Clubhouse Comments Following PaddleHeads Win Sunday

A Conversation with Manager Michael Schlact

Q: You have 6 games left before things head toward the postseason. This game won't affect how that plays out obviously. But how big was this win thinking about some tough nights at the ballpark that presided? 

Schlact: "We will take wins any way we can get them any time we can get them. We show up every day wanting to win & looking to win. But after a tough stretch of games, it's definitely nice to get on the right side of things."

Q: Matthew Sox did a phenomenal job as he has all season pitching in that pitcher's dual through 6 innings. How did this outing showcase what he's been good at all season long as one of the league's best starting pitchers? 

Schlact: "Sox has been great all year and tonight was no exception. He knows how to pitch and attacks hitters no matter the lineup."

Q: Your pitching staff claimed its 4th shutout this season tonight behind 19 strikeouts as a group. What can you say about this effort and how does it illustrate how this staff works together on and off the field?

Schlact: "We built this pitching staff to do what we've done tonight and most of the year. I'm proud of how they build off each other and also how they're always working together in between starts. It's a true family."

Q: We're used to seeing Kamron Willman come up big in situations when the team needs him the most. But what does it do for the clubhouse to see a brand new player in Evan Sleight have a clutch moment like he did tonight in the 7th?

Schlact: "Evan has fit right in from the first moment he stepped foot in the clubhouse. We're glad to have him and it's always great when good things happen to good people. Huge hit for him tonight."

Q: When was the last time you saw someone strike out 4 batters in one inning thinking about what Zac Lampton did in the bottom of the 9th? What have been the biggest areas of growth for him through his rookie season en route to becoming one of the league's most consistent relievers? 

Schlact: "I've seen it no more than a handful of times and maybe just twice. Zac has learned from his adversity but more than that he's just simply attacked the zone with really good stuff." 

Q: You've had some familiar faces around the dugout in recent days. Reliever Mark Timmins who suffered a season ending injury the first week of this regular season has been with the team on the road trip. A former league MVP in Jayson Newman also made an appearance in Boise Sunday. How does this showcase how much this team means to the players that put on the jersey and how is this culture unique in professional baseball? 

Schlact: "It was awesome to see Jayson back again. I think the fact that as an organization we put people first is a big reason why we see the alumni come back and hang out. It's always fun to see those guys."