Jo Evans previews No. 24 A&M's three-game series with No. 4 Alabama

Key notes from Jo Evans interview

• It feels good if you win. To come back from LSU, a hard-fought battle, and play the series that we did against South Carolina, who was No. 24 at the time, and to sweep them shows us gaining momentum, maturity and confidence. In our midweek against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, we took care of business. Our kids are feeling good about themselves. We know that we’re going to face great opponents in this conference every time we go out. It feels good to have those wins under our belt as we go into this series with Alabama.
   
• It is important to start hot in this conference. Many people know about football and baseball in the SEC, but what they don’t know about softball is that all 13 SEC teams have gone to the tournament, which is unheard of. It is really challenging week in and week out. It’s fun to be a part of. You have to have your wits about you on this grind, and you cannot make one series or one game bigger than the other. It’ll just eat you up if you do.
   
• As a coach, it’s nice to fly under the radar. On the other hand, if you’re flying under the radar, you’re probably not winning much. It has been good for us to go out and make statements. We weren’t picked high because of our youth. I think people are taking note that our youth can play and they’re very talented. We surround them with experience. We’re not going to fly under the radar much more. That’s the thing about the conference: Nobody really flies under the radar. Sometimes this boils down to your schedule and if you’re playing the top SEC teams. For us, we will see Alabama, Florida and LSU on the road. Those are the top teams, and those are challenges for us.
   
• I am really proud of Bre Warren. Like every freshman, you have to pay your dues and earn your playing time. She has battled for an outfield spot with some players that had experience. She kept battling. She didn’t like not being in the lineup, but she did something about it. She is stepping up, performing and doing something about it. She has done a great job. She’s an athlete, a great teammate and a kid that will leave her mark on this program. It is fun to watch her go out and play.
   
• Warren’s ceiling is so high. She has “All-American” written all over her. She has a great athletic body and a great disposition. She works hard for it. She’s coachable. Her teammates like her, and they’re happy to have her around. Bre is likable, fun to be around and willing to do the hard work. I think she has a phenomenal career ahead of her.
   
• Makinzy Herzog has been impressive. The biggest thing for her is she’s healthy and surrounded by a staff that can absorb innings. She is calm and expects to be good. We count on her. She goes out there and isn’t emotional. You don’t see highs and lows from her. She has a great relationship with our pitching coach. She is another great teammate who goes out very workman-like. It’s really fun to have her out there. She’s athletic, fields her position well, and makes us go offensively from the leadoff spot.
   
• We have a deep pitching staff, and we can rely on any of those kids. It’s fun to watch. We can mix it up and not go with a set rotation or set relievers. They compliment each other well. We don’t have just one kid getting all the glory. It’s a collaborative effort with our pitchers. This is the best staff we have had in a very long time.
   
• First of all, we have to keep our wits about us. Alabama is a place with great tradition and a great atmosphere, so we have to keep it all in perspective. Their pitching staff is great and has high-velocity pitchers. We need to be aggressive at the plate. Putting pressure on their defense is key. I love these kinds of battles because it feels like it’s us against the world.
   
• Our team feels really prepared. Our coaching staff has them prepared, so there aren’t many surprises. It’s a close group as well. We rely on each other and stick together. It has worked well for us.