Softball notes with head coach Jo Evans

Notes from Jo Evans Q&A

* The “small details” and “simple things” that the Aggie softball team didn’t do started their three-game road skid according to Coach Evans although the team played well and only trailed when the game was over against Texas. But the Longhorns loss had one positive – the team felt confident they could win.

* Losing three in a row is tough, but it gives a young team an opportunity to take a look at where it is. Evans told her kids ‘You can’t walk away from here feeling like you don’t have any confidence.” Confidence is a key for a struggling ball-club and you can either talk yourself into a slump as Evans suggested, or you can use the confidence to rally back.

* When a young team is struggling, a solid core of veterans goes a long way. And three players with CWS experience – Kelsey Spittler, Rhiannon Kliesing and Natalie Villarreal – are there to help this team move forward. Evans gathered those players on Sunday to tell them about carrying the team and their final legacy when they leave Texas A&M. However, too much pressure leads to a player trying too hard and that’s what Evans fears has happened to Spittler in the early parts of the season.

* One thing A&M needs to improve on, according to Evans, is keeping the other team off the board after the Aggies score. A&M had a 3-2 lead going into the bottom half of the inning but the Longhorns were able to break through thanks to a Lexi Bennett home run and a passed ball.

* Sophomore pitcher Chelsea Thomas gave up three runs in seven innings, but the Aggies were unable to capitalize in the series opener, falling 6-3. Evans cited a dropped fly ball and a dropped ball at home plate as little but still key differences in the loss.

* Sam Houston (15-24) will host Texas A&M tomorrow. In the last matchup, The Aggies won 10-1 in five innings. Evans sees this as a chance to “get well” and gain some confidence with a solid win in Huntsville but the game is still a challenge despite being better “on paper.”

* Nebraska has been having a “phenomenal” year, going 30-6 overall despite only being 3-3 in conference. The Cornhuskers come on Parents Weekend and Evans hopes to have a huge crowd there. The Aggies moved the time of the game to 4:00 p.m. so that fans can go to Spring Football and the first of two softball weekend games.

* Former Aggie player Adrian (Gregory) Mendoza is an assistant under Bob Brock at Sam Houston State, and Evans recognizes her as the “greatest leader [she] ever coached” and commends her job at Sam Houston thus far.

* Evans definitely has a coaching tree under her. Former players have head coaching jobs in Utah and Trinity (Salena Collins), as well as three players who are now assistant coaches at the college level (Adrian Gregory Mendoza, Megan Gibson and Erin Glasco). We may have to start a Jo Evans Coaching tree before too long!

* In one word, playing good softball against Nebraska is “huge.” Evans called it a turning point in the season, and said that they need to defend the home field as they have all season.