Earley aims to continue late-season push this weekend vs. No. 2 LSU

After earning his first ejection as a coach on Tuesday night, Michael Earley will be back in the dugout on Friday night as Texas A&M opens a three-game set with No. 2 LSU. The Aggie skipper joined TexAgs Live on Thursday to preview an important weekend ahead.

Key notes from Michael Earley interview

• It was good. The big question after a series like in one in Austin is where is the energy level going to be? I thought it was exactly where it needed to be on Tuesday night. I thought there are some things we have to clean up, but we didn't come out flat. We answered the call, and I was pleased with the effort.
   
• It's more about how we played over the course of the last month, even if last weekend wasn't what we wanted. I think we showed we can play with anyone and play good baseball. Making the adjustments we need to make as coaches and players, being diligent about sticking to our routine, and making adjustments with what we need to do better. It’s business as usual with the intent and energy level that we've had all season.
   
• A big part of succeeding with runners in scoring position is getting into more scoring positions and increasing the odds. When we get those opportunities, still sticking to our approach and getting our pitch is key. Maybe it's not a base hit whenever there's a runner on third and you hit a ground ball to shortstop. That's like a solo home run. The game knows, and the game will reward you. It's being smart, trying to simplify it. All you have to do is hit a ground ball or fly ball to the outfield to score a run. They are trying. It's just about not trying to do too much.
   
• Ben Royo has done an awesome job from day one. He probably came in not expecting to play. For him, in the fall, I'm sure he didn't dream of this happening, but you would never know with the way he has prepared. He continued to work and be an awesome teammate. He's everything you could want. He is the storyline and the example of never knowing when you get your opportunity. Just really proud of his effort, continued maturity and the way he's grown.
   
• Blake Binderup is not only a tough kid, but he's extremely coachable. Anything he has ever done that's wrong, it's not due to a lack of not being coachable or his effort. He continues to grind. He is extremely coachable. He is a tough kid. What toughness is, it's easy to be tough when you are doing well, but when he went through those struggles, he was still tough. He has continued to work. He is not a finished product, but that is someone I do not bet against.
   
• The starting rotation, those guys are all different personalities, but they are all similar in how they go about their business. It is incredible to see how they work no matter what, and their routine. They are such an example for our young guys. There are guys on this team who can take a lot from what they do. There are guys on this team who might even have more talent than those guys, but the way those guys go about their business every day is the reason they are able to have outings they have had. Or when they have bad outings, the way they can bounce back. I was truly proud of the way they went to that environment last weekend.
   
• Weston Moss is definitely in a better spot than he was on Sunday. We're just trying to keep him hydrated and get food in his body. He is still grinding, but he is definitely not like he was on Sunday. He'll pitch this weekend. He is in a good enough spot to do that.
   
• Kaiden Wilson pitched unbelievable this weekend, and Caden McCoy has continued to grow. We need everyone. Everyone has to expect the baseball. I think Luke Jackson is going to have a good weekend. I know they'll be ready.
   
• Caden Sorrell is different, though. You're right, it's quick. He is a very unique talent. I've been so lucky to coach some first-rounders and big-time hitters, but he's up there. It's different. Just from a hitting standpoint, mechanics, baseball eyes, he's different. You see it and you hear it, and it is not like everyone else. You mix it in with the mentality, the killer instinct, the plan, the personality. He hits like his mindset. There's just something about a left-handed swing that is prettier than a right-handed swing. He has got that sweet left-handed stroke. He is a unique talent. You saw it as a freshman. Man, it is the real deal. You can see how he has changed this team since he has been back, like we knew he would. He continues to compete and battle. No matter what, he continues to play.
   
• With Jace LaViolette, it's always the same thing. Be on time for balls in the strike zone, don't chase pitches. He's really good. People don't want to pitch to him, so take your walks. He had a good day at practice. He'll be ready to go. LaViolette and Sorrell are not only guys who can win you games. They can win you series. Getting back to being on time for strikes.
   
• I have not seen a stretch like this with so many top-two opponents. I don't remember it like this. It's life in the SEC. We play teams like Alabama, who weren't ranked as high, but were just as good. And it's cool. Let’s play the No. 1 and No. 2 team, why not? I've never seen a stretch like this, but we've done a good job, minus last weekend. We've been in the games. You are about to see that effort this weekend. We got knocked to the mat a little bit, but we are about to get right back up and keep swinging.
   
• LSU is really talented. Their Friday guy is a big leaguer. Jared Jones is good. They have really good players on their offense and their pitching staff. You are going to see guys on both teams who are going to be major leaguers. Another weekend where you are not going to out-talent anyone. They are similar to us in the sense that you are going to see some physical guys. They have a lot of talent on the mound. It's not going to be easy.