University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Softball Media Day
2/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Southern Miss Softball Media Day
Head Coach Gay McNutt
"We're excited to start the season tomorrow against McNeese State. Our expectations are extremely high for this team this season. We did so much with so little last season, and now we have a full squad with a lot of depth at every position. So, naturally our expectations are running high. Recruiting has gone well and we have that behind us. We have seven new ones coming in and everything is looking good. Our offseason went well. We're tired of practicing and ready to play games.
On the tough 2002 schedule
It's a tough schedule but one that is exciting. It is hopefully going to bring a lot of fans out to the games to enjoy outstanding softball. It will also give us a good test to see where we stand. We will be tested immediately against some of the best teams in the country. There is not doubt, we have to be ready.
On Southern Miss' New Field
Hopefully, it is going to be ready in March. They are working hard on it right now and when they are finished with it, it will be a fantastic stadium.
On the Outlook
We look for Felicia Gonzales to lead us from a pitching standpoint. We hope Melissa Cundiff will have another tremendous year, and then we have added Jessica Holaway. I think when you add those three pitchers, it will be tough to beat us. Our defense is going to hold up. The question mark is going to be our hitting. Like it was last year, that will be our concentration area. We are going to look for Channika Gant to step up offensively, along with Kenya Peters. Those two are going to have to lead us offensively.
On the fan support
The fans here in Hattiesburg are wonderful. We have probably the best softball fans in the nation. I put our fans up against anybody's. We just need them to come out.
On opening at home
We need to start up at home. Last year we were on the road immediately. So, it is good to stay here. It is good to give the fans in Hattiesburg a chance to see us play on opening day. We are excited about it. We are tired of practicing, and we are ready to go.
On the team's expectation up to this point
We are not where we need to be, but that is okay. Tomorrow will really test us. McNeese State is a very aggressive team. They are going to swing the bats and put the ball in play, and that will test our defense. Our pitchers are going to be tested. It is going to be a great startup game, and we are looking forward to that.
On the depth
It will be a joy to watch them play. We have a lot of talent. We have some talent on the bench. If for some reason, one of our starters doesn't get it done, we are very comfortable with what we have in the dugout.
Senior Pitcher Felicia Gonzales
On the upcoming season
I am looking forward to getting started playing. We have been practicing for a long time, and I think we are all ready to go.
On the schedule
It is going to be a hard one. We play Texas and Arizona next month. It is a hard schedule, but I think we will do our best to every game as serious as a national championship as we can.
On the difference of this season and last season
We have a lot more players. We have more speed and a lot of backup. This year, we are pretty stacked.
Sophomore Pitcher Melissa Cundiff
On the offseason
It was great. We had an awesome fall. I think we are all ready.
On the schedule
We are looking forward to it. We have a tough schedule, but we are going to do great.
On the difference this season
Everyone is a lot more excited this year. We have great freshmen who are coming in and are doing their role. We have more to work with this year.
