Q & A With Behrend Baseball Coach Paul Benim
What are your general thoughts on how the season started down in Kentucky and in Florida? Where do you feel like your team stands right now?
All good stuff. Our players are working hard. They are coachable and striving to put themselves in proper position to succeed. We were challenged in Kentucky and in Florida. We battled and played good games. Sometimes the score does not truly indicate what actually happened between the lines. These trips should prove to be a spring board for additional positives that occur later this spring. We are moving in the right direction.
Who is performing particularly well for the team right now?
Our depth was important over our first 11 games. It will continue to be with the weather and other factors that arise during the season. Our starting pitching must continue to be a strength. David Koerbel, Andy Chrobak, Chuck Zimoski, Blake Pavlik, and Ben Cain each provided us with quality outings on the trip. We have had some good at-bats and some good numbers. Senior Adam Martin was huge all week. He was a key run producer for us. David Miller, Dustin Dubensky, Geoff Lang, and Josh Fyffe also performed quite well. Offensively, our players need to continue to realize how important the one-on-one battle with the pitcher is and cherish each and every at-bat.
What does the AMCC look like this season? How do you think you will fare against conference competition?
The preseason honor is nice, but the end of the year stuff is what you hang on your refrigerator. Our league is ultra competitive and you have to be prepared to play everyday. Top to bottom you will be tested in each and every game.
Has anybody really surprised you with what they brought back from the offseason?
The veterans were mentally and physically ready to play. They know what it takes to excel and have provided strong leadership early on for our program. We have some youth that is pushing and making our staff take notice of what they might be capable of as the season unfolds.
What is the biggest challenge as your team returns home and prepares for the heart of your schedule?
Baseball players must be mentally tough. It is hard not always knowing when your next game will be, and dealing with juggling all the demands of school, baseball, and real life. It takes a special person to be a collegiate player and we are fortunate to have such a fine group of young men in our program.
What are your expectations for the end of the season and into the postseason?
Our goal is to compete to win the AMCC championship. We need to play one pitch of one game at time. The season is not a sprint. Our players need to live in the moment and enjoy every bit of this season. College baseball is the greatest game around!