College Baseball Daily continues our countdown to the start of the 2017 season with interviews with coaches across the country. Today, we feature second year Eastern Kentucky head coach Edwin Thompson. You can check out the full interview below.
CBD: Eastern Kentucky is coming off a 24-31 campaign which saw them go 13-17 in Ohio Valley Conference play. What are your expectations heading into this season?
ET: I am a very competitive person, so I expect for us to be the best team we can be for the 2017 season. After going through my first season I wanted to establish our program as one that competes every game and we did that, but unfortunately we lost 20 games by three runs or less, and nine of those were in conference play. We are looking to improve that number, win more close games and give our team the best chance to improve in every aspect.
CBD: The Colonels return their top two starting pitchers in Eric Nerl (6-4, 5.14 ERA) and Alex Hamilton (4-5, 6.34 ERA) who had some up and downs throughout the campaign. How do you see the weekend rotation shaping up?
ET: Eric Nerl is a 5th year senior who started 14 times last year and we will look to him to carry the load again. Senior LHP Alex Hamilton has the most experience on the staff, with 29 starts in his career. His leadership will make an impact. After that we have a mix of younger guys; JC transfers RHP Max Ford and LHP Jack Piekos are both former Division I players at Georgia and Maryland (respectively); both transferred from Florida Southwestern will impact our pitching staff on the weekend. Sophomore Aaron Ochsenbein is coming off a redshirt year and will have the chance to be a starter for us.
CBD: Mandy Alvarez was one of the top hitters in the entire nation last season but leaves your program after being selected in the 17th round. Who do you see trying to fill into his huge shoes this upcoming year?
ET: Nobody! We won’t be able to replace Mandy Alvarez (who led the NCAA in hits per game) or Kyle Nowlin (NCAA Homerun leader during the regular season). We do return four-year starters Shea Sullivan (outfield), Logan Starnes (catcher; Johnny Bench Award Nominee), Cole Warrenfeltz (shortstop) and Ben Fisher (first base). I feel with their veteran leadership along with some younger guys we will be a different type of offense, one that can compete night in and night out.
CBD: Have any of the incoming freshmen/Juco impressed you during Fall workouts? Do you expect any of them to break into the starting lineup/rotation this spring?
ET: My assistant coaches Tyler Hanson and Adam Revelette did a great job to bring in 18 new players, which gave our team some depth in areas we needed. Freshman centerfielder Nick Howie is from Toronto, Canada and really had a good fall. Juniors Bryan Quillens (RHP) and Casey Collins (LHP) both played at Georgia Highlands and will make an impact on our pitching staff.
CBD: It was announced over the summer that renovations were being done to Earle Combs Stadium. How important are these to making EKU a consistent contender for the OVC title?
ET: There is nothing mediocre at Eastern Kentucky University and our baseball facilities are no different. Anytime that you upgrade your facility, it shows the commitment the University has to providing its student-athletes with the best experience possible. Along with the new stadium we also have a new weight room, indoor facility and clubhouse/team room on the way. These amenities will allow us to develop our players the best way we can in order to reach our goal of competing for championships each year.
CBD: Coming into your 2nd season as the head coach of the EKU program, what is the biggest difference you have made on the program?
ET: I have a great group of 12 seniors that bought into the staff vison from day one, and I see them being able to show our younger guys the standard of how we want things done.
CBD: Who has been your biggest influence on your coaching philosophy or career?
ET: I wouldn’t be in the situation I am today if it wasn’t first for my parents who showed me what a work ethic is supposed to look like. Dick Meader (former Head Coach at University of Maine at Farmington for more than 30 years) gave me my first chance, my first opportunity as a young assistant to have a lot of responsibility with a college program.
Sean McNally (former Duke University Head Coach) and Greg Frady (Head Coach at Georgia State) both gave me amazing opportunities at the Division I level. I learned so much from both of them that has my career and philosophy.
