RedHawk Chatter with Dan Simonds and Jordan Petraitis

RedHawk Chatter with Coach Simonds

Miami University head baseball coach Dan Simonds stopped by RedHawk Chatter on Tuesday, March 24. We had some really good questions, but could't get to every one of them. Thanks for participating.

MURedHawks.com: Welcome to today's chat with Miami Head Baseball Coach Dan Simonds. Unfortunately, Jordan had some academic things to take care of and won't be able to join us.

MURedHawks.com: We will get started in the next couple of minutes. Please submit your questions as soon as possible

Randy (Oxford): Coach Simonds, what/who has been the biggest surprise of the season so far?

Coach Simonds: We have very pleased with the play of junior college transfer Zak Hatfield. He has provided quite a bit of production in the middle of our lineup. We also have been pleased with some of our freshmen who have adjusted very well to Division I baseball. Jordan Jankowski has done a nice job out of our bullpen. Matt Rosinski has given us some quality innings.

Adam (Oxford): Coach you guys had a tough few games against Toledo what are you planing to do to turn it around started this week?

Coach Simonds: We certainly did not play our best baseball in Toledo this weekend. We need to get back to playing our style of baseball which is more aggressive.

Miami redhawk fan (orlando): I saw you play in florida and you had a couple of dramatic wins, whats has changed now? Is the bullpen still the problem?

Coach Simonds: We played very sound fundamental baseball in Florida. We simply need to play better defensively and not give teams extra opportunities. Our bullpen has for the most part been consistent and I expect them to continue to fill their roles.

Dave (Oxford): Coach, you finally get a home game this weekend when Eastern Michigan comes to town. Will it be good to get on your home field?

Coach Simonds: We are very excited to be back at home, considering we have yet to have a game here. I know our players love playing at Hayden Park. It has been unfortunate that we have had a couple games cancelled due to bad weather.

Vince: I hear a lot about home-field advantage in hockey, basketball and football. Is it that important in baseball?

Coach Simonds: There is definitely a competitive advantage in being able to hit last. I don't think that the crowd, especially at college baseball games, has the influence as it does in the other sports.

Bill (Oxford): Matt Erwood has had some good outings for you guys but has taken some tough losses this season. Talk a little bit about the play of this fifth-year senior.

Coach Simonds: Matt has certainly given us a chance to win every time we give him the ball. He is a very strong competitor and has developed into one of the better pitchers in our conference. He has taken a couple of tough losses, but I anticipate we will score him runs in the near future.

Sam (Columbus): I saw Ryan Curl had a game winning hit for you guys in Florida. How has he helped the team in his first season?

Coach Simonds: Ryan is a special talent and it getting adjusted to the college game. We have had to make some adjustments to his swing and he has taken to them very well. He is a difference-maker when he is on the bases.

Steve (oxford): Can Miami get back to the top of the MAC this season?

Coach Simonds: I definitely think we can get back to the top of the MAC in 2009. We have a lot more experience this year but have a few things we need to iron out. We have depth in our pitching staff and speed and power throughout our lineup. The first weekend didnt go our way, but we still have 24 MAC games remaining. We havent come close to playing our best baseball yet.

Miami Fan (Columbus): If you could encourage fans to come to one big rivalry game this year, what game would it be?

Coach Simonds: Ohio University, without a doubt.

MURedHawks.com: That is the final home series of the year... May 8-10. The Sunday will be senior day.

Nate (Oxford): You guys seem to have a lot of power in the lineup but do you still play "small ball"?

Coach Simonds: The conditions of the game ,ie the weather, the opponent's pitcher, etc. dictate how we approach the game. We do have a considerable amount of power this year. However, there are times when we need to manufacture runs to build a lead.

Dave (Oxford): You have had good outings from your #1 and #3 pitchers, but we seem to be having trouble at #2. Also what can we expect from the bullpen this season?

Coach Simonds: Both Matt Erwood and Tyler Melling have been effective in their appearances. We are going to move Tyler to No. 2 this weekend and we are still determining who will fill the last spot in the rotation. We want our best three out there during conference weekends.

Al (Oxford): Coach would you rather win the regular season MAC title or Mac Tournament?

Coach Simonds: Ideally we would win both!

Coach Simonds: Since you are making me choose, I would say the MAC Tournament to receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAAs.

Bill: Coach there is a lot of power in the lineup with Nurre, Jordan and Hatfield which was has leading the way so far?

Coach Simonds: Currently, Zak leads the team in home runs and RBI... I think its six and 22 or 24. However, both Tommy and Jordan are capable of plus power numbers. I except them to get hot soon.

Ronnie (Eaton): If you could name one player who has Major League Baseball potential on your team, who is it?

Coach Simonds: I feel we have several players that have professional potential. Petraitis and Nurre were both drafted last year in their junior years. Newcomers Curl and Jankowski were picked as seniors in high school. We have a couple other guys as well who could be taken this June.

MURedHawks.com: We only have a few minutes left, so will get to a couple more questions.

Tracy (Bloomington): Who would you like to beat more and why? Indiana or Xavier

Coach Simonds: INDIANA! I have lost to their head coach in way too many racquetball games.

jason (oxford): Dan, how do you feel about wearing that helmet when you coach 3rd base?

Coach Simonds: It has taken a little while to get used to. Seriously, I have had some close calls this year. Following the tragic death of a coach in the minors a couple of years ago, the NCAA has made it a mandatory rule.

Kelly: What can the fans do to help Miami baseball?

Coach Simonds: The answer is simple. Come out and support us at the home games. The players enjoy playing in front of good crowds.

MURedHawks.com: We have time for one more question before coach heads out to Cincinnati for tonight's game.

Scott (Darrtown): Coach is it true that they are moving the MAC tournament to a neutral site? If so what do you think about the neutral site idea?

Coach Simonds: True. The MAC Tournament will be moving to Chilicothe this year. It will have good atmosphere and good conditions. Ideally, I still think that the conference's regular-season champion should have the opportunity to host the tournament.

MURedHawks.com: Thanks to coach for joining us today. The team plays at Cincinnati tonight and at Dayton tomorrow before hosting Eastern Michigan this weekend.

MURedHawks.com: Games start at 6 on Friday, 6 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. Admission is free at Hayden Park.

MURedHawks.com: Join us next week when we have another edition of RedHawk Chatter. One of the football coaches will be here to talk about the progress of spring practice.

MURedHawks.com: Thanks again.

RedHawk Chatter with Dan Simonds and Jordan Petraitis

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