Feb. 15, 2012
Robin Petrini - Head Coach
Q: Could you explain the art of bunting and its significance in softball?
A: "The significance is that you're trying to advance a runner and put runners in scoring position. There are lots of ways to get around that. With lefties now you have kids that can slap but with right handers you still do a traditional bunt. The art of it is just trying to square around and face the picture and get the bat on the ball and get the ball in fair territory.
Q: What did the opening season tournament teach you about your team?
A: "I was surprised of some defensive miscues so that gives us a chance to work on that and I was surprised also that we didn't hit a little bit better than we did. So, those are the two things that we really need to work on. I was pleased with our pitchers for the most part. I thought that Lisa (Akamine) pitched very well when we were down there and Marissa (Diescher) did a good job but defensively we played very poorly behind her. Jordan (Wheatley) gave us some really good innings. She had one really bad inning but prior to that she had all really good innings so I was pleased with our pitching staff as a whole. Defensively, we had a couple miscues that we can easily shore up and then offense is one of those things that you constantly have to work on."
Q: Is there a clear-cut No. 2 between Wheatley and Diescher?
A: "No there is not. It's very early in the year and we'll see where that goes. I expect that Diescher will probably step into a starting role with Lisa (Akamine) and that Jordan (Wheatley) will give us valuable innings along the way. But we'll see what happens."
Q: How are the freshmen adjusting to the new season?
A: "That's sort of a question for them but I think they're doing just fine. We had a bumpy flight though which was really funny because we don't even think anything of it and on the way out one of our kids was grabbing the seat and I said, "Oh, are you a white-knuckle flyer?" and she said, "I'm not really good at flying." I thought we'll you're going to fly a lot if you come here. So that was probably their biggest adjustment was flying."
Q: Will Morgan Long play as significant of a role this season as she did in 2010 and your thoughts on her two at-bats so far this year?
A: "I hope so. That's something we talked about in our goal meeting with her. In 2010 she was absolutely significant and she was a key role in the success that that team had that year. The at-bat where she did not get a hit (against LSU), their centerfielder made a game-saving catch on that or we would have scored some runs and the outcome of that game would have been different as well. So, her two at-bats were very good at-bats, something very positive."
Q: What would you say the strength of this team is?
A: "I would say the strength is pitching and defense and that's why I was so surprised that our defense played poorly. Ashley Todd had a lot of trouble and Alyssa Renwick had trouble that I did not expect. So, we spent a little bit of time and I was sick yesterday so I'm assuming that Coach Mac (Jen McIntyre) did what I ask her to but we need to put our defense in "game-like" situations so that they are having to make plays. The transition from Astroturf to dirt is so difficult because Astroturf you know where the ball is going to bounce and all that stuff. So as soon as we can get on dirt the better for us."
Q: What sort of changes are you making from last season to this season?
A: "I don't know that we're making very many changes and we returned a pretty veteran group. We need to solidify our third base corner. Ashley Todd really struggled and if she can't overcome those struggles we're going to have to find somebody that can play that third base position."
Q: Who would be next? (at the 3rd base position)
A: "We don't know. That's what practice is for. Lisa! (jokingly) We're going to put Lisa at third."
Q: What are your expectations for this year?
A: "Our expectations are to get back to the NCAAs and compete for [Super Regionals]. The difference with the team this year was very obvious to me. When we got on the bus Saturday night, the team was really quiet. That is they expect the same and they were disappointed in themselves. I've had team in the past that when we struggled, they would get on the bus and you know no big deal. On Sunday after the Michigan game we got on the bus and again, it was very quiet. Michigan is really good. They are firing on all cylinders already. Their pitchers are not where they need to be but they came out offensively on fire. So, I actually went to the back of the bus and made the bus laugh because we just needed a break. We'll be fine we just need to make a couple of adjustments and we'll be good. The difference is that they expect it from themselves as well, and that's a good sign."
Q: What kind of impact do the new facilities make since you have been here?
A: "It's definitely had a huge impact. Obviously recruiting is the biggest thing where we see that. But it impacts all of us. The way I explained is that our team no longer feels like second class citizens. When we used to go to the other park, the field was always great but everything around it was not. So, our kids felt like second class citizens and now they feel like first class citizens. There's an air about our team now with this facility that makes a big difference. It's interesting we went down to LSU, which is to be considered the crème da la crème of the facilities and it's a beautiful stadium. They spent I would say probably half of their money on this stadium itself because of the seating and the overhang and the huge glass windows in the press box. I did get a chance to get up there to see how nice it was inside there. You could see that that's where they spent a lot of their money. We went into their team room and ours I think is equal, if not better as a building in and of itself and what it entails and how everything is set up inside of it. They had to spend millions on this overhang that shoots out so when it's hot they have shade for their fans. So that's where I would say they spent a lot of their money. I mean it's a beautiful facility don't get me wrong. Their team rooms and all that stuff are fantastic but I like ours just as well."
Q: "Do recruits seemed to be impressed with the new facilities?
A: "Oh yeah. The class that we have coming in next year was the first class that actually saw ground being broken. Cassidy's (Bell) class, our junior class, was the first class that started to come in on faith. But the class that actually saw ground being broken will be the class that's coming in this next year. We have a catcher coming in out of California who I think is going to be very, very good and I was able to take her onto the site and say, "I want you to catch right here" with it just being dirt and she's like, "I'm there!" It's definitely having an impact."
Q: How short is everyone's leash in the lineup that is hitting poorly?
A: "They have to figure it out. Those are our best kids so they have to figure it out."
Q: What do you see from the rest of the Big Ten?
A: "Everybody is trying to regroup. There were some people that were on top in years past that had really bad years last year. So they are trying to regroup. Then there's people that rose to the top and then lost significant people so now where do they shake out. So I think everybody's going to be trying to find their way in these next couple of weeks so that they're prepared for when we get to the Big Ten. But I think that the Big Ten is going to be more of a dog fight than it ever has been."
Lisa Akamine - Senior Pitcher
Q: Why are you such a good softball player and what do you enjoy about it?
A: "I think I'm a good softball player because of my team and I have really good defense behind me. I feel that I can really count on them to come through when I'm not doing my best."
Q: What's the biggest challenge pitching in a conference like the Big Ten?
A: "Every team has an awesome offense. There isn't one team that you can just go in there and not pitch your best or else they'll walk all over you."