University of North Carolina Athletics
Coach Mike Fox Addresses The Media
May 24, 2000 | Baseball
May 24, 2000
Media: Could you please comment on Adam Greenberg's development this year?
Coach Fox: "What we noticed first about Adam was his defense. We worked a lot on defense in the fall, and his foot speed really caught our attention. After a few scrimmages, his total package began to stand out. He scrimmaged against some of our frontline guys and was able to compete and more than hold his own.
"His mental and physical toughness have also stood out. He's been able to withstand the grind of the season. He's never really hit a bad dip in his game like a lot of young guys do."
Media: Will playing in a tough league like the ACC, where you had quite a few close, tough losses, help you in postseason play?
Coach Fox: "I think it should help us. I know our players will look at it that way. You're concerned your players will think they can't win the close ones, but I don't think our players look at it that way. They know we're right there, and maybe it's our turn to win a weekend series.
"I still think they, and our coaches, firmly believe we can get it done."
Media: What's the key to turning those tough losses into wins?
Coach Fox: "You have to execute late in the games, and we've got to battle a little better at the plate. You've got to get some two-out hits. Somebody's got to step up big at the plate in a key situation.
"The key is to relax in those situations. I think we've played good defense, and our pitching has been very solid.
"Our key is to go to New Jersey and step up big against everybody's number one and two pitchers and score some runs. We can't scatter nine or ten hits. I'd like to see us get some hits in bunches."
Media: Does it make it any different playing a team (Penn St.) that you've played before?
Coach Fox: "Penn St. will be an entirely different team than the one we saw in February. We played them in their first two games of the season.
"Mentally, they know they're right there with us and are certainly capable of beating us. I think our players know it doesn't matter that we beat them twice before. You can forget all that now."
Media: Ideally, how would you like your pitching rotation to work out this weekend?
Coach Fox: "We haven't totally decided. Ryan Snare will throw on Friday, then probably Chris Elmore and then Eric Henderson. We're going to stay with that same rotation and really not change anything."
Media: What do you feel your chances are to win this regional?
Coach Fox: "Well, I think we have a chance to win this regional. I think if we play well and with confidence, and get some big hits when the game's on the line, we have a chance to win.
"I know Rutgers is an outstanding team, and Penn St. has won over 40 games, but I like our chances as much as anybody else's."
Media: Should you win your regional, and Arizona St. stumble in its regional, have you made a bid to host a Super Regional?
Coach Fox: "I know we have put in a bid to host, so it is a possibility. Our university did put in a bid, but let's don't look ahead."
Media: You've traveled a lot this year. Are you happy with going to Rutgers?
Coach Fox: "I'm glad we're on the East coast. Folks won't have to stay up so late listening to it on the radio, or tracking it on TarHeelBlue.
"I'm all for short flights. If I had a preference, I'd rather get on a bus for a short trip. But it's near New York City, and my wife and children are going to go.
"I'm just glad we're going somewhere. There's only 64 teams that have that opportunity. You've got to just go play wherever they send you."
Media: Could you comment on Chad Prosser's play at shortstop?
Coach Fox: "Chad has been very, very good at short. We recruited him all along as a shortstop. We told him last summer he could play shortstop at the Division I level. I think some people questioned that because of his size, but he's solidified our infield defense.
"Everybody knows how good Clay (Hooper) is over at third, and Chad's playing with a lot of confidence beside him. He's made a lot of great plays."
Media: Have the seedings the ACC received (three firsts and two seconds) backed up what the coaches in this league have said all year about how good the league is from top to bottom?
Coach Fox: "I think so. Our seeds are no surprise, because those are the teams we've been battling all year. (Laughing) It's nothing we took any pleasure in, saying 'see, that's why we finished 12-12'.
"It's both a great league and a fun league. It keeps you on your toes and working hard."
Media: Is the league is so strong that all five teams could advance?
Coach Fox: "I won't say it could happen easily, but it could happen. People that follow college baseball know that.
"But on the other hand, all five of us could lose out and not advance. That's the parity of college baseball today. It's a very fickle, fragile game. One guy having a hot day on the mound can change everything.
"We're playing a team that led the nation in pitching, but if Ryan goes out there and pitches like he's capable of pitching, all those numbers don't really mean anything. Plus, the same can go with their pitcher against us."
Media: Are you expecting Tyrell Godwin to play?
Coach Fox: "We're expecting Tyrell to play. He's got a couple more days to heal up and get some treatment.
"The way I look at it is if Tyrell, speedwise, is 80%, that's like another guy being at 95%.
"We need him to hit. I'm not that concerned about his defense, if we have to we'll play him at DH.
"This may be a last chance for him. I think he kind of looks at it that way. He's just going to have to bite the bullet and go. We're playing no holds barred here. I think he'll do everything he can to get ready and help us win."
Media: Your team started fast last year, then stumbled, then had a chance in the regional. Do you think your team will draw on that experience this year?
Coach Fox: "I think they kind of sense that. You have to know that when you have a lot of guys who were in it last year, it should help us this year.
"We've got a large class of seniors, and I hope deep down that helps us. When you've got seven guys who are coming out here to practice, and they know that time's dwindling, they are going to try to get it done.
"I don't have to tell them that each practice may be their last one on this field, because they know that. That's a pretty powerful motivating tool. They want to keep it going as long as they possibly can.
"It's not a thing now of saying the right thing, or being this great motivator, it's a matter of just getting your players some rest, keeping them healthy and keeping them confident.
"We're playing for the big prize now, that should be enough."
