As the only (at least it feels that way) IDS beat writer not enjoying the warm weather and everything else involved with Spring Break, I was able to talk with Coach Smith after Tuesday's game with Jacksonville St. and here is a few of the highlights of what he had to say about his team. The Hoosiers are 3-1 after the first four games with four remaining in the Florida swing.
Smith on the pitching staff having all four starters go at least six innings in each of their starts, including a complete game from freshman Brian Korte against Pittsburgh.
"The pitching has been very solid. Outside of maybe one baseball game it has been very consistent. It will be tested in the next few days as we get into the depths of our pitching staff. They have done their job time and time again, and that is to keep your team in it and give them a chance to win."
On the offensive production (only scored four runs in the first 25 innings in Florida, including being shut out against Central Michigan).
"The offense is just not clicking right now. What we are trying to look at right now is 'what's going to play.' As we look at the rest of the season, I'm not so sure that the big bopper--strike out a bunch and then run into the three-run homer-- just isn't happening. What we have to find is, a group of guys that will give you quality at-bats, move the baseball and make the defense make a play on you. We are not hitting the three-run homer or the back-to-back doubles like we used to so we are going to continue to search and find the lineup that gives us nine quality at-bats."
On the outlook of the final four games on the Spring Break trip and what he is looking for out of the Hoosiers.
"The pitching is solid but as I said earlier, I am really concerned with where we are offensively. I think if we can get more focused and more disciplined in our approaches at the place than we will continue to have success. We got lucky (against Jacksonville St.) but a win is a win and I'm not going to take anything away from that. 3-1 we will take it but we have a lot of improving to do before we go home."
