1. Who do you expect to be your toughest WCC series against the West Division?
Each series in the West Coast Conference is truly at test. In the West Division, since I just received your question after just being swept by Loyola Marymount, I would say LMU. There are many different match ups that can cause problems for everyone. In our conference over the years the competition has thus been fierce from top to bottom and that's why we play the games.

2. You guys have been playing pretty well so far Coach, what is the outlook for the rest of the season?
I have been very proud of the way our team has competed so far this year. As you know, we are very young and start four to five freshmen and two sophomores a game. These young players have handled the jump to Division I baseball very well and will continue to im prove as the season progresses. I believe we will continue to improve during the season and if we can get a little stronger pitching we could have a successful season.

3. Coach, what characteristic stands out to you about a team coached by Rich Hill now at San Diego? I have had the opportunity to be an assistant coach for Coach Hill when he was at USF. From that time, and now coaching against his teams, I think one of the main characteristics of his teams are the way they run the bases. They are very aggressive and try to put a lot of pressure on your defense. They are always trying to get another 90 feet.

4. Was losing Mark Teahen to the MLB draft tough? Bryan Byrne seems to be filling in nicely this season. Do you know how Teahen is doing in the A's organization?
Losing a Mark Teahen is always tough for your program, both on and off the field, but we knew this was probably going to happen after his freshman year. We moved Mark from second base to third base because we felt that's where his future was going to be. Mark is now playing for the Modesto A's in the California League (High A Ball). We are very fortunate to have been able to fill Mark's third base position with another fine player, freshman Bryan Byrne. Bryan has done an outstanding job for us and we are excited to know he will be with us for the next few seasons. He also has a bright future.

5. Coach Baptista, when was the last time SMC had a catcher who could swing the bat as well as Nick Conte is now? What has been the reason for his tremendous improvement? Good luck with the rest of the season.
I am not sure when SMC had a catcher that has put up the kind of numbers Nick Conte has this season. Nick came into the program as a real good catch and throw guy. He works tremendously hard on his game, both offensively and defensively. He's the first guy on the field and the last guy to leave. it think his improvement has come from his hard work and physical maturity.

6. I'm not a big fan of the DH position. What are your thoughts on the DH?
Being an ex-pitcher, I was probably the reason they instituted the DH in college baseball because I couldn't hit the breaking ball. Now seriously, I am a big National League fan and like to watch the game played nine versus nine. Through my experiences in coaching (28 years), high school (15) and college baseball (13), the DH probably helps keep more players in the game of baseball longer. I think with sports becoming so specialized, this is just a way for baseball to lengthen a players career whose talent is strictly hitting the ball. Also, more runs seem to make the game more exciting.

7. Who has been the biggest surprise on the Gaels' team this season? The biggest surprise was how well our two young freshmen have taken over on the left side of our infield. Bryan Byrne (3B) and Gilbert Gil (SS) have been doing great job for us this year. They had to replace two all-conference and drafted players in Mark Teahen (3B) and Brett Wayne (SS).

8. Coach, what aspect of coaching do you enjoy the most and why? Thank you.,br> I enjoy developing players. It's great to watch the progress of an incoming freshman through his junior and senior years. To watch the players grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. All of these characteristics are essential in developing the total player. To see the players go on and be successful after he has been in your program is very rewarding.

9. Coach Baptista, I've been a long time follower of SMC baseball and the WCC in general. You've done a great job turning the Gaels' program around. My question is, it seems this year that the league as a whole has been inconsistent. A team will beat a top ranked team but then falter against a team they should be able to beat. Is this the nature of college baseball? Any team being able to beat anyone on a given day. Thanks and keep up the good work.
First of all, thank you very much. I think this is what is great about our game and why we play the games. The favorites on paper still need to execute on game day against the underdog. The game of baseball is such a game of match ups and this is why you see some inconsistencies. Mid-week games are always a challenge for everyone and I think this is where you see the so called upsets. Pitching controls many of these situations mid-week.