Buckeye State Baseball

YSU Head Coach Rich Pasquale

The Penguins started the year in Athens, Georgia taking on a powerful and nationally ranked Georgia Bulldog team, and though they would put up a fight, the three game weekend sweep set the tone for the 2009 season.

Though struggles were to be found, the 2009 campaign was anything but a lost cause for Youngstown State. As Swenson struggled another pitcher would emerge in Phil Klein. Klein would post a 5-2 record with a 4.62 ERA to now give YSU two all-league pitchers anchoring the staff in 2010. Two-way player Eric Marzec would earn second-team utility honors with Jacke Haley receiving first-team merits after batting .293, with 8 home runs, and 36 RBI during his junior season.

With a veteran team including some of the Horizon League’s best on the roster,  2010 has potential to be the year Youngstown State takes the next step under Pasquale. Buckeye State Baseball caught up with the coach as he prepares to enter his third season for the Penguins to capture his thoughts, and see where they stand after autumn practice.

BSB: First as the head coach, what foundations are you setting, and what do you strive into implement to your players with autumn practice?

RP: The foundations that were set in the fall were to be consistent on the mound and play good defense. At the plate, the ability to move the baseball and not be selfish hitters.

BSB: And as you look back with practice curtailed until February, do you feel you and your staff was able to achieve what you wanted to do?

RP: I think we were able to get a lot of foundation of fielding mechanics on the defensive and pitching end…hitters working from the ground up wider bases helping their bat speed…and we continue to talk about different hitting situations..and we will continue for another week and a half.

BSB: Perhaps the biggest hole to fill will be those of the graduated John Koehnlein. As your team’s leadoff hitter Koehnlein batted at a  .385 clip, third best in the Horizon League. Who could be expected to fill that void?

RP: It is tough anytime you lose a lead off hitter like John Koehnlein. But I feel Derek Carr is getting better each day and adds some power to the lead off spot along with similar speed.

BSB: With the limited time and the sense of urgency not as deeply embedded as perhaps in February in practice leading up to the season, what cues in player performance allow you to make a decision on holes to fill, or does that process not start until winter practice?

RP: Well we have an idea on a lineup after quite a few intra squad games this fall, but we also realize that we need all 33 players. So at this time of the year, we are just getting as many reps that we can get whether defense or offense.

BSB: As is the case every autumn freshmen are coming in and experiencing life as a student-athlete for the first time. At YSU how do you welcome the newcomers and put them in positions to succeed, where they possibly go from being a big fish in a little pond to a small fish in a big ponds?

RP: Well with our freshman in transition, we tend to do some of our community service early and we mix and match with returning players. We also work our football games, so we tend to do the same during those days.

But it does come down to upper classmen leadership. We have a great group of upper classmen. I am very proud of the way our seniors treat our freshman. Some freshman made a point to tell the coaching staff during their 1on1 meetings how the transition has been easy because of the upper classmen.

BSB: Could you discuss the newest class of Penguins and their performance this autumn? Where there showings that exceeded your expectations, are any looking to break into the rotation or line-up?

RP: I think the newest Penguins have done a fine job. Some ups and downs but these guys are hard workers, but more importantly they are coachable and we both know that goes a long way. We do have a feeling that quite a few of them will get time this year either on the mound or in the field.

BSB: On the other side of the coin, your upperclassmen, who stood out, who continued to be a strong player you can count on in the spring that you have in years past, or who is primed for a breakout?

RP: Well let’s start with our pitching we are going to count on Aaron Swenson and Phil Klein to stay consistent in their outings. Also as a position players we are looking for Anthony Porter and Jacke Healey to lean on the field and in the batters box. Because of missing the last month of the season last year, Eric Marzec we feel we can lean on driving in runs, but also to go into shut down mode at the end of games.

We as a staff, feel that Sophomore’s Derek Carr and Jeremy Banks with the experience they earned last season will be primed to break out. Carr has speed and power from the left side of the box and Banks with power and hard nose play will be exciting to watch this season.

BSB: As you mention Klein and Swenson who were named First team All-Horizon League pitchers, in 2009 and 2008 respectively, can you talk a bit about why they have been so successful under your instruction?

RP: I think both Swenson and Klein are hard workers, they locate their pitches and on days they are not, they have that sense of they will not get beat. As far as under my direction, I have to give our pitching coaches that cudos…

Swenson’s sophomore year (my first year) I think it was a matter of giving him a chance. Giving him confidence that he was our go to guy. Klein with him being a power arm, Coach Lipari stressing to let it go … but they both are coachable and hard workers.

Once again, I have to give credit to Coach Lipari …with his experience in college and pro ball has really been an impact.

BSB: How important and invaluable is it to have two veterans anchoring your staff like that? With two of the top pitchers in the league that gives you a chance right off the bat to win every weekend series.

RP: It is huge knowing you have Swenson and Klein on the weekends. It is important for your team, including your hitters going into a series that even though the Horizon League is a tough league, you have a chance to win with these guys.

BSB: At the back-end of the pitching staff, in part of the Marzec injury, you have a few pitchers on roster who recorded saves. Were there any showings during autumn practice of a player or players you feel comfortable going to in hopes of closing games out?  

RP: Right now the closer spot belongs to Eric Marzec… through the fall has been anywhere from 91-93 touching 94 95 at times, with an 86mph slider. He is our guy. It is nice, however to have Anthony Munoz, one year experience back and a LHP Blake Aquadro in front of Marzec.

BSB: Another First team All-Horizon League performer is Jacke Healy. As he enters his last season, what should be expected of him on the field?

RP: We will look for Jacke at times to move over to play 3B… he has tremendous instincts and strong arm, but more importantly his offense. He was our Triple Crown winner this past fall. He cut down his strike outs, because he has been looking the other way. We look for Jacke to have a tremendous year for us.

BSB: What might be most important to the team’s success is the leadership and experience he brings. Have you seen Healy step up and take a role as a team leader?

RP: I have seen Jacke talk to the younger guys more than he did last year. Being a transfer last year, he was looking for his way, but this year he has a year experience at this level and this kid wants to win in the worst way.

BSB: Are there any lasting impressions and thoughts of your fall practice campaign?

RP: Final thought… I’m just excited to coach this team. We have some good players but they are good kids that want to win. They have worked hard this fall, whether in the weight room on the field and they have been working hard in the class room. When all of these are in order good things will happen.

Also check out Youngstown State athletics audiocast of Coach Pasquale as he offers more insight into autumn practice here.

Buckeye State Baseball thanks Coach Pasquale for his time and sharing insight into his program. We will stay in the Horizon League as we take a look at Cleveland State next time.