May 21, 2010
DePaul Head Coach Eugene Lenti
On the game-winning hit by Ashley Conrad…
“Well, it was just a base hit, but she dove for it. That's a senior out there in right field and she knows the rules of a corner outfielder and she knows that you don't dive for the ball. But she tried to make a spectacular play when all you need to do is just stop the ball. The runner on first isn't that fast; then our cutoff has trouble getting the ball out of he glove and commits and error then we have three runs score instead of one. Then the next kid grounded out. It wasn't great execution on their part, it was just a single down the first-base line and in that case, the worst thing that can happen is they score one run. You can only coach them so far, but ultimately they are the ones playing the game. Shea (Warren) knows she's not supposed to dive for that ball, but she didn't realize that until after the fact.
On executing routine plays in the NCAA Tournament…
“There are no excuses; you need to do it or not do it. This is the time of year where the good players step up when they need to step up. They just didn't step up today.
On how to get the team to bounce back…
“You just have to let it go, there is nothing you can do about it. It is in the past. You can only focus on what you have left to do in the future. Obviously the formula for success in the NCAA Tournament is good defense, quality pitching and timely hitting. If you don't do that you're on the bus headed home and you can pack your bags and hit the golf course Monday. So we either do it or don't get it done tomorrow.
Illinois Head Coach Terri Sullivan
Opening Statement…
“In the first game of the tournament, you never really know what to expect and I thought we came out a little non-aggressive at the plate and we have really struggled against their starting pitcher for about four years so it was nice to see some better strikes as the game moved on. But I thought Monica Perry pitched a good game for us – she was hitting her spots early. She didn't let them get too much momentum and didn't allow them to get on the bases and do a lot of running and then Ashley (Conrad) got a big hit for us. And we got some solid defense from Z (Danielle Zymkowitz) as we always do, so there you have it.
Illinois Centerfielder Ashley Conrad
On scoring on her game-winning hit…
"It was huge, I mean we wanted to play DePaul to start so I was so pumped to go up there and hit in that situation. I was just trying to make good contact and I guess I did that today.