BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech baseball fall competitive season is complete and 2020 Opening Day is under three months away. During the next few weeks of November, while Tech is wrapping up individual workouts and the student-athletes are getting ready for final exams before the semester break, the Hokies' coaching staff will reflect on its third fall in Blacksburg with a couple of Q&A's. Now up is pitching coach Ryan Fecteau.
Q: For you, how was the fall?
RF: "I felt the pitching staff made great progress throughout the fall. The freshman group in particular showed a lot of development. Our older guys provided good leadership and direction for the underclassmen and also pitched really well. I feel like everyone has elevated their game from the end of last season. It was a great group to work with this fall and they seem to enjoy being around one another and coming to work every day."
Q: What did you see that you really liked from the team?
RF: "I think the overall depth has been a big bonus. We experienced some tough injuries last season and we were not able to overcome those losses mainly because of our lack of depth. I think we have a deep group both offensively and defensively this year that should provide some insurance and stability."
Q: Do you like the makeup of your pitching staff right now?
RF: "I love the makeup of our pitching staff. You never know how things will play out in this sport, but I feel really confident in this group and what they are capable of doing. We have such a great group of upperclassmen. I am extremely proud of how hard they have worked and the great leadership they have provided. The junior class (Ian Seymour, Ryan Okuda, Zach Brzykcy, Nolan Wilson and Ryan Metz) has now been with us for three years and have grown so much.
"They have put their hearts and souls into this program and are poised to do some great things this year. Our seniors are experienced and I feel that we returned, statistically, the majority of our best pitchers. We have two of the best weekend arms in the conference, in my opinion, and a bullpen made up of upperclassmen with a lot of ACC experience. We have a great balance of LHP's and RHP's for the first time as well. If some of our freshmen can get into the mix and push some of these older guys it could be a special staff."
Q: In addition to the new guys, what has Kyle Sarazin (Director of Player Development) brought to the program?
RF: "Kyle has been such a great addition. I couldn't be more pleased with his passion and dedication to the development of our players. I know from the pitching side I have learned quite a bit from him in the few months we have been together. He has provided an added element to how we evaluate our pitchers and what we value. I am really excited to have him as a part of our program and I believe we will greatly benefit from his addition."
Q: Who, if anyone, has surprised you this fall?
RF: "I wouldn't say anyone has necessarily surprised me, but I was really happy to see Nathan Starliper compete the way he did. Last year was almost a lost year for him after losing close to 70 pounds. I think he showed what he is capable of this fall and looks so much better physically. If he is able to work hard and continue progressing this winter I think he could be a huge piece to our pitching staff this spring."
Q: You played several exhibition games and had the Fall World Series games. What did you see in those competitions, that was good or that you see needs improving?
RF: "I feel like we have improved quite a bit defensively. Our overall athleticism is the best it has been since we arrived. We have good defenders at every position and have the ability to take runs off the board. I think our pitching staff will benefit greatly with this group playing behind them on a consistent basis.
"I thought our offense did a great job of making our pitchers work (especially with two strikes). We have a lot of really good athletes that showed the ability to have consistent quality at bats over the course of the fall. I think we will be a much more consistent group in all facets of the game. So much of our success is going to come down to us playing at the level we are capable of playing at, on a consistent basis."
View previous Q&As
Assistant Coach Kurt Elbin