Post Game Quotes
5/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 31, 2003
MISSOURI HEAD COACH Tim Jamieson
Opening Statement ...
"The key to the game was two things -- one is the guy sitting at the end of the table (pitcher Danny Hill). He gave us seven and two-thirds innings, struck out 11 and he really gave our offense a chance to feel comfortable and play with confidence. The second thing would be our approach at the plate. We finally got back to doing some things we had been doing when we are playing well and that is hitting the ball up the middle and taking what pitchers give us. I'm happy that we were able to do that. Maybe this will get us on a little bit of a roll now."
On Pitcher Danny Hill's performance ...
"We haven't played in heat but maybe once or twice this year, so for him to be able to get up in the 100-pitch count area and to be able to go out there for an eighth inning and do it in this type of atmosphere is phenomenal."
On time between now and tonight's elimination game five ...
"We told them to close the shades, turn the air conditioning on, drink a lot of fluids and we'll get some food for them and start to get rested up. We're only talking about the nine guys that played for the most part, particularly the guy behind the plate. He (junior catcher Brad Flanders) is the one that is going to have to work the hardest to get ready again. But, they'll have to do it. We're living one game at a time right now, but it's nice to have a little bit of a break. If we had to go back-to-back, I think it would be tough."
On comfort zone of early runs ...
"I don't think you are ever really comfortable. We have played in a lot of games this year where there were a lot of runs scored and, with the way the wind was blowing today and the way that the ball was carrying, we never felt comfortable. But, certainly, you play with more confidence when you have the lead. Again, they key is for us to keep putting zeroes up on the board in addition to being able to score runs. They work together."
MISSOURI SENIOR CENTERFIELDER Jayce Tingler
On confidence of batting order today ...
"Getting off to a fast start was the biggest key with the way that we have been swinging the bats. It hasn't been going well for us. Coach talked to us before the game about getting the ball up the middle and simplifying things and that is what we did. It makes it real easy when your guy on the mound is shoving. It makes it pretty easy to go up and hit."
On coming back in the losers bracket ...
"Right now, we just have to relax. It doesn't matter who we play right now because everybody is pretty good. I will take our team in an elimination game any day. We'll go up against anybody. I like the guys with the way they compete and fight. Right now, it comes down to heart."
MISSOURI JUNIOR PITCHER Danny Hill
On his performance in today's game ...
"I felt like I gave us the solid innings that we needed.Obviously, it is going to take us four in a row to get to the next step. It helps when you don't get too deep into your pitching staff. When you spend three or four pitchers in the first game, it's a lot harder to compete throughout the rest of the tournament. I was just happy to give us solid innings and have confidence out there. The guys were swinging the bats today and hopefully that's a sign of good things yet to come. When we start hitting, usually things are clicking all around."
On head coach Tim Jamieson's trip to the mound prior to Brett Carroll's third at-bat ...
"He just told me to get it done -- not mess around and make good pitches.
Tim Jamieson
"Paraphrased nicely."
MIDDLE TENNESSEE HEAD COACH STEVE PETERSON
Opening statements ...
"We walked a lot of people and hit two or three batters. They've got a good team and the best playing team won today. It starts with the pitching and it wasn't there for us today."
On being the first team eliminated ...
"There will probably be a team out of this region who goes to Omaha. There is no shame in us losing the first two games. There is no shame in getting beat by Mississippi State and Missouri. We're just disappointed that we didn't come in and play at the caliber we felt like we could play to compete with these teams. When you get to this level, somebody's going to lose. Great teams are going to lose."
On the four-run eighth inning ...
"You have to give Missouri's pitcher (Danny Hill) credit. I was proud we stayed in there and got some swings. It was good to see that we came back and made a run at it. It was too little, too late."
MIDDLE TENNESSEE SOPHMORE THIRD BASEMAN BRETT CARROLL
Opening comments ...
"When you get down to 64 teams, everybody is competitive. Everybody is out here to go to Omaha. Coming off the Sun Belt Tournament, we definitely deserved the right to be here. I thought we were on all cylinders as best as we could be. When you spot someone runs to start with and try to comeback, its tough. Hats off to their pitcher. They're a tough ball club."
On playing in Starkville ...
"This has been a great experience and a great atmosphere. I've loved it down here."
