Quotes From Diamond Heels' Media Day

UNC Head Coach Scott Forbes and selected Diamond Heels' student-athletes participated in the team's annual media day at Boshamer Stadium on Thursday. Here is some of what they had to say:

UNC Head Coach Scott Forbes

On preseason expectations
"We want those expectations. We were talking about it the other day that you want to coach somewhere where you had those expectations. When you coach at the University of North Carolina, every sport has those expectations. We had those expectations last year, everybody else just didn't."

On Vance Honeycutt's preseason recognition
"Anytime you had that type of year, you're going to be talked about and you're going to have those expectations. Give Vance credit, he's a worker and I feel like he's an even better player (this year). That doesn't mean in baseball your numbers on paper wind up being the same, because numbers can be a little bit misleading."

"At the end of the day, I feel like Vance is stronger, he's faster, he's a smarter player. And the good thing for Vance is he's surrounded by some other really good players. So that takes some of the pressure off him. He just happens to get the extra attention because he hit 25 home runs and stole 29 bases."

"I'm just thankful he's on our team and has those expectations because I wouldn't want to be playing against him."

On having 12 new pitchers
"Our pitchers did a phenomenal job last year, but we still were never comfortable with our pitching depth from top to bottom. We're more comfortable with it and haven't played a single game. I feel like we have more options and a deeper level of talent on the mound."

"I'm excited to see how that shakes out and how we figure out exactly who's going to be the starters and who's going to be the back-end guys. Obviously, losing Palermo at the back end is something we have to figure out as quick as we can, but sometimes that takes a little bit of time."

On right-handed pitcher Max Carlson
"He's a big-game pitcher, and he got better as you all saw. What we've challenged Max with is pitch deeper. If you're going to pitch for us on Friday, five innings is great, but we need seven innings and he's worked hard to get in better shape. But he's got what it takes, and we saw that at the end."

Junior Max Carlson
On working to go deeper into games
"I spent some time in the fall and over the winter break expanding my pitch arsenal, creating that third pitch to be a serviceable pitch, my slider. Coach Gaines, Coach Howell and I worked hard on that; utilizing that third pitch the best I can to help me get deeper into games."

On the depth of the pitching staff
"There's a lot of competition. Everyone is fighting for different roles. That's going to make whole staff better as a whole."

Junior Tomas Frick
On the parts of his game, he's been working to improve
"Definitely at the plate. I feel like I've learned a lot. I'm getting older, wiser. I know what I'm trying to do at the plate and not just going up there and get myself out at times. I have a plan and sticking with that."

On the 2023 team
"I feel like we have a good core group. I feel like we're going to pitch and defend well. We have so much depth that we can do some many things which I think will help us a lot."

Junior Mac Horvath
On chemistry within the team
"Last year when we went on that run, you could definitely feel the team chemistry that we had- not that we didn't have it at the beginning or when we were going through a rough patch – you really feel that everyone was bought in, everyone was pulling for each other, and I feel like we have that chemistry now before the season starts."

On his cold starts and hot finishes as the plate
"I've thought about it, but it's not a worry of mine. This being my third year, I've learned a lot in the previous two years. Going through a slow start and struggling can only help you. Knowing that I'm not going to get a hit every time or I may go 0 for 10 at some point, but I know not to worry about it. If I'm confident and stay positive everything will work out."

Sophomore Vance Honeycutt
On handling preseason expectations
"It can make you feel good, but at the end of the day, you're focused on one thing and that's just getting better every single day. You just go out there every single day during the year and just get a win for the team. I just try to stay level-headed, stay with the process and keep going every single day."

On becoming a leader on the team
"Another year of experience brings familiarity and I'm able to help the guys that are new and, in my shoes, last year. You want to lead anyway you can whether that be vocal or by example."

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University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Max Carlson

Tomas Frick

Vance Honeycutt

Mac Horvath

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