Q: How would you describe the positive impact the opening of Russell C. King Field has had on the Wofford baseball program?

A: It’s possibly the most important thing that’s ever happened to our baseball program. Facilities are a vital part of recruiting at all levels. It’s an aspect of your program that has to be strong. We’ve leapfrogged a lot of people with Russell C. King Field. It’s as nice a college baseball facility as you’ll find anywhere.


Q: The game-day atmosphere at Russell C. King Field has been praised by several opposing coaches, including South Carolina’s Ray Tanner. Describe what makes a Wofford home baseball game unique.

A: The first thing is the number of students, faculty and staff that come to the games since we’ve moved back on campus. Our attendance has gone from about 100 people a game to close to 800. Lenny Mathis, our marketing and promotions director, does a great job in creating a festive environment and doing some on-field promotions. With the music to the overall look of the facility and the competition on the field, it’s an enjoyable place to watch a game.


Q: What makes Wofford special?

A: What makes Wofford special more than anything is the people. We have outstanding faculty and staff, a great coaching staff and administrators. Plus, the caliber of education that you receive here is second to none. The people are caring individuals who will go that extra mile to help anyone who needs assistance with their academic pursuits. We have the same thing in our athletic department, where the coaches have a commitment to the success of our student-athletes. That is a tough combination to beat when you look at the academics and the athletics.


Q: What’s the most important thing you stress to a recruit about coming to Wofford?

A: The most important thing is that you are going to receive a quality education and the opportunity to play at a Division I program that is on the rise. You are going to have a faculty that cares about your success and will give you the help you need. You also have coaches who are willing to help as well. In the way we schedule our games and practices, I believe the coaches put our student-athletes in the best possible situation to be successful in the classroom and on the field.


Q: How would you describe your coaching style?

A: I believe it’s probably flexible more than anything. We try to bring in quality people with high character that put the team first and the individual second. We are going to be flexible in that if we have the personnel to play a certain way, we will adjust. We hope to become a top flight pitching and defensive program. That is how you win games.


Q: Scott Holloway is the lone senior who’s been at Wofford all four years. What has he meant to the program?

A: He’s obviously been a cornerstone for us in playing a position that’s extremely important in terms of leadership ability. He’s like a rock, catching virtually every inning. He’s been a leader and a run producer. He also has a great mind behind the plate. We’ve turned over the pitch calling to him almost 100 percent of the time. He’ll call his own game again this year. He’s a huge part of our program on the field and one of our true leaders. We’re counting on him having a big year. He’s as good as any catcher in the SoCon.


Q: What is the key for Wofford to be successful this year?

A: Pitching, as it usually is. We’ve tried to develop some quality as well as depth. It was only a few years ago that we had just four pitchers on the staff. You have to do it class-by-class to get where you want. You can’t bring in eight pitchers in one year and think you can get it done that way. We’ve worked hard to bring in pitching with the last few recruiting classes. Some of the guys who have thrown a lot of innings for us are young, but they’re also experienced. They’ll be even better the next couple of years and we’re excited about that.


Q: What are your thoughts on this year’s team?

A: I’m very excited. We have a lot of retuning players, both pitchers and position players, in whom we have invested a lot of innings with the hope that they would come into their own this year. We’ve had a lot of freshman pitchers the last two seasons who have faced some stiff competition and grown from that, as well as through their summer ball and working diligently in our conditioning and throwing program. I’m very confident they’ll keep us in virtually every game. We’re still young, though. Our likely starting rotation is a senior, two juniors and a sophomore with a sophomore closer. We also have some quality depth in middle relief.


Q: The Terriers had a lot of innings pitched by freshmen last season. How will that experience help them this spring?

A: It’s very similar to the year before when Jesse Cole, who’s still in our rotation, pitched a lot as a freshman. We’re going to be fortunate this spring in that we’re not going to have to rely too heavily on guys who haven’t pitched in college before. We have some freshmen who will help us, but they won’t be in situations like past years when he had guys pitch who weren’t ready or went too long. We’ll be able to blend in our young arms much better this spring instead of throwing them into the fire.


Q: What type of contribution do you expect from this year’s 10 freshmen?

A: We expect a significant contribution from one of the best recruiting classes we’ve ever had. Our program is at the point where we are no long relying on them to start immediately. We do have guys who are capable of being productive, especially in the infield. We’re looking at freshman Adam Wood starting at third base with another freshman, Scott Russell, in a back-up role. We’ll be young there, but solid. Brandon Waring is a great prospect at shortstop. He’s in competition with Eric Sturkie, so we have a freshman and sophomore at that key spot. Shane Kirkley is another outstanding prospect. He’s battling for a job at second base. We have four freshmen starting or on the verge of it. They’ll be quality starters or backups depending on how everything plays out. We also have some pitchers like lefthander Chip Hunt who will give us some innings in middle or long relief. Adam Wood is a two-way guy who will also provide quality innings in relief. Dawson Smith is in the mix along with Ben Austin, who’s also a fourth outfielder and pushing for playing time. Brent Pearce is another two-way guy who will get some innings and play in the field. Our freshmen will provide good depth.