2018 Media Day at Nick Denes Field

Full Interviews: Pawlowski | Currie | Morrison | Thurston

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — With only a few days remaining before first pitch of the 2018 WKU Baseball season in Memphis, head coach John Pawlowski along with seniors Colie Currie, Ben Morrison and Ryan Thurston spoke at Nick Denes Field at the Hilltoppers' media day.

Coach Pawlowski's opening statement:
"I think this time of year, all the players and coaches are so excited for the new beginning of a new season, of a new challenge. I'm looking forward to what this club can do. I know our group of players has worked extremely hard. There are two things I know that this group has done very well; when you don't have to coach attitude and effort, that's a good sign. This group has worked really hard to get themselves in a position ready for opening day. We have a lot of new faces – 19 new faces in that clubhouse – and those guys are looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead for this program this year."

Pawlowski on what he expects from his team early in the season:
"Any year, you always want to get off to a good start. But the biggest thing for us is trying to figure out the pieces of who goes where. We have some situations where guys are still going to be fighting for time and looking for opportunities, and that's what this non-conference is for. Obviously, we want to go out and perform and win and do some great things, but we have to figure out what pieces go where. The good thing is we have more options this year than we've had in the three years that I've been here."

Currie on moving to left field and the outfield group's chemistry:
"If you would have asked any of our outfielders to switch, we all would have switched. It comes down to: it's really not about us personally, it's just about what's going to help this team be successful. And if [moving to left field] is what they need me to do, I'm all for it ... It was kind of like we've all been friends all along. As soon as we all got here together it was just like we already knew each other. I hosted [juniors Dillon Nelson and Jacob Rhinesmith] on their visit and they were great guys, and as soon as they got here it has all been great."

Morrison on the C-USA preseason poll and the team's pitching staff:
"It's all based on last years results and we didn't do well last year and everybody knows that. But I think this year – especially with all the new guys we have – we're going to be solid and I think we're going to surprise a lot of people ... Now we have at least four or five definite starters. That really helps to get to that sixth or seventh inning and let our back end do their thing, and I think it's going to really help us a lot."

Thurston on the new faces in the clubhouse and season outlook:
"Collectively, I feel like we're talented. We have guys in a lot of competition in different areas and we still really don't know who all is going to play; I guess the competition's that close ... It felt kind of like a freshman again, you don't know all the people in there, don't know who to talk to and what to talk about. But we all have baseball in common, so it was pretty easy to get to know each other ... Last year's something we want to move past and I'm excited this is the team we get to do it with."

Players Mentioned

Colie Currie

Ben Morrison

Dillon Nelson

Jacob Rhinesmith

Ryan Thurston

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