College last weekend was the most by any Lady Coyote in a game this season. In your opinion is it the top offensive performance of the year so far?

Coach Montalto: Mackenzie did an outstanding job in the final game against Snow College. She was in her zone and played to her strength. When I recruited her I knew she would be a top hitter for us and she is starting to live up to that. I think throughout the year each player has showed up at some point for us, but Mackenzie is making a name for herself. I do believe it was a great outing for her and I hope it transfers into this weekend.

James: Can you provide our readers with a brief scouting report of this weekend's opponent, the 4th ranked Salt Lake Community College Bruins?

Coach Montalto:  Salt Lake is a very strong program. They have speed as well as power, not to mention their pitching is the best in the conference. It's going to be a mental battle for us this weekend competing against the No. 4 team in the nation, but I believe this team is up for the challenge. Coach Bennett is very aggressive on the base path and will try and take as many bases as she can. Our defense is going to need to be ready for that and make sure we are securing outs.

James: What can this young group of Coyotes learn from competing against a team as complete and talented as Salt Lake?

Coach Montalto: I think the biggest thing we will learn from both series against SLCC is how to never give up and to compete every pitch. I also think it is teaching the players is the "conference rivalries" that every college program has. It's always a good thing to hear your players talk about how they want to go out there and show their opponent what they are made of and how they are going to work hard each out. We've have two solid weeks of practice due to their change of mentality.

James: Give us a player or two that you feel are primed and ready for a big weekend.

Coach Montalto: I think Justin Garganese is going to have an outstanding weekend against Salt Lake Community College. She worked her way out of her slump this past weekend against Snow, and I saw her approach change and become more mature with each at bat. The speed that Salt Lake will bring is more to Justin's liking as well. Emily Guthrie also had a great weekend against Snow College, so I believe if she stays within herself she will do some damage.

James: What are the keys to having a successful and competitive weekend against one of the top team's in all of Junior College?

Coach Montalto:

1. Securing outs
2. Having short term memory both at the plate and on defense
3. Winning each at bat
4. Having a "next pitch, next play, next out" mentality.

James: How meaningful is the weekend to you and the team as we honor the Coyote faithful on Friday with "Fan Appreciation Day" and follow it up with "Breast Cancer Awareness Day" on Saturday?

Coach Montalto: I think it's awesome that we are having a Fan Appreciation Day this weekend. Our fans are very loyal, have been all year so it is good to know that we will be showing our appreciation for them. Having a Breast Cancer Awareness game is always important to have. It reminds the players that there are bigger things happening than just a missed pitch or a bad at bat. It tends to humble players and remind them to live in the moment. The more this program can help with awareness games like this the better.

Thanks Coach, and as always good luck.  

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