I'm not happy with my record. I have to quit walking so many people. I have walked 15 (batters) in 34 innings, and I walked 19 in 83 innings last year.

It's flattering to see people show up for our home games from the community.

Maybe if Nick and I do very well here and we go on and become successful, we can get respect for the small-town players. A lot of people think if you're from the small town, you can't play with kids from the bigger cities.

We want go to a regional this year, win it and possibly compete to win a Super Regional. That was our team goal to start the year. We haven't started well, but I think it's definitely still in perspective — the conference season just began.

We respect the rights of people to express their opinions. We ask that while they express those opinions they behave themselves.

To be part of this kind of stage in front of this many people, it means a lot.