Feb. 21, 2014
Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery 
Coach Holbrook
Opening Statement
We’re pleased with the win. I thought that Jordan [Montgomery] was terrific and Cody [Mincey] and Joel [Seddon] were obviously very good in their one-inning stints, as well. We pride ourselves on pitching and playing defense and that’s what we did today. I was disappointed in the way we played offensively. Our plate approach wasn’t what we work on on a daily basis, but when you pitch and play defense you have a chance to win every game. That’s what we’re doing right now. Again, Jordan was terrific. I thought for a period in the game he struggled with his change-up, but it was only for a couple of innings. He threw some good ones there at the beginning of the game and some good ones at the end. When they [Eastern Kentucky] got runners at third with less than two outs he really bowed his neck and made some big-time pitches. The strikeout with the runner on third and one out on the cutter, that was maybe his best pitch of the game. He’s an unflappable kid, as we all know. It seems like when he gets challenged and people get out there, he’s at his best. And that was certainly the case today. All in all it was a good win for us. Hopefully we come back and swing the bats a little bit better tomorrow. You have to give credit to their pitcher. Brent Cobb is a senior, he can change speeds and he pitches in and out. I’m not displeased with the production, I’m just displeased with our approach. Hopefully, we’ll get better with that tomorrow.
On what makes Montgomery so difficult for hitters
He has some deception which means he is very difficult to pick up. He kind of throws the ball from behind his head a little bit and that’s tough for a pitcher and it’s normally pretty quick. It might show 88 on the radar gun, but it’s a little faster than that when it comes to what the hitter feels. But he’s also got some really good off-speed pitches and on top of that he’s got great command. You can’t look for one side of the plate because he throws in and out. He’s got his change-up going, he’s got his cutter that he can throw in to righties and he’s a good pitch against lefties too. He can also drop a curve ball in there. It’s a lot for a college hitter to think about, especially when he throws them all for strikes. We feel very, very good when he’s on the mound, obviously.
On his satisfaction with the shutout
Our pitchers are throwing the ball extremely well. I’m blessed to have the best pitching coach in the country in Coach [Jerry] Meyers He calls an incredible game, game in and game out and the kids execute the game plan. On top of that, those three guys that pitched today are older guys. They’ve been around the block, they’re mature, and they command the strike zone. That being said, we need to play better. I’m not sitting up here tickled to death how we played today. We got doubled off on a line drive to the shortstop and it is inexcusable for that to happen. I thought that on Brison [Celek]’s hit, Connor Bright should have been at third base and the next pitch was a sac-fly where it could have been 5-0. Those plays right there can get you beat. But all in all, if you tell me we’re going to pitch and play defense every game, I’ll take it. I’m very, very pleased with that part of it.
Junior left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery
On his scoreless streak
Actually I forgot about the streak recently until the last outing and something reminded me. Of course I’m going out there and trying to throw up zeros on every inning. I guess trying to keep that streak alive is more incentive to throw up zeros, but mostly I just try to help out the team.
On his performance
Every game I try to control the plate. That’s kind of what I’m known for, throwing in and out, trying to keep the batters off balance a little bit. I’m throwing a changeup every now and then, just to let them know it’s there, just trying to do everything I can to keep them off balance and guessing.
On his feelings about his first two starts of the season
I’m kind of a perfectionist. There are things I know I did wrong or that I could do better. Looking back on these [games] next week I’ll how to throw my flat grounds better. I gripped my changeup a little too much today, that’s why I was throwing in the dirt a few times. I know I need to pound the zone better, two walks I know of course isn’t good. I plan to keep doing a little better after every start.
Senior first baseman Kyle Martin
On his performance
I feel very comfortable right now. I haven’t changed my approach. I’m still trying to go up there and do the same thing every time, no matter if I get out or if I hit one hard. I think that’s what has kept me going so far.
On the shutout and pitchers’ performances
No matter what, we’re going to try to go out there and score runs for our defense. We have a great pitching staff from (Jordan) Montgomery to (Wil) Crowe and (Jack) Wynkoop. They all go out there and do what they do best and we just try to back them up.
Sophomore second baseman Max Schrock
On his second homerun of the season
That pitcher [Brent Cobb] was really good. I was just trying to see something up, he gave me something up and I was aggressive on the pitch and put a good swing on it.
On Jordan Montgomery’s performance
He’s fun to watch for sure. He’s a great pitcher, he’s hitting his spots, he’s locating every pitch and his change up is obviously very good. He pitched well today he pitched very, very well.
On the three straight shut out
I think our program is built on pitching and defense and I think we’ve been doing those very well. I think we’ve had one error I think maybe in our games so far. That’s pretty good for our team. Obviously our pitchers have done very well, they’re locating and throwing all their pitches for strikes and that’s crucial
