BP with DLoe

BP with DLoe

Maryville, Mo. - The college baseball season is right around the corner for the Bearcats.  The B2R sat down with Northwest Missouri State's baseball Head Coach Darin Loe to discuss his thoughts on the upcoming season.

This is the 1st installment of a 3-part interview.

B2R - "How do you feel about the changes made last year to the baseball eliminating the raised seams?  Did that improve offensive production in the college game?  Did that speed up the pace of the college game?"

DLoe - "Although offensive numbers were up in our league, I don't see it as being due to the baseball.  This is just a very offensive league.  Our pitchers actually liked the flat seam baseball better due to the fact it is easier on their fingers and not as easy to develop a blister."

B2R - "Overall, your general thoughts how fall practice went for the team?"

DLoe - "We had a great fall and it is due to the type of guys we have in the program.  I love this team.  They come to work every day to get better and to make their teammates around them better as well.  This group of guys has a tremendous future ahead of them and I am enjoying having the opportunity to coach them."

B2R - "Your starting outfield from 2015 returns in Greenslade in LF, Fort in CF, and Wulff in RF, has anybody unseated the incumbents heading into spring practice?  If so, who?  Besides Aaron Barratt, who else is challenging for playing time in the outfield in 2016?"

DLoe - "I think those are the four guys that will see the majority of the time in the outfield.  We also have James Holler, Nick Howard, and Kevin Handzlik who could see time out there to get their bats in the lineup.  I think this year's outfield is one of the top groups of guys who can go get the ball and are all tremendous throwers as well."

B2R - "A lot of players battled for playing time at third base in 2015.  Did anybody separate themselves from the others for the starting third base job heading into Spring 2016 practice?"

DLoe - "I see Luke Wilkinson and Nick Howard at third with the ability to move Nikko Pablo and Ozzie Adams over there if needed.  Luke swung the bat as well as anybody this fall and is coming into his own as an offensive player."

B2R - "Nick Gotta came in with a big splash in 2015 as your starting shortstop.  Will Gotta continue to start at shortstop in 2016?"

DLoe - "Nick is our leader in the middle infield and will start at shortstop.  With Kevin Handzlik backing him up."

B2R - "First base has an opening for the starter position after Steven Garber graduated last spring.  Who are the leading candidates to earn the starting first base job heading into 2016 spring practice?"

DLoe - With Garber gone after starting for four years, we will have to put a new name in the first base line.  James Holler has looked good over there and is swinging the bat well.  We also have Nick Howard and C/1B transfer Jake Lewis who has also played well over there.  May be a position we can play left/right matchup and the hottest guy at the plate."

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Regularly check the B2R for continuing updates with its exclusive interview with Head Coach Darin Loe.  Northwest Missouri State starts its spring semester on or about January 11, 2016.  The Bearcats baseball team's first game is February 6, 2016, when they travel to Memphis, Tennessee, to take on Christian Brothers University.  First pitch is set for 1pm.

Go Cats!!

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