2013 preview: USC Upstate

Seventh in a series
Answers provided by USC Upstate coach Matt Fincher

PSB: After what you saw in fall workouts, what are your team's prospects for the 2013 season?

MF: We should be a competitive team in the A-Sun. We have returned the core of the team that finished second in the conference last spring. I am hopeful that we will be able to build upon our success of a year ago.

What are your biggest areas of concern entering the 2013 season?

MF: The biggest area of concern is always pitching. We lost Scott DeCecco to the draft and will need to find someone to take his place in our rotation. He enjoyed a solid season a year ago, so we have a number of innings to fill at a high level if we are to be as competitive as we were last year. We have already lost two pitchers for the season, so it will be important for us to stay as healthy as possible on the mound.

PSB: In what areas does your team appear to be improved from the 2012 season?

MF: I am hopeful we can improve offensively and defensively. While we seem score a few runs, we left a number of runs on the field a year ago and I think we can improve in this area. Our defense was average a year ago and it is my thought that we will need to improve to stay in the upper half of the conference.

PSB: Based on fall workouts, which returnees from 2012 (including redshirts) look best prepared to play a bigger role in 2013?
 
MF:  I would like for a couple of our seniors to take on a greater role offensively. They have played well at times, but to make a jump, we will need a consistent season from start to finish. Our catchers will need to improve defensively. Both Luke Weber and Brandon Patterson played a year ago and we will need them to create offense as well.

Based on fall workouts, which newcomers are most likely to contend for major roles in 2013?

MF: We will definitely need help from first year players. Reid Noah and Paul Jeanot enjoyed a solid fall on the mound, and it will be important for them to play a role this spring. Daniel Seeba has shown some ability as a hitter, and we can certainly use help in that area. Tyler Lesch will be needed to play in our outfield and solidify our defense and create action on the bases.

Thursday: Francis Marion