Mississippi State has arrived in Charlottesville, Va., as the Diamond Dawgs are hoping to have a long stay in the Northeast.
Winning three games over the course of the next few days is the goal for the Bulldogs and it begins with a Friday night matchup with St. John’s at 6 p.m.
Ahead of the start of Regional play, head coach Chris Lemonis spoke to the MSU contingent of media members after Thursday’s practice.
Question: What do you think of this St. John’s matchup?
CL: “They’re good. They do a lot of different things offensively and they have a mixed pitching staff that can do a lot of different things. As we break it down, it’s a good matchup. I’ve played against St. John’s for years. Some really tough matchups and probably some of the tougher kids you’ll play against.”
Q: St. John’s had the top pitching staff in the Big East, what stands out about them?
CL: “It’s a lot of strikes and it’s different looks. They just show you some different things with different guys. In this first one, it’s how you matchup. They do some different things and have some good guys in the bullpen.”
Q: What’s your impression on the atmosphere at Viriginia and how the park plays for your team?
CL: “This is one of the best places in the country. They host a lot – they’re like us. They have a really good ball club. It’s a really cool stadium. I think it’s a basic stadium in terms of playing conditions. You don’t have a green monster or anything that like – it’s pretty standard. It’s good for us.”
Q: What do you remember from that matchup in 2021 against Virginia in the College World Series?
CL: “I remember their guy jamming it up our tails for seven innings. It was a really good arm on the mound. We petitioned the NCAA trying to get Tanner Allen and Adam Frazier to play this weekend because I felt like those guys have enjoyed playing against Virginia over the years. I think Adam was 8-for-8 here at some point.
“They’re a great team and a great history playing them. Mississippi State and them have played a lot of postseason baseball over the years so it should be fun.”
Q: We’ve seen a lot of games like that 2021 game down the stretch where the offense might explode late in the game or have a big inning. What is it about your guys that they can find a way in a lot of games?
CL: “The dynamic of our team is pitching and defense so you’re in every game. I think they’ve learned to hang around. I think we understand that you can win a game at any time and not to get your head down. And we’ve played so many (close games). I don’t know how many people have played many one run or two run games than we have all year. It should make you better for the postseason.”
Q: What is the impact the two VCU transfers (Connor Hujsak and Tyler Davis) have had for you this year?
CL: “They’re awesome. You know what’s funny, and it’s kind of the portal world, they weren’t great last year. I knew they were great kids, and Connor didn’t get much of an opportunity, but they’re both tough kids. I think they’re kids from good families who learned how to work and they’ve been really big for us.”
Q: How big is the postseason experience from them for your team?
CL: “Tyler was telling me ‘coach, we used to play here all the time. We’re 2-0. I don’t know if that’s going to matter, but there’s a confidence to it of being on the road and playing in the postseason. Tyler being from Virginia said his family was more excited than him because he gets to play in front of friends and family.”
Q: How big was that 2021 game in terms of getting your team the National Championship?
CL: “It was huge. It put us in the winner’s bracket. I can still remember us getting beat down all game and we win one late. You’re sitting there in the winner’s bracket and you get to rest your arms. That was a huge game for both of us because it puts you on a tough path in tournament play.”
Q: Even when Dakota Jordan and Hunter Hines are struggling, how much does their work serve as leadership?
CL: “Hunter’s hands are all taped up – he’s got blisters everywhere. If he doesn’t hit it, it ain’t going to be because of effort. They’ve been working their tails off. They’re good hitters. They’ve put too much on themselves last week. I think they’ll be fine this week. We don’t need them to be great. I need them to be locked in, be in the moment, give us some good at bats (and) big hit here and there. They don’t have to carry this team. This team has a lot of good player, we don’t need you to be the best players on the field every minute. That’s kind of the message.”
Q: How did Connor get on your radar? Did you remember him from the Regional in 2021?
CL: “Yes we did. Their coaching search went late so we were looking for a guy or two. It popped up, we researched him and looked at him and knew we had a chance because they played (at Dudy Noble). I remember talking to (Davis) the first night I called him and he said, ‘yeah coach, we remember the Dude.’ It’s a little easier sometimes to recruit them when they’ve been there and experienced it at the highest level.”
Q: How did it work out for him to move to the outfield?
CL: “We wanted him to play some infield but he didn’t want it. He just forced us into the outfield. It kind of held him up his first year with us and he’s been a fulltime outfielder this year and is great. He’s a really athletic kid.”
Q: How confident are you in your pitching going into the Regional?
CL: “As confident as I’ve been. It’s a really talented group, there’s some depth there, we can do some different things and they’ve performed all year. We’re looking forward to it. There are good hitters all through this Regional so they’re going to have to compete and fight.”
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