Feb. 11, 2009

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND - With baseball practice in full swing and first pitch set for Saturday, Feb. 21 versus Niagara, RichmondSpiders.com sat down recently with head coach Mark McQueen to preview the 2009 campaign.

Q: Are you approaching this season any differently than last, now having a year under your belt as a head coach?
A: I can tell you that our team's approach has not changed from last year. We still intend to put ourselves in position to compete for a championship. As far as my approach, I've always believed that coaches need to teach in practice, put the team in a position to win the game and give the players the freedom to go out and perform with confidence.

I think anytime you do something new there's always a little uncertainty involved. With last year being my first as a head coach and the first time our whole coaching staff had worked together, there was an ongoing process of learning the players strengths and weaknesses while at the same time the players were adjusting to a new system. This year I feel a lot more comfortable with our progress as a whole. Our fall practices were crisp, full of energy and organized. The coaching staff has done an excellent job of preparing our players for the situations we will encounter this spring.

The work ethic and team unity our players have exhibited since August have been outstanding. I look forward to seeing the strides we have taken and if the goals this team has set can be accomplished.

Senior closer Brian Alas needs three saves to set Richmond's career record

Q: What are the team's goals for this season?
A: Obviously we want to win the Atlantic 10 Conference and advance to the NCAA Tournament. We also understand that if we don't accomplish our daily goals then our overall team goals will not be met. This team has decided to give nothing less than their best effort both on the field and in the classroom. We will be committed to our teammates and coaches. We will pay attention to the little details and focus only on what we have control of. We believe in team above self and the importance of composure in times of adversity. Most of all we will play every pitch with intensity, passion and the pride that we feel from being a Richmond Spider.

Q: The team was plagued with injuries in key spots last season, what are your expectations with those players back in the lineup on opening day?
A: Last year was tough on us injury-wise. We felt good with our lineup starting the season and in the first two weeks we lost our shortstop Victor Croglio, our third baseman Cameron Brown and our closer Brian Alas to season-ending injuries. Then shortly after, we lost two of our top three pitchers -- Ian Marshall and Rob Berzinskas -- for the year.

We suddenly found ourselves having to play some freshmen and move some upperclassmen around to unfamiliar positions. I was proud of the way our guys responded to this adversity but at the same time it limited what we could do in certain facets of our game.

The positive side from last year's dilemma is was the ability to get some of our younger players game experience and hopefully develop some more depth for the coming season.

Q: Talk about your captains, and your expectations of them?
A: I am very pleased with our two captains for the 2009 season. Seniors Josh Horn and Ryan Metzroth were appointed for their leadership qualities and work ethic both on and off the field.

Besides Josh and Ryan though, I feel like we have 31 other captains on our team also. Each of our players possesses captain-like qualities and the credit belongs to their parents and families back home. They along with our coaching staff have stressed the importance of each individual being accountable, responsible and respectful. It's a challenge and a character check to be a student-athlete at the University of Richmond and I'm extremely proud of every one of our players.

Q: Give us your thoughts on the freshmen and who could be making immediate impacts?
A: I can't help but being excited about the nine players in our freshmen class. Coaches Wheeler and Oxendine deserve the credit for bringing these fine young men to Richmond. I don't ever remember seeing this many freshmen who are as mature and athletic as this group of young men.

Junior C Evan Stehle was a Preseason All-Conference selection by Yahoo!/Rivals Sports

Ryan Mallory and Adam McConnell have a legitimate chance of starting in our infield. Phil Ruzbarsky, Matt Zink and Robbie Massar will all see time in the outfield. Chris Cowell and Bryan Conway will back up starting junior catcher Evan Stehle, while Zach Jung and Alex Maffett will give us depth on the mound.

It's also a credit to our upperclassmen the way these freshmen have developed and adjusted to life on a college campus in such a short time.