Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech baseball fall competitive season is complete and 2020 Opening Day is approaching – Feb. 14. Tech is wrapping up individual workouts and student-athletes are getting ready for final exams and the semester break. With that, it's a good time to catch up with the Hokies' coaching staff to provide a quick Q&A on their thoughts of the fall season. Last up is head coach John Szefc.
Q: For you, how was the fall?
JS: "The fall was productive. With a large group of new players, the experience was valuable. For our coaching staff, the ability to coach and evaluate the entire group of players was important – giving us a good feel of where guys are and where they need to go both individually and as a group."
Q: What did you see that you really liked from the team?
JS: "A few ingredients that our staff likes – a solid influx of talent in general, a number of first-year players (freshmen and transfers) that are ACC ready and a solid feeling of a strong pitching staff and defense behind it."
Q: Do you like the makeup of the lineup and pitching staff right now?
JS: "Yes, the makeup of our lineup will include experience, depth, increased speed and run producers in the middle. The pitching staff returns great experience and a good mix from the right and left side. The team in general is deeper than any we have had since arriving – the product of endless recruiting.
Q: In addition to the new guys, what has Kyle Sarazin (Director of Player Development) brought to the program?
JS: "Kyle Sarazin has brought a new dynamic to the program. He is great experience in his area with using analytic numbers and video to help the coaches and players every day."
Q: Who, if anyone, has surprised you this fall?
JS: "Unfortunately, I cannot give you any surprises from the fall. I'd say that the players individually have been pretty much what we thought they would be and our fall process has played out accordingly."
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?
JS: "The three fall games and many intrasquads were very productive. We use them as complete evaluation tools to prepare us for the spring. Our pitching staff's ability to attack hitters and command the zone was a large positive in the three outside competitions as well as the offense producing many quality at-bats. The fall world series was a very competitive five-game series that by numbers was what a fan would want it to be. It was productive for our staff to see the players in different situations that will help us make important decisions in the spring."
Q: Any final thoughts heading into the spring?
JS: "This will be our most talented group since arriving in Blacksburg. The big thing for the group with be the overall health of the players and keeping them on the field – avoiding the season-ending injuries of the past."
View previous Q&As
Assistant Coach Kurt Elbin
Assistant Coach Ryan Fecteau