2019 Media Day at Nick Denes Field

Full Interviews: HC Pawlowski | OF Zuberer | SS Lambert | IF Sims

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — With only eight days remaining before first pitch of the 2019 WKU Baseball season against Northern Kentucky, head coach John Pawlowski along with Ray Zuberer III, Kevin Lambert and Davis Sims spoke at Nick Denes Field at the Hilltoppers' media day.

Coach Pawlowski's opening statement:
"These guys have worked really hard in the fall and now leading up to Opening Day, it's exciting. The weather has been great, this time of year you never know what you're going to get, we've been very fortunate, we've been able to be outside, we've got lots of scrimmaging in. We're exciting about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for this group in 2019."

Pawlowski on expectations for the start of the season:
"Winning is a byproduct of working hard and how hard you're going to compete. I want to see how we're going to go out and compete. It's easy to see when we have scrimmages and controlled environments, but [it's different when] when you're playing for keeps and there's somebody else in that other dugout. The biggest thing is how we're going to handle ourselves in difficult situations and how we're going to handle success. So I'm looking forward to seeing us compete and how we match up."

Pawlowski on taking a step forward in 2019:
"That's the plan. Last year we played very well, but we struggled down the stretch. I felt like we made some strides last year. We've talked to the group that we have back this year about what we need to do as a team, as a program, to take that next step. They know, they understand and we look forward to it."

Pawlowski on the 100th Season of WKU Baseball:
"It's so special. The history and the tradition of this program goes back to 1910 - we had some practice shirts [made up] that say 1910, the first year that baseball was played here. Just to be part of this season, every day we're talking to these guys about the history and tradition of the program. We need to uphold our end of the bargain and continue what was built here long before us."

Zuberer on what impresses him about this team:
"Well this group works really hard, this group has put in the time and the effort. We had a lot of guys come back really early from winter break and just over the summer and over the fall, we all put in a lot of work. This group just really clicks on [and off] the field as well."

Lambert on the players getting to know each other:
"Different guys from all of these different states and stuff. We got Sergeant [Eric] Vincent who helped us out with the Boot Camp to bring us together and bring some unity and team chemistry. The whole fall was just really about getting to know each other on and off the field and becoming more close, more family. And that's what we are; we're a family now."

Sims on getting acclimated after transferring:
"It's been great. I think everybody is easy-going. They've made me feel very welcome. I know I wasn't here in the fall, but I know a lot of the guys who came in, I know they've enjoyed their time here so far as well as I have ... I put in a lot of work this fall to help me prepare for the season. I feel like I'm ready to go."

Players Mentioned

Kevin Lambert

Davis Sims

Ray Zuberer III

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