Missouri vs. Southern Illinois - Quotes
5/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 21, 2005
Recap | Final Stats
SIU Coach
On the senior class:
"That's why I'm so teary-eyed right now. They all have been program-changers. The kids that came in in the class before had really set this program at another level, and to go from a mid-major to competing in the big-time conferences, they've been unbelievable."
On saying goodbye:
"It's been very, very tough, because every time I lose a class I feel like I'm losing four children. My relationships with my players are different than a lot of coaches. I kind of let them in, so this has been very hard for me."
On today's games:
"We ran into a buzz saw today. We ran into two very good hitting teams. They were both very deserving of the win, but it doesn't diminish what we've done. I had a list of 17 things that I've been working on throughout the season. The records we've set for the school, the Valley conference, and NCAA stuff that we've done, top 25 wins that we've had, and I read it to them. I wanted to keep it until the end of the season because I wanted them to know how special it was to us."
On the pitching changes:
"We decided to go with Cassidy because Mizzou had seen Amy twice. She was a little stiff and was trying to work it out. We were just trying to keep the game close for four or five innings and then bring Amy in. But they just hit the ball. I was extremely pleased with Ashley Hamby. She's a kid who hasn't pitched in a long time, and she threw with such intensity and kept it close. I was really proud of her."
On Missouri's Erica Peterson:
"She was awesome. She did a tremendous job today. She keeps you off balance by throwing a multitude of pitches."
Erica Peterson
On pitching her first collegiate no-hitter:
"It's exciting. The girls helped me so much. The defense was amazing. They make it easy for me. I just throw it over the plate, and they field it."
On must-win situations:
"We have great team chemistry. We really get together and unite to get after it. We all really want to be here. We love each other. We're a family. I think that really motivates to do well.
On finally beating SIU in third try:
"I think that sometimes they have the advantage, because they have already beaten us twice and can certainly do it again. We were just so motivated. In the Big12 Tournament last week we lost our first game, so we were just ready to get after it. So that gave us the advantage in that 'perspective...I felt like," Man, this is it. This is our last hurrah. If we lose, we're done. So we need to give it everything we've got."
On first inning jitters:
"I think I came out with a lot of adrenaline and a lot of jitters. I hadn't had a start since our second Big 12 game. So it took me a little while to calm down and find my groove."
Ty Singleton
Opening Statement: "I'm pleased with our win and the opportunity to play Stanford tomorrow. In all three games that we've played against SIU, they have been played with emotion. All three games have been fun to watch because of the great emotion and enthusiasm. Unfortunately we hadn't come out on top in the other two, but we're glad we came out on top today."
On Southern Illinois' coach:
"She's a class act. She's always been a class act. She just said, "Congratulations and they did a great job." Kerri does a fantastic job. They've beaten us more than we've beaten them. I give her and her team credit for being a great ball club. We're obviously pleased to beat them, but they've done a fantastic job this year."
On being down a game:
"I don't know. I guess I could say the passion and commitment that they played with today is very similar to what we did in the Big 12 Tournament after the first loss. If we can get that effort and that approach daily, those are things you can control. You aren't always going to get a win. But if you give it your best and give a great effort, good things will happen."
On facing Stanford tomorrow:
"We're going to give it everything we've got. Stanford's a great ball club. Obviously their national ranking speaks for that. They have very good pitching, defense, and offense. We need to be on our game and we need to bring our game. I think it will be a fun day."
On Erica Peterson's performance:
"All I have to say is just a big, 'Wow.' It's exciting to watch. She is such a delight to coach. When you see someone like her, that is so coachable, I don't think she ever has a bad day in regard to her attitude. To get the results that she did today, I can't be anything but excited for her. I'm very proud of her."
