ITG Next spoke with Providence baseball head coach Richard Mackiewitz about the Stallions’ season so far, playing a challenging schedule, and more.
Q: With your team off to a strong start to the season, what are your thoughts on the overall play up to this point?
A: We have been extremely competitive this year and I am very proud of this team. We have a month left to clean up our pitching staff and will be a dangerous team in the playoffs. Our schedule is ranked the hardest in the entire state of Florida, so the boys will be plenty battle tested.
Q: Speaking of that, your team has played a schedule that includes numerous teams from the states of Alabama and Georgia, such as Central-Phenix City, Denmark, Tatnall Square, and Wesleyan. How do you that kind of out-of-state competition will help this group as the season goes along?
A: I have always loved how Georgia teams compete. It seems like high school sports in Georgia mean more than they do in Florida, and it shows. Every time we play those teams, it feels like a playoff game.
Q: How would you say this team compares to some of your previous groups at Providence, both on and off the field?
A: This team is not nearly as talented as teams of the past, but they have a knack for being in every game regardless of who we play. They also have the highest team GPA in school history with a 3.87!
Q: Lastly, what are some goals that this Providence baseball team has or wants to accomplish over the next month or two?
A: The top of the list would be to not walk anyone in the bottom of the lineup, as that has bitten us this year. I would like to see opposing hitters on or out in three pitches or less. This would help our team incredibly.
