Justin Parker speaks as Mississippi State prepares for Tallahassee Regional

Mississippi State is set to begin what the Diamond Dawgs hope is a long postseason run.

It begins in a familiar location where several incredible postseason moments have happened over the years. State is headed to Tallahassee for a difficult Regional that includes Florida State, Northeastern and Bethune-Cookman and the Bulldogs are working to leave Regional Champions.

Interim head coach Justin Parker has helped navigate the team from 7-14 in the SEC to .500 in league play and inside the NCAA Tournament. He spoke to the media on Tuesday prior to the team leaving for Tallahassee this week.

Question: What’s been the mood around the clubhouse the last two days?

JP: “When we got back from Hoover, it had felt like we had been grinding for a month straight so we gave them several days off and got back to the weightroom on Saturday. We had a light workout on Sunday and yesterday seeing where we were going and who we were playing, it gave us a better idea to prep this week. We had a pretty intensive practice yesterday and we’ll do the same today.”

Q: When you think back to a month ago when you were promoted to interim coach, did you think that you’d be in this position talking about postseason?

JP: “To be honest, I wasn’t focused on it. I was just trying to think about the next game. When it all happened, our primary focus was on Memphis on Tuesday night and doing the best job we could individually and collectively to be in a spot to win each game. That was our focus and continues to be our focus.”

Q: The leadership on this team is strong. How much have you relied on them?

JP: “Certainly big time leaning on them. And it’s the responsibility of the leaders to go into details. The pitching staff is loaded with leaders with Pico Kohn, Karson Ligon and Evan Siary – guys that do the right thing in all areas. The shakeup didn’t deter any of that. Of course, it deterred some of the things emotionally, but the guys got right back to work and continued to push.

“I think the message was that we still have a lot to play for. The last three weeks to a month, the body of work showcased that those guys were serious and they’ve done what it takes to be in this position.”

Q: What do you know about the 2018 team and specifically that Tallahassee Regional?

JP: “Just that we hope history repeats itself. This time of year, starting with Hoover, this is the time where baseball can be magical and moments can be special. We’ve talked a lot about that as a group. Our focus has been mostly about being the best version of ourselves. It hasn’t been about the hay being in the barn, let’s just rest up or we are what we are. It’s been push. Especially after getting a little bit of a breather from Hoover. We try to be in position when we get there. Everybody talks about Florida State and that moment, but we have a really good Northeastern team first and we’re going to have to earn everything.”

Q: You have a decision to make pitching wise. How do you work through that aspect?

JP: “Pico is penning today. We’ve kind of decided to give him a little bit of a breather on the back end of Hoover. We felt like the last month of a season he had been used at a clip where he seemed a little bit tired to me. We’ve really tried to capitalize on the rest. We’ll see what his availability looks like Friday/Saturday and how we stack it up.”

Q: What have you seen from the team in the last month?

JP: “In a lot of ways, as a leader, you’re preaching all of these different idealistic points. Really, the last month, we’ve all had to live them. It’s been a great opportunity for me to learn and grow. The guys embodied the resilience and toughness to take a bad situation and grow from it individually and as a group. They’re going to be required to do that the rest of their life in sports or beyond sports. We just try to have fun with it, continue to work and push and understand that we have a lot to play for. They should be proud of themselves considering all things.”

Q: What do you know about the field in that Regional?

JP: “Starting with Northeastern. On paper, it’s one of the most complete teams in the country. They defend at an incredibly high level, they pitch and make you earn everything. It’s a deep pitching staff. Sometimes you face a Mid Major team and they have four or five. This team has 10 or 11 guys and it’s really good stuff. We’re going to have our hands full with them.

“Offensively, they’re up tempo. There’s a lot of stolen bases and they can turn a two-run lead into a five-run lead. They’re very opportunistic, they’re very athletic. They’re old on the mound and they’re very old and experienced as position players. It’s predominantly right-handed hitting lineup. Of course, they’re as hot as anybody in the country – 27 in a row is quite the feat. Very complete, well-coached and hard-nosed.

“Florida State has hosted more Regionals and been in this position more than anybody in the country. I’ve got great respect for coach Jarrett and what he’s done. They have arguably the best combination of position player and starting pitcher of anybody in the country with (Alex) Lodise and (Jaime) Arnold.

“We’re focused on Northeastern. We’ll start taking a look at Florida State and Bethune Cookman tonight and tomorrow, but that’s where we’re at right now from a scouting report.”

Q: Pico has thrown more pitches in a season than he has in his entire career. What does a week off do to rejuvenate pitchers like that?

JP: “I think everybody is different. You hope that it gives them a shot to the arm and body in ways that they don’t understand. You get stuck in the grind of the season and you’re sore and don’t recover in areas and that becomes the new norm. You hope that through rest, recovery, rejuvenation, rehab, getting back on a consistent lifestyle and all of it, you hope you get a better version of him.

“Everyone is a little different. Pico coming off his first season after Tommy John, we’re seeing a little bit of that the last month. But there’s nobody tougher. Prying the ball out of his hand is incredibly difficult. He wants the ball and he’ll be in a good spot. It’ll probably be a lighter pen just to get some work off the slope. We hope that we get the best version of him this weekend.”

Q: You guys have been playing good baseball the last month but now everyone is 0-0. How do you use that as a motivator?

JP: “You think about it from all perspectives. We’ve fought our battles and we’re in this position. Northeastern is coming in 27 (wins) in a row. Florida State has been deserved of a host. Everyone is paying attention, as much as we’re paying attention, to what we’ve done the last month too. To go in and almost have a rebirth of a season at 0-0, they have their eye on us too. I’m not sure there’s anybody thrilled about seeing us in their Regional either.”

Q: Talk about Evan Siary’s progress this year.

JP: “Stability. Just the floor of what he does and the ability as a veteran, as a strike-thrower and as a competitor to be in those environments. You saw it against Ole Miss, to just be able to get you off the ground. Sometimes, the first three outs are as difficult as the last three outs in these impactful games. Whether it be postseason or sometimes the big rivalry games or certainly in Hoover. To be able to have that ability to steady the ship is huge.”

Q: Do you think Chase Hungate will be available for the Regional?

JP: “TBD. Progressing every day, but I’m not sure he’s going to make it in time. So, TBD.”

Q: What’s the experience been like for you and the other assistants since you took over?

JP: “When you think about the on-field stuff, I think the on-field stuff is easy. They’re all great men of incredible character. They care about these kids deeply and have done so much at getting them here through and developing them through the trials and tribulations but also through the triumphs. I’ve seen them invest in the kids everyday and put our focus there.

“The outside-of-baseball stuff: of course we’re all aware of everything – it’s been incredibly professional. We’re just working as hard as we can in the office to make sure we’re preserving the program and putting us in good position to play postseason baseball. I’ve just got great respect for them and their character and how they’ve handled it. As difficult as this transition has been, they’ve made it about as easy as it could be.”