Orestes(Atlanta): Despite having several pitchers drafted last season, it seems that the staff has improved drastically this season. Would you attribute the improvement to Coach Moranda? How has he helped you improve and show your talents on the mound this season?
Victor Menocal: (11:04 AM ET ) Coach Moranda is a great coach and a great pickup for the program. We have some young pitchers this year and they have become acquainted with him real well. He has helped me mentally prepare for games and he has helped a great deal with my mechanics.
Shaun, Atlanta: Hey Vic first off congratulations on a great start to the season. I have noticed that you have been DH lately, why is that? And what are the teams goals for this year? I am in France now so e-mail me when you get a chance. Good luck the rest of the way.
Victor Menocal: (11:08 AM ET ) I had a deep bone bruise in my shin and it was affecting the way I was running. It was affecting the way I was moving side to side at shortstop so that is why I was DHing some.
Really our goals this year are that we want to have a successful year and win the ACC first, then qualify for a regional and then I guess every baseball player’s goal is to win Omaha.
Shaun thanks for your compliments and good luck with the basketball season.
Timothy (San Antonio): Are you surprised that there are not more players in college baseball that can play the field and pitch as well?
Victor Menocal: (11:09 AM ET ) It kind of surprises me, but I would say it is a hard role to do. For instance, I don’t have much time to get warmed up or prepared for the game whenever they need me to come in. Playing shortstop and hitting, if I don’t get on base, I have to run down to the bullpen to get warmed up. It is hard to do.
BD, High Point, NC: What things will the team need to address after this weekend’s three game sweep by FSU?
Victor Menocal: (11:11 AM ET ) It was a tough weekend, the team was disappointed and the coaches were disappointed. I thought we should have been able to win two out of three. We have to see how we respond to this weekend. It was tough going down there and getting swept. We need to let that go and need to see how we respond. Tuesday we play Mercer at home and we need to get back to our old ways of winning.
Scott, Greensboro: Do you think the team will build some momentum heading into the post season by having so many home games down the stretch?
Victor Menocal: (11:12 AM ET ) Definitely with our new stadium and the crowd support we have been getting lately. It is a lot of fun to play at home and we have been real successful this season. I feel if we stay successful at home it will build a lot of momentum heading into the post season.
Gainesville Ga: Victor, I’v heard people say you look like the next Nomar, But now that you’v got some Pitching under your belt, What would you like doing morein the Majers
Victor Menocal: (11:13 AM ET ) I would like to stay at shortstop as long as possible, but whatever opportunity I am given at the professional level, I am willing to do either one.
Scott, Greensboro: What do you think about the changes to Russ Chandler Stadium and where do you think it ranks against other collegiate stadiums?
Victor Menocal: (11:14 AM ET ) The changes are awesome. I know every player on the team enjoys going out there every day practicing and playing. I definitely rank it in the top-five college baseball fields.
Brandon: Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced during your career in the ACC?
Victor Menocal: (11:16 AM ET ) I would probably say Mike MacDougal of Wake Forest. I faced him my freshman year. Mark Prior from USC is the toughest pitcher I have ever faced regardless of conference.
John V.: Is it difficult making the transition from a position player to a pitcher in the same game?
Victor Menocal: (11:17 AM ET ) Definitely. As a position player you have to be more relaxed when you are out there playing. As a pitcher your mentality changes, you have to feel like no one out there is going to beat you when you are on the mound.
Marc ….Atlanta: hey victor…..congrats to a great season so far….my question is who do u think has been your toughest acc opponent and what acc team do you think will be the toughest…with teams like fsu and clemson
Thanx…….go georgia tech!!
Thanx….Go georgia tech
Victor Menocal: (11:19 AM ET ) So far I would have to say Wake Forest has been our toughest opponent. From what I hear Clemson is going to be another great challenge for us.
Callan, Greensboro: How everyting in Atlanta? How do you feel the team has come together after losing several starters from last years team?
Victor Menocal: (11:20 AM ET ) Having a new coaching staff and being such a young team and in my role as the captain of the team, I just tried to make sure everyone was real comfortable on the field and outside of baseball. The whole team hangs out together and we are really, really close as a team.
tninga: Has the injury you suffered to your tibia hindered your play at all?
Victor Menocal: (11:22 AM ET ) When I was DHing during the Maryland series, it affected me there where I couldn’t play shortstop for about a week or so. It still bothers me a little bit, but every day it is getting better and I am at about 95 percent right now.
Callan: Victor, So my seminoles had to take the weekend series, but what do you feel is most important for yall to work on to make it to Omaha?
Victor Menocal: (11:23 AM ET ) We just have to learn from our mistakes. We have made some small mistakes in games from pitching to defense to hitting. We just need to learn from those mistakes so we don’t do them in the upcoming games.
Chris, Gainesville Ga: Victor,Congratulations on the hitting, I was wanting to know what inpact do you have on some of the younger guys on the team, Seeing how you had a slow start as a freshman?
Victor Menocal: (11:25 AM ET ) I ended up batting .195 my freshman year and I wanted to tell the younger guys that didn’t start off very successful at the beginning of this year to stick with it and work on a lot of the small things and they will be successful in the long run. I definitely know about not being successful in the beginning.
Moderator: (11:26 AM ET ) That is all the time Victor has for us today. TheACC.com and ESPN.com would like to thank Victor for stopping by.
