PING!: Last year preseason predictions had the Wildcats forecasted to finish at the bottom of the BIG EAST rankings. Yet ‘Nova was able to finish in the top of half of the league and consequently make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. Was the slight a motivator for the team as they hit the diamond?

Godri: First of all, I think the preseason prediction was justified. I firmly believe we underachieved in 2006, and that may have contributed to a carry over in some of the forecasters minds. We had some key players, including an eventual second round pick (Kevin Mulvy/New York Mets), and for multiple reasons, we just didn’t get it done.

Although I understood why we were picked near the bottom of the Big East last season, I didn’t think it would prove to be accurate. So, yes, there may have been some motivation there, especially since we were picked below two teams (Seton Hall, Cincinnati) that we had won a series against in 2006. Organizationally, we continued to gain confidence throughout the year, especially when it became apparent we would comfortably beat the prediction and make the Big East Playoffs.

I thought our team was really motivated by the article in May when Ping Baseball marked the Rutgers vs. Villanova three game series as College Baseball featured series of the week. Both teams’ seasons were on the line in regards to the Big East Playoffs and NCAA Regional. Although it was obvious to many that Rutgers was playing as well as anyone in the Country, we were also playing some solid ball. The Rutgers series brings out great passion among our players at Villanova. The two schools are close in proximity and we have many players on our roster from the state of New Jersey.

PING!: Every player who appeared in fifty games last year had at minimum seven stolen bases. Furthermore, the ‘Cats had nearly 20% more sacrifices than their opponents. Obviously swiping bases and playing small ball is part of your coaching philosophy. What is your inspiration for the "one base at time” viewpoint?

Godri: Our game plan really goes back to what I like to think of as the West Coast-style of offense. I had a chance to watch ‘small ball’ style used to its full potential when I was an assistant coach at New Mexico State University. We would watch teams like Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State throw quality arms, play solid defense and then drive us ‘nuts’ with their offensive game plan.

I believe in the analogy of ‘styles make fights’. This blue print always gives you a chance to make a fight of it each day. Some of the variables we face at Villanova include limited scholarship monies and lofty academic admission standards; we play in a high profile baseball conference and in a ballpark that does not give up a lot of home runs. Your just not always going to win on talent alone sometimes we need to scheme to find opportunities.

In my six seasons as Head Coach at Villanova, 30% of our games have been played within 2 runs or less and close to 60% of our games have been decided by 5 runs or less. I tell our guys all the time we play the game in the box. Most days, regardless of opponent, we seem to find our way into tight, low-scoring games. I feel a base philosophy of getting on base and forcing opponent’s infield defense to make plays best suits our chances to navigate through ball games and allows Villanova to be a successful program.

PING!: Senior infielder Derek Shunk will return to the diamond after an impressive ’07 season where he finished in the conference top ten in batting average and on base percentage, earned All-BIG EAST Third Team honors and even turned an unassisted triple-play. What are his plans for an encore in ’08?

Godri: Derek has been a very steady player throughout his career and I expect that he will do nothing but continue his success through his senior year. He projects to set the all-time hits record at Villanova and looks like he will be at or near the top of 4-5 statistical categories in a program that has been around since 1866. Derek is one of the top hitters in the BIG EAST Conference and all-around he has proven to be an excellent college baseball player.

PING!: The ‘Cats lost All-BIG EAST Second Team pitcher Mike Loree to graduation and the draft, however the returning arsenal of arms appears to be a strong point for next season. Developing young arms like Brian Streilein and experienced hurler Jordan Ellis should keep Villanova in contention all year. What other pitchers do you expect to step up next season?

Godri: Like many programs our pitching staff needs to be the core of our team each year. We aren’t going to replace a guy like Mike Loree and the intangibles he brought to the mound. We have been very fortunate at Villanova to be in a fantastic run of pitchers coming through our program the past six seasons. I believe we had close to 14 pitchers have opportunities to play past Villanova with MLB, International, or independent leagues.

Yes, having two high-end prospects in Jordan Ellis and a developing Brian Streilein are comforting assets to have. But by no means will we have any drop off past those two. We have some quality veteran arms in Josh Eidell, Bill Hoffman and Gus Guida who form the core of what could be a very good pitching staff. The staff also gets a boost from the return of redshirt freshman Chris Pack, who has great potential.”

PING!: What other players do you anticipate big things from next season?

Godri: Well, we only lost 4 total players from the 2007 season. When you return as many starters as we are going to return this year, no individual player needs to be burdened with all the pressure to succeed. Our players have a firm understanding of how we want to play. The bottom line is if we take care of the baseball, get on base, and throw it over the plate we will have a chance everyday.

We have 13 members in the 2008 senior class this season and although the seniors have made significant contributions throughout their entire careers, we will need to have guys post close to career seasons to get back into the Big East playoffs. Of that group, Dan Terpak is our top offensive threat with speed and power. Infielder Ryan Arcadia (2B) and outfielder James Dolbier (RF), both four year starters, should give us very solid efforts. We have some experienced juniors in Joe Cotter, Joe Rosiati and Matt McFolling who will need to contribute as well.

PING!: Louisville made it to the College World Series last season; the second BIG EAST team to reach Omaha in the past five years. Does national success by fellow conference members rub off onto other teams in the league?

Godri: I definitely think there is a residual effect among other conference teams when a team like Louisville gets to the College World Series. I think the biggest thing is that Louisville didn’t win our league, coming in third place in the regular season and did not play in the conference championship game. One of the things that says is that we can play in the BIG EAST! The Big East was not only capable of getting three teams into the tournament field but saw the third place team in the league compete in the College World Series. That success speaks volumes about where the BIG EAST has come in a short time; having three teams get into the NCAA Tournament has not been a given in the past.

PING!: Is there any significance for you having the jersey number 5?

Godri: I really tried to think of something juicy to come up with to answer this question, but the truth is that when I came to Villanova in my first stint as an assistant in 1991 that’s the number I was issued. I kept it ever since. It’s as boring as that.

PING!: When I think of Philadelphia I think of the Liberty Bell, sports, Rocky and famous cheesesteaks. When you make it into the city, where do you head for the best Philly cheese steak?

Godri: A lot of people go to the well-known places like Geno’s and Pat’s, and for the record I am a Pat’s guy! But for the best cheese steak there is a place on Snyder Avenue in the city that I go to with my brother Mike. It is called John’s Roast Pork and they make the best steak sandwiches you’ll get anywhere.