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Ron Atkins Chat Wrap
June 4, 2002
Matt (Columbus, Ohio): Coach, First, Congratulations on your Regional Title over the weekend. I was wondering your thoughts on what an appearance in the Super Regional does for the Richmond baseball program as well the Atlantic 10 conference?
Ryan (Fremont, NE): Hi, Coach Atkins. Congratulations and thank you for that victory against Wake Forest sunday night. I think the whole state of Nebraska wanted updates of that game. Anyhow, I was wondering what you think is the key this weekend for your team to have success?  Ron Atkins: I think, first of all, we have to pitch it and catch it. It is going to be important for us to take the crowd out of the situation whenever we can. Being a young team, it will be important not to be influenced by the crowd. Another big factor is timely hitting, especially with runners in scoring position.
Greg (Branford, CT): Are you sticking with the line-up that was used in the first round of the tourney? Ron Atkins: Barring injury, we plan to maintain the lineup as it was in the Regional. My philosophy is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Frank Spina: How do you think the Spiders will react to Nebraska's enormous home crowd? Ron Atkins: We have played before large crowds in the past, but not quite as large as Nebraska. This team is focused and I really don't think the crowd will be a big factor.
Richmond: Coach what a great job you did again this year, congrads. In past years you have had some players on your teams that are now in the major league, do you see any players on your team this year that you feel have that type of future? Ron Atkins: We have five draft eligible student-athletes this year and a handful more next year. I believe there is definitely major league talent on this team.
Jason (Fremont,NE): Looking over the stats from your baseball club, I have noticed that one of your players has been hit by pitches 18 times? How is he not injured? Ron Atkins: Brian Ruscello is a tough kid from Pittsburgh. He was a running back in high school and has taken many hits through his careeer, the least of which is a baseball. But seriously, he does a great job of getting on base for us.
Hank: How bad is our team going to miss the advantage Pitt field provides? Ron Atkins: Pitt Field (home of the Spiders) is a hitter's ball park. However, we have played 36 games on the road, some in larger ball parks. At times, the larger parks have helped us because of our speed in the outfield.
Josh(Overland Park, KS): Coach Atkins, What would it mean to your program to make it to the College World Series? Also, would you even come home or just drive 50 miles to Omaha? Ron Atkins: No doubt making it to the CWS would be a big step for Richmond baseball and the University community. It would be gratifying especially for our players. They have worked extremely hard to get to this point. We would probably stay in Lincoln and drive to Omaha.
Matt (Washington, DC): During the regular season, you threw Tim Stauffer in the first game of most 3 game series, however, you switched to Mike McGirr in the first game of the regional. Do you plan on going back to Stauffer for the opener vs. Nebraska Ron Atkins: Tim Stauffer will be our opening day starter. Thomas Martin and Mike McGirr will follow. We feel confident in all three of our starting pitchers and also our bullpen.
Hank: What is the current feeling you are getting from our team? Are they confident? Ron Atkins: Our team is excited about going to the super-regionals. They are focused and they truly respect their opponent, Nebraska.
bluecollar (New York, NY): any chance if the series goes 3 games stauffer could be used in a save situation? Ron Atkins: Yes. Tim is a workhorse, but it would definitely depend on the number of pitches he throws on Friday. Tim has a chance to be a major league pitcher and we will not jeopardize his future for one ball game.
Dayton Flyers: Were you disappointed the NCAA committee threw both GW and UR in the same regional? Ron Atkins: I truly understand the NCAA stance on cutting down travel. VCU and James Madison had to do the same thing.
Jim Canton Oh.: Hey Coach great job this year. What team in the A-10 created the greatest challange for you team this year and why? Ron Atkins: Being our first year in the A-10, we did not know the talent level of our opponents. I feel the talent level in the A-10 was similar to the CAA. In both leagues, there are very good teams and others that are still developing. However, any conference weekend requires your best effort.
Moderator: We have time for one more question to Coach Atkins. R. Schneff: How important were the close games and late inning lead changes in the regionals ...as far as preparing you to do battle with Nebraska? Ron Atkins: Anytime you play close ball games and your team finds a way to win, they learn something about themselves and their teammates. I feel it is definitely an advantage that we were in so many close games because not only did it create team unity, but it creates a lot of team confidence.
Ron Atkins: This has been a great year for Spider baseball. I want to thank all of our Spiders fans and supporters who have stayed behind us this entire year. We are very excited for this opportunity to play at the highest level of college baseball.
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