University of Pittsburgh Athletics
2018 Fall Ball Quotes
SENIOR CATCHER COLE MACLAREN
On the excitement of getting out on the field for fall ball…
"It was awesome, even given the weather circumstances. It was a very nice day, but it was good to get out here as a full team now. Guys are eager, we've got fire and it was great to be out here today."
On helping the younger players adapt…
"I kind of take that upon myself to help these guys through what they need to get through, whether that's in the classroom or if it's on the field. It's whatever they need help with. The older guys are here to guide them and show them the path to success and to win on the baseball field."
On adapting to a new coaching staff…
"First and foremost, some guys have to get healthy. We have some pretty key guys that are on the DL right now, but other than that we're all trying to get used to each other a little bit, but it's early. We're all working together and working hard, it'll be good."
JUNIOR OUTFIELDER NICO POPA
On the energy level around practice…
"It's awesome to be out here for a full team practice and it's great with all of the new energy that these coaches are bringing."
On being back on the field after last year's season-ending injury…
"It's great. Obviously we finished up pretty well last year, but it's great to be back and healthy to be able to be a part of that again."
On competing in intrasquad scrimmages…
"It's awesome to be able to go out and compete, even though it's against your own teammates, it's still great to compete anytime."
JUNIOR PITCHER CHRIS GOMEZ
On what the new coaching staff brings to practice…
"The new coaching staff has been intense with the whole new style that he's bringing in – new philosophy, new signs. These last couple of weeks have been pretty intense and everyone is physically drained and mentally drained, just by the fact that there's a lot of thinking going on with the new process, where the new players are adjusting and the returners are adjusting as well."
On what the excitement level has been around the team…
"Everyone's super excited, everyone's been eager to get out on the field ever since the season ended. We ended on a good note and everyone wants to get back there. Everyone knows what it takes, so the intensity has been really high. I'm very excited."
On what he hopes to gain from the instructional season…
"Just experience and to have a connection with everyone else. Everyone will be on the same page and can take that onto the field so once it's game time and the season comes around everyone's on the same page and ready to go."
JUNIOR PITCHER DAN HAMMER
On getting back on the mound against live hitting…
"I felt really good, it's always good to opportunity to get out there and face live hitters instead of just throwing a bullpen so it was fun to get back out there."
On what the energy has been like with the new coaching staff…
"The energy has been great with the new staff and everybody's just really excited to be out here and have a good time this fall and get better as a team."
On his leadership role as a veteran on the pitching staff…
"My leadership role has just been leading by example and helping these young, talented guys kind of find themselves and help be successful this year."
SOPHOMORE OUTFIELDER/PITCHER CHRIS CAPPAS
On getting week two underway…
"I think we've been waiting for this time for a while now since Coach Bell got hired. I think he gave us enough time to get adjusted and get ready for what's next to come."
On how he can help the newcomers adjust…
"It's definitely a new transition playing in the ACC. Whatever they're used to it's obviously a higher level of competition. I think I'm going to do the best I can to help them get used to that."
On the expectations for the 2019 season…
"We definitely have some experience in the players who are returning, and having a good run in the ACC Tournament. We're going to build off of that energy."
FRESHMAN PITCHER MASON RONAN
On how the team is adjusting…
“I’d say the team is adjusting pretty well. We’re three weeks in and we’re all getting to know each other, we’re all comfortable with each other now and the way Coach Bell and the staff goes about things. We have good team chemistry right now.”
On how he’s transitioning to collegiate baseball…
“I’d say I’m doing pretty well. I’ve really been focusing on my time management, trying to knock my school work out as soon as I can and getting all of my study hall ours in and then on top of all of that getting my extra work in in practice and lift. It’s been pretty good so far.”
On getting to face a different opponent in Friday’s exhibition…
“It’s going to be fun, I’m really looking forward to it. We’ve been going at it with each other these past couple of weeks and just to go out there and throw against some other batters and see my teammates compete against a different pitcher and all that, I’m really looking forward to it and I know the team is too.”
JUNIOR PITCHER CHRISTIAN CAMACHO
On the transition from junior college to Pitt…
“It’s been a little bit different. The level of competition is, of course, going to be higher, we’re expected to play at a higher level in the ACC. Having a lot of guys with the same abilities or even better helps you become a better player and person. It’s a good transition and it’s definitely a different one for sure.”
On the pressure of being expected to come in and contribute immediately…
“It’s just about staying calm, staying cool and collected. Playing baseball, I’ve been playing this game my whole life so it’s nothing different going out there and competing. I love competing, it’s something I look forward to. Being able to help younger guys, being one of the older guys, is something I look forward to. That’s something I’m really excited about.”
On getting to face the Toronto Mets Friday…
“It’s always different. It’s always a good feeling playing against other teams, being able to compete and show what you’ve got. I think everyone is excited about getting out there and being able to compete and hopefully beat them and have some fun doing it.”
SOPHOMORE PITCHER CHASE SMITH
On how the team is adapting…
“Throughout this whole fall, considering we had a lot of new guys come in this year, it was really cool to watch us bond as a group.”
On the team’s performance against the Toronto Mets…
“This Friday it was really cool to watch the pitchers compete and watch the hitters do what they do best and put the ball in play when they needed to.”
On what the team is looking to accomplish against Youngstown State…
“This Friday we really want to do what we’ve been doing all fall and just compete every time we get the chance.”
FRESHMAN OUTFIELDER KYLE HESS
On the transition from high school to playing at Pitt…
“It’s been good. It’s been fun, you get to play baseball every day. School has been a little bit challenging having to balance baseball and school is kind of a lot, but it’s been fun.”
On the performance against the Toronto Mets…
“I thought we did pretty good, it was good to play against another team, new faces. I thought we did pretty well collectively, it was good.”
On what the team is looking to accomplish against Youngstown State…
“Just the same thing that we go out and do every day – get better. We get the opportunity to see new faces and see a new team so just to be able to go out and compete and try to get better.”
JUNIOR INFIELDER ALEX AMOS
On what he’s seen from the team thus far…
“We have a lot of new guys, it was kind of a slow start getting them incorporated. Once we got things rolling, everyone is working to get better. Every day is a challenge and we’re just trying to grow as a team.”
On building off the momentum from the end of the 2018 season with so many newcomers…
“I think they were along for the ride too – they’re committed. They got to watch the games on TV, some of them came to the games, so they kind of saw what we got to experience and I think they want to experience it as well.”
On what it’s like playing WVU in Morgantown…
“Every time we go to Morgantown it’s going to be a brawl. I’m sure there are going to be some fans there, I look forward to playing there every year. Adding it in the fall is a pretty cool experience.”
FRESHMAN PITCHER BRADY DEVEREUX
On the transition from high school to playing at Pitt…
“It’s definitely been different adjusting here. The speed of the game is a lot different. My teammates have helped me a lot to understand the tempo here, especially when we get into the spring in ACC play it’s going to be a lot different than high school. Also one of the big adjustments is seeing a lineup full of good hitters, as opposed to high school where there were only a couple guys in the lineup that could hit the ball.”
On what’s led to his success in his first two outings…
“My teammates have definitely been awesome, especially the older guys helping me and coaching me through what they’ve been through and their experience. They’ve helped me learn a lot to not make the same mistakes that they have and to be in control when I’m on the mound. Also, the coaches have done a really good job preparing us and keeping us in really good routines each week to stay on the same schedule so that we’re prepared for each Friday.”
On getting to experience the rivalry at West Virginia…
“I’m really excited. I’ve heard from everyone that this is an awesome experience and an awesome game. I can’t wait to get down there and see what the atmosphere is like, it’s going to be awesome.”
SOPHOMORE INFIELDER BRYCE O’FARRELL
On the differences between this team and last year’s team…
“We’re definitely a lot younger than last year and we had some key losses. But we have some new guys that are definitely going to fit in and that will show on the field.”
On how he’s helping the new players adjust to playing at Pitt…
“The college level definitely feels a lot faster at first. I try to help them slow the game down and let them know that it’s a marathon not a sprint.”
On playing West Virginia in the fall…
“It’s definitely a great experience to add it in the fall. It’s always a lot of fun going down there, it’s a great atmosphere. Guys are definitely excited to get down there.”
On the excitement of getting out on the field for fall ball…
"It was awesome, even given the weather circumstances. It was a very nice day, but it was good to get out here as a full team now. Guys are eager, we've got fire and it was great to be out here today."
On helping the younger players adapt…
"I kind of take that upon myself to help these guys through what they need to get through, whether that's in the classroom or if it's on the field. It's whatever they need help with. The older guys are here to guide them and show them the path to success and to win on the baseball field."
On adapting to a new coaching staff…
"First and foremost, some guys have to get healthy. We have some pretty key guys that are on the DL right now, but other than that we're all trying to get used to each other a little bit, but it's early. We're all working together and working hard, it'll be good."
JUNIOR OUTFIELDER NICO POPA
On the energy level around practice…
"It's awesome to be out here for a full team practice and it's great with all of the new energy that these coaches are bringing."
On being back on the field after last year's season-ending injury…
"It's great. Obviously we finished up pretty well last year, but it's great to be back and healthy to be able to be a part of that again."
On competing in intrasquad scrimmages…
"It's awesome to be able to go out and compete, even though it's against your own teammates, it's still great to compete anytime."
JUNIOR PITCHER CHRIS GOMEZ
On what the new coaching staff brings to practice…
"The new coaching staff has been intense with the whole new style that he's bringing in – new philosophy, new signs. These last couple of weeks have been pretty intense and everyone is physically drained and mentally drained, just by the fact that there's a lot of thinking going on with the new process, where the new players are adjusting and the returners are adjusting as well."
On what the excitement level has been around the team…
"Everyone's super excited, everyone's been eager to get out on the field ever since the season ended. We ended on a good note and everyone wants to get back there. Everyone knows what it takes, so the intensity has been really high. I'm very excited."
On what he hopes to gain from the instructional season…
"Just experience and to have a connection with everyone else. Everyone will be on the same page and can take that onto the field so once it's game time and the season comes around everyone's on the same page and ready to go."
JUNIOR PITCHER DAN HAMMER
On getting back on the mound against live hitting…
"I felt really good, it's always good to opportunity to get out there and face live hitters instead of just throwing a bullpen so it was fun to get back out there."
On what the energy has been like with the new coaching staff…
"The energy has been great with the new staff and everybody's just really excited to be out here and have a good time this fall and get better as a team."
On his leadership role as a veteran on the pitching staff…
"My leadership role has just been leading by example and helping these young, talented guys kind of find themselves and help be successful this year."
SOPHOMORE OUTFIELDER/PITCHER CHRIS CAPPAS
On getting week two underway…
"I think we've been waiting for this time for a while now since Coach Bell got hired. I think he gave us enough time to get adjusted and get ready for what's next to come."
On how he can help the newcomers adjust…
"It's definitely a new transition playing in the ACC. Whatever they're used to it's obviously a higher level of competition. I think I'm going to do the best I can to help them get used to that."
On the expectations for the 2019 season…
"We definitely have some experience in the players who are returning, and having a good run in the ACC Tournament. We're going to build off of that energy."
FRESHMAN PITCHER MASON RONAN
On how the team is adjusting…
“I’d say the team is adjusting pretty well. We’re three weeks in and we’re all getting to know each other, we’re all comfortable with each other now and the way Coach Bell and the staff goes about things. We have good team chemistry right now.”
On how he’s transitioning to collegiate baseball…
“I’d say I’m doing pretty well. I’ve really been focusing on my time management, trying to knock my school work out as soon as I can and getting all of my study hall ours in and then on top of all of that getting my extra work in in practice and lift. It’s been pretty good so far.”
On getting to face a different opponent in Friday’s exhibition…
“It’s going to be fun, I’m really looking forward to it. We’ve been going at it with each other these past couple of weeks and just to go out there and throw against some other batters and see my teammates compete against a different pitcher and all that, I’m really looking forward to it and I know the team is too.”
JUNIOR PITCHER CHRISTIAN CAMACHO
On the transition from junior college to Pitt…
“It’s been a little bit different. The level of competition is, of course, going to be higher, we’re expected to play at a higher level in the ACC. Having a lot of guys with the same abilities or even better helps you become a better player and person. It’s a good transition and it’s definitely a different one for sure.”
On the pressure of being expected to come in and contribute immediately…
“It’s just about staying calm, staying cool and collected. Playing baseball, I’ve been playing this game my whole life so it’s nothing different going out there and competing. I love competing, it’s something I look forward to. Being able to help younger guys, being one of the older guys, is something I look forward to. That’s something I’m really excited about.”
On getting to face the Toronto Mets Friday…
“It’s always different. It’s always a good feeling playing against other teams, being able to compete and show what you’ve got. I think everyone is excited about getting out there and being able to compete and hopefully beat them and have some fun doing it.”
SOPHOMORE PITCHER CHASE SMITH
On how the team is adapting…
“Throughout this whole fall, considering we had a lot of new guys come in this year, it was really cool to watch us bond as a group.”
On the team’s performance against the Toronto Mets…
“This Friday it was really cool to watch the pitchers compete and watch the hitters do what they do best and put the ball in play when they needed to.”
On what the team is looking to accomplish against Youngstown State…
“This Friday we really want to do what we’ve been doing all fall and just compete every time we get the chance.”
FRESHMAN OUTFIELDER KYLE HESS
On the transition from high school to playing at Pitt…
“It’s been good. It’s been fun, you get to play baseball every day. School has been a little bit challenging having to balance baseball and school is kind of a lot, but it’s been fun.”
On the performance against the Toronto Mets…
“I thought we did pretty good, it was good to play against another team, new faces. I thought we did pretty well collectively, it was good.”
On what the team is looking to accomplish against Youngstown State…
“Just the same thing that we go out and do every day – get better. We get the opportunity to see new faces and see a new team so just to be able to go out and compete and try to get better.”
JUNIOR INFIELDER ALEX AMOS
On what he’s seen from the team thus far…
“We have a lot of new guys, it was kind of a slow start getting them incorporated. Once we got things rolling, everyone is working to get better. Every day is a challenge and we’re just trying to grow as a team.”
On building off the momentum from the end of the 2018 season with so many newcomers…
“I think they were along for the ride too – they’re committed. They got to watch the games on TV, some of them came to the games, so they kind of saw what we got to experience and I think they want to experience it as well.”
On what it’s like playing WVU in Morgantown…
“Every time we go to Morgantown it’s going to be a brawl. I’m sure there are going to be some fans there, I look forward to playing there every year. Adding it in the fall is a pretty cool experience.”
FRESHMAN PITCHER BRADY DEVEREUX
On the transition from high school to playing at Pitt…
“It’s definitely been different adjusting here. The speed of the game is a lot different. My teammates have helped me a lot to understand the tempo here, especially when we get into the spring in ACC play it’s going to be a lot different than high school. Also one of the big adjustments is seeing a lineup full of good hitters, as opposed to high school where there were only a couple guys in the lineup that could hit the ball.”
On what’s led to his success in his first two outings…
“My teammates have definitely been awesome, especially the older guys helping me and coaching me through what they’ve been through and their experience. They’ve helped me learn a lot to not make the same mistakes that they have and to be in control when I’m on the mound. Also, the coaches have done a really good job preparing us and keeping us in really good routines each week to stay on the same schedule so that we’re prepared for each Friday.”
On getting to experience the rivalry at West Virginia…
“I’m really excited. I’ve heard from everyone that this is an awesome experience and an awesome game. I can’t wait to get down there and see what the atmosphere is like, it’s going to be awesome.”
SOPHOMORE INFIELDER BRYCE O’FARRELL
On the differences between this team and last year’s team…
“We’re definitely a lot younger than last year and we had some key losses. But we have some new guys that are definitely going to fit in and that will show on the field.”
On how he’s helping the new players adjust to playing at Pitt…
“The college level definitely feels a lot faster at first. I try to help them slow the game down and let them know that it’s a marathon not a sprint.”
On playing West Virginia in the fall…
“It’s definitely a great experience to add it in the fall. It’s always a lot of fun going down there, it’s a great atmosphere. Guys are definitely excited to get down there.”