Chris Lemonis recaps big first weekend for Mississippi State

It was a successful first weekend at Dudy Noble Field for head coach Chris Lemonis and Mississippi State.

The Diamond Dawgs dominated the visiting Manhattan Jaspers in the three-game set with a combined score of 35-5 and showed dominance on the mound and at the plate. After the game, the coach discussed his team’s pitching over the weekend, Justin Parker’s developmental plan and the upcoming matchup with Southern Miss.

Question: How do you feel after the first weekend?

CL: “Really pleased. A lot of work left to do in the long road ahead of us. We played great defense and threw strikes. I thought we were a lot more opportunistic on offense, even today. Tip your hat to Manhattan – their pitchers came out and threw strikes in any count and kind of kept us off balanced. We were able to manufacture a little bit and then we got a big swing from Nolan (Stevens) to separate it.”

Q: What did you learn about your team this week?

CL: “I like our bullpen. I’ve been saying that, but a lot of these guys touched it for the first time in their careers. Nate Williams has been here for three years and that’s the first time he’s been out there in a real game. I was really pleased with the way we played defense. The one error we make is my catcher who hasn’t been out there a whole lot. I know we struck out a lot of guys, but still I thought we played really good on the defensive side.”

Q: What did you think of the young guys playing at the Dude for the first time?

CL: “I thought they were great. Dane (Burns) ran out there in a close game having to face those lefties and spun that slider. I think you’re going to see all of those kids will get better. They’ve all been a little bit better in scrimmages but touching that rubber is important right now. I thought Luke Dotson was really good there at the end and I really like what he’s done.”

Q: Big day for Dylan Cupp in the nine hole. Where have you seen his offensive game come along?

CL: “I like the fact he’s getting some HBPs and walks. He can bunt, he can hit and run. He has a couple of big hits this weekend that drive in some runs. The play to end the game, that’s a special play and a lot of guys don’t make that play. It’s great to see him out there playing with some confidence.”

Q: What did it feel like to see Stone Simmons go out there and have some success?

CL: “Man, I tell you he’s warming up and coming down and I’m a sentimental Greek, so I’ve got tears in my eyes. Nate Williams is almost the same track record he just did it in JUCO and got to us. To see these kids persevere, my trainer Jason Wire needs a hat tip. You’ve got Ryan McPherson that got hurt in high school, Dane Burns has his first touches in two years and Mikhai Grant then you’ve got Ross behind the plate.

“A lot of kids are coming back and helping us. We missed them last year, but having them now gives us some great depth and experience.”

Q: How would you evaluate the pitchers over the first weekend?

CL: “They were pretty good. I still think we’ve got work to do facing SEC hitters, but we can do a lot of different things. Coach Parker has done a great job. We built a staff with some diversity with different looks and different things. I think we can do a lot of different things out there to matchup to certain type of hitters.”

Q: The weather wasn’t ideal to bring Stone back into the mix. Did that affect how quickly y’all brought him out of the game?

CL: “A little bit. We just didn’t want him sitting around too long. We wanted to get to 40-50 pitches. If it would have been 75 degrees we would have gone further, but we’re not in any rush. Hopefully we can move forward with a little more next week, a little more the next week and you’re where he needs to be. I knew there would be a lot of adrenaline, so we just wanted to be smart with him.”

Q: Are you good with the lineup or do you think there will be some changes?

CL: “It’s going to keep changing. It’ll keep changing because we have too much talent around them. There’s some guys that can step in there so I think that lineup will be moving. I don’t even want to set it because competition is good. You’ve got to come to the ballpark every day and be ready to play so I think you’ll see some changes as time goes along.”

Q: What are your thoughts on Tuesday night’s game at Southern Miss?

CL: “It’s a great test for us. We’re going to play another great program in our state that’s very well coached. We play them every year and made a decision to play home and home which will be very interesting. We’re going to learn a lot about our ball club. I’m excited to go.”

Q: When will you make pitching plans for Tuesday?

CL: “We’ve got to reassess everybody because we threw so many arms. I think you’ll see a lot of guys on Tuesday. You’ll see guys get out there and get their feet wet and have to compete I think that’s the strength of the pitching staff.”

Q: What kind of dynamic has Justin Parker added in the sense that these pitchers seem to be more complete instead of one trick ponies?

CL: “I just think it’s the whole development plan. Dane Burns came with a great breaking ball, but being able to command and that poise, those are the things that you see. None of those guys had pitched here. They ran out there and put it in the zone. Even Mikhai threw a couple of really good sliders in there which may be his best pitch. It’s just becoming a complete pitcher and being a complete competitor more than anything.”