Coach Helms Q&A
"We always say championships are not won in January or February, but the road to win a championship is paved in those months. In baseball, it is vital to be playing the best you can going in to the tournament."
Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
A: Our goal is always a National Championship, however, the key to that is to constantly progress throughout the season. We always say championships are not won in January or February, but the road to win a championship is paved in those months. In baseball, it is vital to be playing the best you can going in to the tournament.
Q: What are you looking to improve on from last season? Last season record?
A: We finished last season 37-17, but had a disappointing showing in the tournament. We have to improve on our consistency of play and work to be strong and disciplined at the end of the season.
Q: What are the team goals for the program this year?
A: Academically we want to excel in the classroom first and foremost. We want to see those who are eligible for graduation this year walk across that stage with their diploma. As for the team performance, we have to develop a "team first" mindset and play with toughness.
Q: How many returning sophomores? How many transfers? How many incoming freshmen?
A: We have eleven returning sophomores, ten transfers, and nine freshmen. Most of the returners are pitchers, so we need the new transfers and freshmen to step up and contribute immediately.
Q: Who do you see as the leaders within the program?
A: The following players are expected to be leaders.
Hollon Brock (Catcher), Jake Devalk (Pitcher), Drew Hurst (Pitcher), Streed Crooms (Pitcher/Infielder), Ben Moseley (Pitcher/Infielder)
We need these guys to be sophomore leaders not just with their performance, but in guiding the new guys toward our program expectations and traditions.
Q: Which returning player(s) have improved and impressed you the most so far?
A: Between fall and early spring practices, the returning players who stand out the most in their progressions from last season are Streed Crooms, Ben Moseley, and Jake Devalk. We need to get our freshmen and transfers playing time early since they will play an important role in our team success.
Q: What freshman player has impressed you the most so far? What do you see as his/her role on the team this year?
A: Cody Walsh was very impressive in the fall. A fall injury to his non-throwing shoulder was a set back that prevented him from completing the fall, but he has already been partially released for limited practice. If his recovery continues to go well, we expect him to be a contributor on the mound and in the lineup.
Q: Anything else you would like to add or include? What are you most excited about? Any new challenges or improvements this year (Ex. Conference/facility/rules etc…)?
A: Starting conference play in February will be a challenge. I don't think any coach would feel they are "ready" that early, but that's the challenge we have with the schedule. Hopefully the weather allows us to get in as many non-conference games in January and early February as possible.
I think our pitching depth is as good as it has been in several years so we are excited about that. The transfers and freshmen seem to have bought in to the culture we expect and implement.
Q: What areas do you feel the team will be strong? What areas need the most improvement throughout the season as it stands right now?
A: This team has shown great togetherness but we have to improve our competitiveness in all areas.