• Roster
• |
• Schedule/Results
• |
• Stats
• |
• News
• |
• Archives

May 28, 2009

Head Coach Joe Sottolano
Opening statement: I want to thank everyone for being here and also for the hospitality that we've received so far. Obviously, The University of Texas has done this a couple times before. It's a first-class organization and we're privileged to be down here. We're excited to receive this seed and where we are and to be in such a high-end facility. We recruit heavily in Texas. We have a lot of support in Texas. Obviously, there's a strong military base and have experienced that since we've been here. We're bringing down an energetic club that's excited about the opportunity, and they're looking forward to the challenges that await us.

On the Army program: I think every program has things they're strong in and things they have to overcome. We hear all the time about potential limitations. I don't know if that's necessarily true. I think we have a lot of things we have to offer. Obviously, one of the nice things about West Point is it really cuts out a lot of people. The biggest thing I believe we fight is perception. I think once people realize exactly what West Point is, what it entails and the type of individuals that go there and represent it, then we seem to have a real strong interest. We go about our business the same way as everyone else in terms of recruiting and running an organization and program. We try to get the country's best to come. We get the upmost as far as character is concerned but also in playing ability. Obviously, we all understand what these young men understand but while they're down here they want to be looked at and perceived as great, talented and hard-working baseball players.

On Army's hitting: It's certainly one of the better hitting teams we've had. There's no question about that. I like to think of ourselves as a well-rounded club. I don't think any club gets to this point unless you can do all the important things like pitch, play defense and hit. Hitting has been a strong suit for us, but ultimately what wins championships is pitching and defense. 

Sophomore 1B/RHP Kevin McKague
On playing at UFCU Disch-Falk field:  The pitchers are happy about it. We're going to stick with our approach at the plate. We're going to hit the ball around.

Junior LHP Matt Fouch
On pitching at UFCU Disch-Falk Field: I haven't heard much about the field. As a staff it doesn't really change our approach, keeping the ball down in the zone. But it does help when you have a little bit of leeway back there. Overall, as a staff, we always just trust our defense. We have a good defense with these guys, so we just trust them when a ball goes in play because they want to make plays.

On playing Texas: My thoughts are if we have to play somebody in the regionals, we want to play the No. 1 team. I think it's a great opportunity. We're happy to be here.

On his pitching strategy: As a pitcher, my main focus is to just throw strikes and not try to put it all on myself.  Once again, let the guys behind me make plays because that's what they want to do so it's not on me. I have eight guys back there behind me that want to make plays. 

Senior 3B J.P. Polchinski
On playing on FieldTurf rather than real grass: Actually, it presents a better surface than what we're used to, because you know you're going to get a true hop. I know at Texas they like to bunt a lot, so that may present a different level of difficulty. It really shouldn't change any of our approach, especially since we have a great surface up at West Point to practice on.