Weekly Q&A: Head Coach Carol Hutchins
4/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
On the upcoming week
"Its a good week for us. Central Michigan is always a competitive team and Margo is definitely one of my mentors. A enjoy the rivalry we've had with Central Michigan down through the years. It gives us an opportunity to fine tune some things against a quality opponent. That's the reason you schedule midweek games is stay in a groove. Wisconsin has come out of nowhere and is really swinging their bats very well. We'll have our hands full when we get to Minnesota."
On Wilson bouncing back from her first loss
"For the most part, I was pleased with how she came back against Illinois on Sunday. She still did not have her best stuff and she struggled getting ahead in the count. She had first-game jitters vs. Iowa. Big game jitters and let the stuff get in her way that we counsel all our kids against. She's a young pitcher and I think she learned a lesson. We had a good conversation after the game on Friday and she responded."
On Big Ten opening weekend overall
"The Big Ten race is not just Michigan. We're real popular around here, but those folks in Evanston are playing to win it. They are as talented as any team in the country and consistency is something they have apparently found, but we can't worry about them. I believe our pitch-to-pitch focus was not where it needs to be this past weekend and I think we let the distractions get to us a little bit. It was an environment we were not used to and it showed. We have played good softball all season, and these kids are human, so you can't play great softball all season, but this team got better as the weekend went along and took care of business after the Iowa loss."
On Nicole Motycka at the plate
"She has gotten better every year. She has taken this designated player role to heart even though she could have an attitude. She has matured both as a player and as a person which is the key. Her perspective is a lot broader than ever and she is just seeing the ball really well right now. She'll be the first to tell you that she is not swinging at bad pitches and her pitch selection has been vital. She is also finishing her swing better whether the ball is on the inside or outside portion of the plate. She's in a groove right now and we're going to keep riding her hot bat."
On the production in the No. 5 and 6 spots in the order
"It is huge having somebody like Motycka in the No. 5 spot. Those two spots are the key to our order and Motycka and Leutele have been excellent in those roles."
On the play of Stephanie Bercaw
"There is only one word for her and that is confidence. She needs to understand how much of a better player she is when she has that confidence. I expect her to take responsibility for that confidence because it is the reason she is playing so well right now. She has always had some of the best bat speed on this team and I am sure being in the lineup regularly has given her that confidence. There is no question we have received a big boost from her production."
On Samantha Findlay
"She has been a little inconsistent, which is what we are working on right now, but she's a kid that does not get too down when things don't go her way. She has shown some signs of frustration, but that's true of any young player. She's feeling good and her pitch selection is getting better even though it's not where it needs to bet just yet. The key is having somebody like Motycka hitting behind her and showing that good eye, which is something she has done fairly well this season, particularly for a freshman."
On scoring early
"Tiffany Haas is a big part of that as is our top of the order in general. Those kids have been getting it done for most of the season and its nice to play with a lead as often as we have. Tiffany she swings at good pitches and she takes the barrel to the ball. Some kids just swing, but Tiffany swings with a purpose and she is just a good natural hitter who has excellent hand-eye coordination."
