BP with DLoe

Recently, the B2R had a chance to sit down with Coach Darin Loe to talk Bearcat Baseball and the 2012 season.  Here are his responses:

B2R - With time to reflect, your thoughts how fall practice went?

DL - I thought we had an outstanding fall and accomplished what we set out to do.  Due to a tremendous recruiting class and strong returners fighting for playing time, the competition at positions was tremendous.  That alone made us better as a team and forced our players to deal with some of the adversity that occurs once we start a spring season.  We are still needing to make a number of decisions on travel squad, pitching rotation, and starting line-up, but that is due to two or even three quality guys at every position that could be the starter.  That is what is going to make us better when the spring gets here.

B2R - Name 3 unsuspected surprises coming from fall ball.

DL - On the pitching side, Jace Anderson really impressed me.  I knew he had quality stuff, but he led our pitching staff this fall and will be a key contributor in the spring.  Also, Sean Brady has fought his way through various injuries early in his career and is finally healthy for his final season.  One of those success stories who had done all the right things and worked his way into time on the mound.  Sean ended second behind Jace Anderson statistically after the fall season.

B2R - Name 3 areas of concern from fall ball.

DL - I'm a coach, Bob.  I'm worry about everything.  Second, I'd like to see guys get healthy and be at 100% by February 17th.  Last, the transformation of this team from a bunch of guys battling for positions to a cohesive unit that puts winning ahead of all other factors.  I believe that will take care of itself due to the great character of the players in our program.

B2R - How's the outfield looking for the Spring 2012 season?  A lot of guys in the mix?

DL - We will play the best and possibly a rotation of hottest guys.  In Left Field we can go with Kretzer or Tyler Durant.  In Center Field we can go to Singleton or Abernathy.  Jon Pomatto may have the best tools that I have ever had at Northwest with the ability to throw out runners at any base.  We will play as many outfielders as we need to make us successful.  We also have a number of infielders we can put in the outfield if we need to get their bat in the lineup.

B2R - How is the depth at Catcher heading into this Spring?  Anybody able to spell Lando this season and contribute like the 2009 rotation of Lando/Kreed Kurtz as catcher/DH?

DL - The addition of quality catching has really pushed Lando and he thrived with the pressure.  He is a leader behind the plate and a guy that we will really look to in his senior year.  Right on his heels are Travis Green who works hard every day on his catching and hitting skills and Luke Lawyer who has tremendous skills as a redshirted freshman.  I would like to give Lando a break when needed, and the addition of Green and Lawyer will allow us to do so when the situation dictates.

B2R - How's the weekend rotation picture heading into February?

DL - We still have a lot of questions and health is yet to be determined.  Chase Anderson and Josh Parrish did a great job for us last year and we cannot overlook what they did in a full MIAA season.  Jace Anderson is a guy we need to get a lot of innings.  We do have an unknown pitcher who will join us at semester:  Marcus Garrett from Santa Ana CC in California, a 6'3" RHP who was a first team All Conference performer in one of the premier JC conferences in California.  Time will tell where he will fit into the mix.

B2R - How's the infield looking?

DL - Eric Swain is the one guy who proved that he needed to be on the field every day.  A transfer from Iowa Central CC, Eric led our team in hitting and won the job at Shortstop.  He can play any of the infield positions so if a better shortstop emerges (Thornton, Mapes, or Haug) we have the ability to move him around.  Eric McGlauflin has really taken huge steps in his play at 3B and at the plate and we expect good things from him.  Our returning leading hitter Cam Bedard can find himself at 2B with quality players making a push right behind him.  First base will come down to returning starter Geno DeAngelis or Garber.  Another guy that has great power potential at the plate is JJ Bacarri who we will need to get in the lineup somehow.

We have quality players at every position:  3B McGlauflin/Paterson/Bacarri, SS/2B - Swain/Mapes/Thornton/Bedard/Haug, 1B - DeAngelis/Garber, C - Eckhardt/Green/Lawyer.

B2R - Who are some of the new guys looking at serious playing time in 2012?

DL - Swain, Durant, Pomatto, Abernathy, Jace Anderson...more are possible.

B2R - Thank you for time, Coach.

DL - Thanks Bob.

Go Cats!!

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