Want to play college baseball?

Trey Daly: How have the Seahawks adapted to the Covid-19 recruiting period? What have you learned during this time?

Coach Moore: “We have tried to slow the process down in a lot of ways, and express to recruits, coaches and families that everyone is dealing with this right now. Makeup is a big part of our recruiting and without seeing these guys play in person can make that difficult. Connecting with coaches has always been important and now more than ever.”

Trey: What are you looking forward to most about getting back on the road and watching players?

Coach Moore: “Normalcy is the biggest thing. The stress and anxiety that this last year plus has given everyone is something that I am worried could have long term effects on some people. Now more than ever you must have people to lean on and in my opinion God and family is the answer. Family for us includes our immediate family and our Seahawk family.”

Trey: Every college coach has something different they look for in a player, what’s yours?

Coach Moore: “Body language is a key for me. How does the player carry them self in good and bad times? It is easy to be confident and tough when things are good, but how do you handle tough times.”

Trey: How has it been working under Randy Hood (First Year in charge of the Seahawk program)?

Coach Moore: “Coach Hood is a professional in every area. Randy cares deeply about this program and our players. He holds our guys to a high standard which is why this program has been so successful in his time at UNCW. Take care of your business and do the little things is a constant message. It is a message that includes baseball, school, and life. That holds all our staff accountable, because you want to do things the right way and not let him down. No one is perfect so we fall short at times, but you must learn from your experiences.”

Trey: Looking at the 2021 Seahawk roster, what’s one word that would describe it?

Coach Moore: “Depth! We have a very talented roster and we are deep on the mound as well as positionally. This allows us as a staff many options in certain situations to use a lot of guys.”

Trey: What’s one thing the fans should know coming out to watch the 2021 club?

Coach Moore: “This team is athletic/good and fun to watch.”

Trey: What’s one thing most people don’t know about college baseball from the outside?

Coach Moore: “It is more than a full-time job for the player and coaches. As a player there is not a lot of free time when you are a college athlete.  There days include class, study hall, meetings, practice/games, mandatory department speakers/events, weights, conditioning, and eating. Not mentioned previously are meetings for class, prehab or rehab in training room, and the list goes on and on.

Coaches at the college level work all the time. It is something you must have a passion for and focus not just on the job, but the impact on lives you can have with these young men. Recruiting is a nonstop thing to go along with planning practice, department meetings, compliance meetings, administrative duties, counseling, scouting reports, video, staff meetings, placing guys for summer ball, facility maintenance, communicating with scouts, and the list goes on.”

Trey: When you hear the following names, what comes to mind? (Former Seahawks in Pro Ball)

Coach Moore: “Greg Jones: He is the most dynamic player I have ever been around. Greg can change a game in all phases in one play. He is a special person and player. I can’t wait to see him playing on TV soon. Jonesy is from a great family and their support of not only Greg, but our program has been tremendous and still is. 

Ryan Jeffers: Absolute consummate professional in all areas. Jeffers was a 4.0 student and one heck of a player. Confidence is what made Ryan so special. He worked and worked in all areas to be successful not only as a baseball player, but as a student, teammate and person. Fers has a great support system from good parents, sister and his wonderful wife Lexi.

Seth Frankoff: Seth is a worker. Always wanted to learn, get better, compete and this is what has made him so successful in life and the game of baseball. He has a beautiful family and has had a successful baseball career. He has given to this program in a lot of ways and continues too. The Frankoff family are good people and their support of Seth and Seahawk baseball is tremendous. Seth’s parents and his wife Bess, daughter Glennly, and soon to be Hammond.

Chris Hatcher: One of the most positive and confident guys I’ve been around.  Just really loved to compete and play the game.  Very athletic and talented.  One of only a handful of players to make it to the big leagues as a position player (Catcher-Marlins) and then change positions and make it back to the big leagues as a Pitcher. 

Evan Phillips: Evan is a great person that worked until he figured it out. Great guy that figured it out late in his career and is now a big leaguer. He has been a great supporter of his alma mater and comes from a great family. Married this off season to his wife Elizabeth. Great story of a guy that is determined and smart and did what he needed to do to make it to the highest level.”