University of North Carolina Athletics
Coach Mike Fox's Postgame Quotes
February 26, 2000 | Baseball
Feb. 26, 2000
TarHeelBlue: Your team turned five double plays today. Would you comment
on you team's defensive play?
Coach Fox: "I've said from the very beginning that I think we had the
capability to be a good defensive team. We have to have infielders out there who
can just pick the ball up off the ground and make the routine play.
"Chris (Elmore) made a couple of good pitches and we got some ground balls.
You know you got the other team with men on first and second and nobody out,
early in the game, they (Seton Hall) can hurt you, because they
are a very dangerous team offensively. One through nine, they all swing the
bat well. I'm very impressed with them.
"Double plays help you so much. They sort of demoralize the other team.
"Greenberg made a great one early yesterday (after a sensational
running catch to deep center field). It was unorthodox, but boy was
it a big one."
TarHeelBlue: Please comment on the play of your freshmen so far.
Coach Fox: "Since day one a couple of them have stepped up and
played really well. They haven't played like freshmen.
"However, I'm going to withhold judgement, because we haven't been to
Georgia Tech or Charlottesville or any road ACC game. Those are a little
different scenario.
"But I do like their savvy. They've stepped in and done some nice things.
They haven't made critical mistakes to hurt us, they've stepped in and
helped us. I hope they're gaining some confidence, because they will hit
periods when things will be tough on them."
TarHeelBlue: What about the overall play of the team so far this year?
Coach Fox: "Obviously we're pleased with where we are. I told my guys
before the game you've got to be enjoying this and having fun. It doesn't come
along very often, try not to take these wins for granted.
"When we get beat I want it to be because the other team out plays us, not because
we get complacent. I'm going to do everything I can do to make sure we don't get
complacent and are ready to play every day.
"We better not tomorrow, because they're throwing their best guy, (Damon) Ponce
de Leon. He was 7-1 last year, and we're throwing a freshman in Scott Autrey.
"We better be ready. They've been beating the ball to death."
