Earley & Co. ready for trip to H-Town for three games at Daikin Park

After a quick recap of Tuesday's loss to Texas State, head coach Michael Earley previews A&M's weekend at the Astros Foundation College Classic on Thursday's edition of TexAgs Live. Facing Arizona, Oklahoma State and Rice, the Aggies are ready to hit the road.

Key notes from Michael Earley interview

• We had a great practice yesterday. I feel like we've fixed some things up. I'm more excited to get out there and practice today. Things happen in baseball, and I'm sure there are concerns whenever you lose a game, but everyone was in good spirits.
   
• Overall, there's trust and belief in themselves. I know they trust what's going on and our preparations. I just want to make sure they trust and believe in themselves. Especially on the offensive front, if they're not getting the strategy they want, they'll start peeking at the scoreboard.
   
• On Tuesday, some relievers did some good. But if you want to win some games, just being good isn't good enough. They can get out of a jam, but they got into the jam themselves.
   
• Caden McCoy gave up the home run but also walked a guy in his first collegiate at-bat. But you have to be rational, and how he's able to bounce back was the positive. Moving forward, we expect him to be better, and I think he will be.
   
• The preparation can never stop. You have to trust it. As down as anyone may feel, you have to trust what you're doing, what is done and what works. In the game, you can't wait for a big moment to happen. It's the process. From an offensive standpoint, you need to continue to have good at-bats.
   
• On Tuesday, we felt good in the first inning. I told them yesterday there was some fight. It wasn't all bad. I want them to know our belief in them is huge. We always believe we have a chance with them. It's about believing you can do it, even when there are some mechanical and approach adjustments. They need to be coached. It's a mixture of both.
   
• I've said it a ton, but Wyatt Henseler's leadership skills are elite, if not some of the best I've seen. His skill set is really good. He is a good defender who can hit. No matter the conditions or score, he truly plays pitch to pitch.
   
• Sawyer Farr did great. He's just going to continue to get better. I'm not telling you that he's the guy, but we are going to roll with him for the foreseeable future. He's got a low heartbeat, and he's not afraid. He has a different type of skill set. He's not big and physical yet, but I need to put him out there and see what he can do.
   
• Terrence Kiel II provides the speed element in the defense, the versatility. I like him out in right field, and he brings an element. He's an awesome dude to be around. His work ethic and what he brings to the table make him an ultimate gamer.
   
• Looking ahead, we have a double midweek next week, so you'll see some more guys. It's about opportunities and hoping they pitch how they do in practice. Not letting the game affect you because it affects you. The crowd, the game, etc.
   
• Whatever we have to do with the pitching staff, we are never going to stop coaching them. Some of them are close to taking the next step, and you can't just wait for it to happen. You have to make it happen.
   
• Facing three teams is a little more work for the coaching staff. It's not a big deal. We all enjoy doing it. We know how we are going to play. In the series, you get a feel for what the teams are about. It's three separate series. We get to the field, but then you get in the cage, you hit, you get ready. As much as I love the process, it's like, “Let's just play baseball.” There are some challenges, but I'd say there are just as many positives.
   
• I’ve touched on Oklahoma State with the guys, but not Rice. We will continue to look at some stuff with Arizona, though. If you look at too many guys, which I've done before, it's difficult. It's too many names and scenarios to have in your head, so I like to discuss them one team at a time.
   
• It's the same issue we have in other areas. With defense, it's just doing it. I've seen them do it, and I know they can do it. We work on it every single day. It's about showing everyone else what we already know about you. Having that heartbeat, having that control is about having the belief. It's not shocking to me that they played better on the defensive side on Tuesday.
   
• We will keep our starting rotation the same. I believe in those guys. I just want to give them the routine and give them that start date. At this point, we have no reason to change the flow of how it's going.
   
• I wish I could play every game in College Station, but I think travel will be good for them. I can't wait. I can't wait to get on the bus and get to practice. We are good here, and we are ready to get on the road. You get away a bit and hang with your boys, it's the fun moments that are what you remember. You start to figure out who you are a little bit as people. I think it'll be awesome for us. The fact we get to go to Houston with some many Aggies down there, that's awesome.
   
• I'm never shocked by the 12th Man. My expectations are what they always are. I know the 12th Man shows up, and the fanbase is incredible. They support us rain or shine. It'll be nice to have a home-field advantage while we are away this weekend.