BASEBALL HEAD COACH SMOKE LAVAL
“I really can’t tell you much about last year because I basically did nothing, except sit around and watch. I had to get caught up to the SEC speed and up to our conference type level. We played LSU when I was at UL-Monroe, along with the Arkansas and Alabama but that was during the mid-week, which is a little different.”
“What to expect? I really don’t know. The expectations are high and that is why I came back. Our players realize that, and they like that challenge. I did much like Skip did when I first came here by surrounding myself with good people who can coach. I read that we are preseason ranked seventh and that is a tribute to the program, players, and assistant coaches. We only have two pitchers coming back that have over forty innings of experience. We only have two hitters coming back that have over 150 at bats. We are very young this year.”
“We really only have two positions that are etched in stone. There are times when you will possibly see the Tigers with four or maybe five freshman playing. All of them are very talented and very capable, but who knows what to expect on a day-to-day basis in front of 8,000 fans? You cannot practice against that. Only time will tell.”
“Coach Canevari will run our pitching staff this year. Bo Pettit is very healthy right now for the first time since maybe eighth grade. He hasn’t missed a rotation all fall and all spring. Bo will throw the first game against Birmingham Southern. Lane Mestepey will be our Saturday starter. This way we can go right-handed, left-handed, and then back right-handed in the rotation. The Sunday guy will be Jake Tompkins. I think our team will agree that you can flip-flop them, but it doesn’t make any difference. They are all very qualified.
“Wally Pontiff will be at third base, and he is our leader. Aaron Hill will be at shortstop; he is a tremendous offensive player. J.C. Holt will play second base against right-handed pitching, and Rocky Scelfo will start against left-handed pitching. My best all-around guy may be Blake Gill, who is going to play first base. Eric Wiethorn will also have a chance to get in at first base too. Jeff Lambert and Jason Columbus have not come along just yet, but will see time in the designated hitter role. Matt Heath will be in leftfield, who along with Wally Pontiff, are the only two guys who have gotten more than 150 at bats. David Raymer will be in centerfield, while Sean Barker will be in right. They have all seen the fire, but just have not been in it yet. Dustin Hahn can also play left or right and has tremendous offensive potential.”
“One of our strengths is our setup men and closers. Brad David and Weylin Guidry are the two main guys. Brian Wilson will be the other closer. This way our starters only need to go five or six innings. Jason Determann and Chad Vaught will also see some time out of the pen. Clayton Harris is another freshman who will pitch some.”
“As for our catching situation, I really don’t know at this time. Darren Welch is my best hitter at that spot, but my second best catcher. Dustin Weaver is definitely my best catcher, but maybe my third or fourth best hitter. Chris Phillips is just okay hitting and just okay catching. Jon Zeringue is not ready yet, but when he is, it is all over for everybody.”
“The only changes that have been made our the game times on weekday games at 6:30, Saturday games at 2, and Sunday’s at 1.”