‘Pumped up, fired up, ready to go play’
Baseball head coach says he wants to focus on how the team feels instead of statistics, create consistency in play
Then-sophomore right-handed pitcher Brandon White winds up to throw the ball in the scrimmage against Gonzaga University on Oct. 21, 2019 at Bailey-Brayton Field.
February 14, 2020
The WSU baseball team visits the California State University, Bakersfield Roadrunners as it looks to kick off its season this weekend starting at 6 p.m. Friday at Hardt Field.
After four consecutive losing seasons, WSU looks to head in a different direction under new head coach Brian Green.
Green said he wants his players to compete for one pitch at a time and wants to see how his team reacts to the game.
“I want to see us get excited when something goes well and when something doesn’t go well, I want us not to get worried,” Green said.
The Cougars will be led by pitchers sophomore Brandon White and senior AJ Block who are expected to start the first two games of the opening series.
Junior pitcher Bryce Moyle said he wants to improve as a leader and expects his team to compete every pitch.
“Night and day, we really are focused on being present and competing pitch to pitch,” Moyle said.
Sophomore infielder Kyle Manzardo said he improved on his rhythm and timing and knows what to expect this season.
“I’m pumped up, fired up, ready to go play somebody that isn’t ourselves,” Manzardo said.
Green said he knows the main objective is to have a winning season, but his main goal is to see how the team feels on a daily basis instead of focusing on the statistics.
“Obviously, we want to improve in every statistical category, but I just want to see a different feel from September to now,” Green said.
Green has certain expectations for his players. He wants them to be great people first and great players second, Green said.
“It all leads you to a greater value of you as a person and when you do that, you create a consistency in your life,” Green said. “Then when you do that, it leads to the baseball field and that’s when you really see guys start to blow up.”
The Cougars finished last season with an 11-42-1 overall record and a 3-26-1 conference record. The Roadrunners finished with a 24-35 overall record and a 12-15 conference record.
The first game of the three-game series starts at 6 p.m. Friday at Hardt Field in Bakersfield, California, and can be viewed on WAC Digital Network. The second game starts at 1 p.m. and the third game starts at noon. People can listen to the games on ESPN Bakersfield.
