Q&A with Head Baseball Coach Joe Jordano
9/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Q&A with Head Baseball Coach Joe Jordano
9/26/2003
WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF THE PROGRAM?
I feel very confident where we are at. Over the past six seasons we have established ourselves as a contender in the Conference and have been a real candidate for an NCAA regional bid each of the past two seasons. We have raised the expectation of the program both on and off the field. This is a real challenge for us. We have to continue to recruit great athletes who are committed to achieving great things at the University of Pittsburgh.
When you look at what we have done with the program in a relatively short period of time it is incredible. We simply believe that with a simplistic approach, team effort, a great work ethic mixed in with talented, solid players ? we can achieve anything.
Simply stated, we have re-written the record book, have had numerous players drafted, have won more games in a six year span than at any other time in the history of the program including 72 in the past two years and have done that while graduating our players and accomplishing our internal objectives of the field.
HOW HAVE YOU WORKED TO MAINTAIN THE PROGRAM?S SUCCESS?
We try to balance the classes on the team. Not to load up on a lot of youth, but to blend the team as best we can utilizing each player?s abilities. We continue to pursue quality athletes that can make a difference for our team and our program. Our staff has worked hard to avoid cycles of up and down play, and done a good job of maintaining a constant level of success. The university has continued to upgrade our facilities and that?s always a bonus. Compared to other programs in this region we have enjoyed a pleasant sustained success because we graduate our players and we are committed to doing things the right way.
HOW IS THIS YEAR?S TEAM SHAPING UP?
This year will be very interesting. We return the bulk of our pitching staff in addition to having PJ Hiser return from his red-shirt year. Obviously that is a big help. Nick Evangelsita who was drafted a year ago but opted to return for his senior season is rock solid on the mound. The rest of the staff is a combination of experienced pitchers and talented new players. We will have to see how that plays out, but I am confident that we should have a formidable pitcher on the mound each game. One critical factor is that we need to stay healthy.
In terms of the position players, we have more speed this year than we have ever had. I like this aspect. We have only Bryan Spamer at short, Mike Scanzano at 3rd, Tom Cashman at 1st, Alex Rybczak catching and Ben Copeland in center as our only substantial starters from a year ago. We have added some very talented freshmen. Peter Parise can play almost any position, Jimmy Negrych at second, Tony Marciante in the outfield to name a few, in addition, to a few transfers that will have an impact.
HOW IS FALL BALL GOING?
This fall we are focusing on team concepts and seeing exactly what we have. We are little banged up but I am fairly pleased with our progress. We just have a lot of new faces that have to learn to play our style of baseball. We have a solid group of players that are returning. The veterans have looked good thus far, and their continued solid play will be an asset to our team. Our newcomers are very talented and some will have the opportunity to play everyday, but first they must get a clear understanding of our philosophy and team goals here. So far things are looking good and our new guys are learning our system.
WHAT IS PITTSBURGH?S STYLE OF BASEBALL?
Pittsburgh baseball is characterized by a blue collar work ethic. We work hard to take advantage of every opportunity on offense and defense. We work to create our offense and a solid defense. We love to run the bases, and can play small ball when we have to. Last season we led the Big East in stolen bases both in and out of conference play. Pittsburgh baseball is balanced and focuses on doing the little things well.
HOW IS THE PITCHING STAFF LOOKING?
Having Nick Evangelista back is huge for us because he typically draws the ace of our opponent?s staff. So he knows what it takes to pitch in big games and his tremendous experience will carry us throughout the season. Also getting P.J. Hiser back from a redshirt season last year because of injury will give us a solid 1-2 punch. We have several other pitchers who will contribute and will play key roles within our pitching staff. With quality front line arms, the depth of our pitching staff will undoubtedly be a strength for this year?s team.
HOW IS RECRUITING GOING FOR THIS YEAR?
Very solid. We have a few verbal commitments so far and we are at the top-of-the-list on a few others and I expect to get verbals from two to three more by the beginning of October. It is an important year for us simply because we lose quite a few players. But this is also a great opportunity for new players entering the program providing an opportunity to play early in their careers. We have worked hard to have a solid balance of classes. This helps us in our effort to sustain success rather than having periodic runs of success. I look forward to announcing this recruiting class in November.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR FROM YOUR PLAYERS?
We want to recruit players who can play the game at a high level. Guys that work hard everyday and possess the blue collar work ethic required to be successful at this level. They have to be focused on their role within the team and not on themselves.
HOW DOES THE SCHEDULE LOOK THIS YEAR?
We have a great schedule put together. We open with New Orleans for a 3 game series then travel the following weekend to Duke for another 3 game set. Then, as is our tradition, we head to Homestead, Florida to participate in the Homestead Challenge. Currently, we have Indiana, Florida International and Evansville scheduled. It is by far, our toughest Homestead schedule to date. Of course, we will play our City Game at PNC PARK versus Duquesne in May and we are currently working with the Washington Wild Things to possibly play a game at the beautiful Falconi Field in Washington, PA ? Home of the Washington Wild Things.
We also have Notre Dame coming to campus which will be a big series for us as well as St. John?s, UConn and Georgetown. It will be a very competitive schedule.
HOW HAS THE CHALLENGING SCHEDULE AIDED THE TEAM?S SUCCESS?
Our players are willing to accept any challenge and are not afraid to play against anyone. Playing a challenging schedule makes our entire team play at a higher level. Quality opponents force you to play well and force you to play without making mistakes. In these games we learn how to execute in big games and it helps to prepare us for our conference schedule. Ultimately every year our goal is to win a Big East championship, and everything we do will be geared toward reaching that goal. Through the year?s we have proved we can win within our conference, and now the key is using these games as tool to help minimize bad weekends.
KEN MACHA, TALK ABOUT HIS TIES TO THE PANTHERS?
Ken is a good friend of mine first of all. He was a player here who was drafted and he played before deciding to go into coaching. Now in his first season as the Oakland A?s Manager, he?s led the team to the American League West title which is an outstanding accomplishment. Ken is a true Pittsburgh Panther and he loves the university.