Postgame Quotes: Quinnipiac (March 6)

2020 Mississippi State Baseball
Postgame Quotes
Mississippi State vs. Quinnipiac
March 6, 2020

Chris Lemonis | Head Coach

Q: How do you feel about Christian MacLeod's performance? I am sure you are not too surprised.
CL: "No, to me it doesn't matter what night of the week it is [that he throws on]. I know it will in conference play, but him just coming out and being him, I'm happy with [that]. He threw his breaking ball for strikes all night long and just competed around the zone. We were really happy."

Q: Was Christian MacLeod on a pitch count tonight?
CL: "Not really, but we felt like we could give him a little bit of a break. If we were in a 2-1 game, maybe he could have gone a little longer. Since it was a shorter week, we felt like that was a good time to take him out. It was another great start, [a notch up] for him, and we felt like we could hold it down with Carlisle [Koestler]. We wanted to get him out today because he will probably throw a little bit in the midweek. We wanted to be able to use him too."

Q: There were only eight hits tonight, but it seemed like there was better contact, especially when the starter got out.
CL: "I think they did a great job with their starter. I think he was at like 85 pitches in four innings. So, we were taking the changeup that was bouncing and taking some of the breaking balls up and made him really work. We've had a little bit of tough luck. You know, Foscue hits a jack on another night. Josh Hatcher crushes the ball, but I was pretty pleased. Josh had some really good at-bats with the home run and everything."

Q: Christian seems like his blood pressure never gets up. Is that accurate?
CL "He's kind of a quite kid. I just saw him in the hallway on my way in. I just think when you miss a whole year like he missed, he is just so happy to be here and compete and be healthy and help the team. This time last year he was coming and seeing us every couple of weekends. I'm just happy to have him back, and he's worked so hard to get to this point."

Q: How impressive has Spencer Price been this year?
CL: "That just shows you what confidence does. He fought back last year, and his arm wasn't totally right. He didn't have a good fall and had a good spring training. Every time he goes out there now, and you see a little more of maybe the guy that was here before I got here. I know that one year he put together an unbelievable year. He is starting to look more and more like the old Spencer. He was really good tonight."

Q: Is Price designated as your closer or is it just a matchup deal?
LC: "It's a matchup for us right now. I feel like we have the older guys and Spencer [Price] and Riley [Self] that could really run out there and get outs for us. Then we have the young guys like Landon Sims and Will [Bednar]. Carlisle [Koestler] could be that way and Jared Shemper if it's a left-handed matchup coming up late. We just have to match up."

Q: What do you tell Bednar starting tomorrow?
LC: "The game is at two. He's really competitive. I just hope he relaxes and stays in the moment. He gets to go out there and pitch like he is a reliever. Not that he is trying any less, just give us your best. The preparation piece, [Scott] Foxhall has got him ready for [that]. He's coming down and getting ready thirty minutes early. The last couple of weeks has been, 'Will run and get ready in five minutes.' Now, you have to deal with all the preparation, which he will be fine with. He's been a starter his whole life."

Q: Would you have any hesitation with Bednar throwing 80 to 100 pitches?
LC: "It always depends on what happens during the game. He's probably the strongest guy we have on the pitching staff. His body can take it. What are the situations he is in? How many bad innings […] or jams does he have to fight out of?"

Christian MacLeod | Redshirt-Freshman | LHP

Q: How comfortable were you for your first Friday start?
CM: "I felt good out there. All three pitches were working for me. I started the first batter 3-0, so I knew I needed to just relax and let the nerves get out of me. Once I settled down, it was a good outing."

Q: Did you feel any pressure moving into the new role?
CM: "Not really. I kind of had to adjust my routine and everything when I'm throwing throughout the week. I just had to get on pace for when to throw my bullpen. Other than that, [there were] no nerves or anything going into it."

Q: What was your mindset of the new role?
CM: "I was just telling myself that it was the same team I'm going to face, it's just a day early. Nothing changes."

Q: Were you on a pitch count today at all?
CM: "I don't think they had me on any pitch count. I know they didn't really want to push it just because it was one day less of rest. I still got to 82. I still felt strong. It didn't affect me too much."

Q: What was working so well for you out there?
CM: "All three [pitches]. I really used the fastball a lot. It had that riding life to it. I really just attacked with that and trusted it."

Q: Any different to start off a series without having seen them play?
CM: "I thought about it going into the week. I was like 'well dang, I really liked to see them before I face them.' Once I got out there, I knew I just had to trust my stuff and give it my all. That's all I can do."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Quotes: Quinnipiac (March 6)

Players Mentioned

Josh Hatcher

Christian MacLeod

Spencer Price

Jared Shemper

Landon Sims

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