University of North Carolina Athletics
Coach Mike Fox Post-Game Quotes
February 25, 2001 | Baseball
Feb. 25, 2001
Q: Eight different players scored one run apiece today. Could you comment on that?
Coach Fox: "Yes, we did get contributions from a lot of guys, up and down the lineup. We didn't want to get behind early, but this team has a knack for not fighting themselves, and we got back in the game fairly quickly.
"On a day like today, when you don't know if you'll get the entire game in or not, you don't want to get behind early. I asked them to play with a sense of urgency after we got behind in case the rain shortened the game.
"Both teams left a lot of men on base today, and you've got to give them credit for battling back to tie the game.
"It was a great win for us. Seton Hall's got a good team."
Q: Scott Senatore has struggled some. Why did you go to him today in relief?
Coach Fox: "We pitched him in relief on Friday, and we wanted to get him back out there today to get his confidence back. One of the best things you can do for a guy is to run him back in there and let him regain his confidence.
"I thought his mentality was good today, and he made some great pitches. If he had been around the plate on that guy he walked, I would have left him in there to face those lefthanders.
"I thought he was a little more intense today and made some great pitches when he had to. He should have gained some confidence from this."
Q: Would you comment on Jason Howell's pitching of late?
Coach Fox: "He has kind of fallen in that role of closer for us, along with Whitley Benson. It's great to have a lefty and a righty in that role.
"Jason's a tough battler and is very competitive. That was a great strikeout he got on Leighton in the eighth inning. He's pitched well for us so far.
"He's a senior, he's been around a lot. He's been in those tough situations before. But, I would have felt comfortable bringing Whitley in. If their last batter had gotten on, I probably would have brought him in since they would have had a righty up next."
Q: Ralph Roberts had a good game today.
Coach Fox: "Yea, we moved him to the eight hole today. We thought he swung at a lot of bad pitches yesterday and basically got himself out, and we talked to him a little bit about it.
"He's just got to calm down a little bit and take what the other team will give you. He should have walked two or three times yesterday instead of strike out.
"But, that's how you learn. He hit the ball hard three times today."
Q: How did the wet conditions affect your strategy?
Coach Fox: "You know your going to send a runner home from second on a hit to the outfield, because you know the balls just going to die.
"We just tell our guys not to let the field be a factor. You try not to move your feet as fast as you normally do, and that's hard for the guys to do because you train them to move their feet fast.
"You've also got to hold on to the ball a little longer when you pick it up, because it's going to be wet.
"I thought Ryan Blake was outstanding behind the plate today. He stopped a lot of balls, plus he made a huge play in the ninth when he threw the runner out at second on the sacrifice bunt attempt.
"This team is coming together. The more wins we get, the more confident the team is becoming. I hope we'll finish February on a good note.
"This was a good weekend for us. I'm still learning about this team, and so is our coaching staff.
"Hopefully the guys are also learning, both from the mistakes they make and the good things they do.
"It's a long haul for us. The most important games are in May, and it's only February. When I get too excited, all I have to do is look down the road and see all those ACC teams on the schedule."
