May 21, 2010

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Creighton Head Coach Brent Vigness
Opening Statement:
“I like the way we opened up the game.  We were able to score in the first inning.  We were able to come out and shut them down right away.  Having a 2-0 lead with Tara Oltman on the mound going into the sixth inning, I like our chances.  Missouri's a great team and they found a way to continue to put pressure on us.  Tara pitched us out of a jam in the sixth, and then in the seventh inning they ended up getting their lead off on [base].  And then of course, our all-American gives up a changeup to the right side, and it's going to be tough to work out of that jam but, again, I still like our chances with Tara.”

On missed opportunities:
“Any time you have base runners on, you want to score.  We had a few opportunities with runners on base where we didn't score.  Their fielder made a great catch midway through the game on a fly to right center field.  It wasn't easy but their center fielder made it look easy.  If that ball lands in a gap, we put a runner on first base.  Great players make great plays, and she made a great play.  They found a way to battle back and score in the seventh inning.”

Missouri Head Coach Ehren Earleywine
Opening Statement:
“First, I really do hate it for Creighton because they played a great ballgame and played well enough to win.  I know how losing is in the postseason and it's not fun, especially when you play as well as they did.  I give them a lot of credit for the way they performed.”

On the team coming out slow:
“I was disappointed in our start.  Their kid was throwing pretty hard and we kept getting into hitting counts and ended up getting jammed.  Finally in that sixth inning we started seeing her a little bit better and had some better at bats and put together some runs there. “

On Kristin Nottelmann's performance:
The brightest spot of the night to me was Kristin Nottelmann.  I thought she had great velocity, spin, their hitters looked overpower by Kristin.

Missouri First Baseman Catherine Lee
On her walk-off double:
“I'm still shaking.  We were struggling a little bit in the beginning.  The whole team obviously, not just me.  Its always fun to see the person in front of you get intentionally walked, but I didn't get the hit then so I needed to come up next time.  Any time we have hitters one through nine, a bunch of studs in the lineup, any time they walk one of our players it's just ridiculous.  Going into the seventh we knew we had it there wasn't a doubt in our mind.  Kristin pitched great so we knew we had that behind us.  Lisa with that leadoff walk and Rhea hitting the changeup was just huge and I needed to step up for my team.”

Missouri Pitcher Kristin Nottleman
On being down 2-0 upon entering the game:
“Really I was just thinking you've got to come in and pitch your game and do what you've got to do, and your teammates will pick you up.   That's pretty much just what I did.  I hit my spots and I threw on location, and my hitters came through for me.

Missouri Center Fielder Rhea Taylor
On not scoring early in the game:
“The whole game we had girls on base and just weren't getting the runs.  Usually we score the most runs in the fifth inning and that didn't happen.  Then the sixth inning came with runners on the bases, but still and we didn't get any hit, but then the seventh inning came.  We're a team that has a lot of heart and we never give up in any circumstance and it was just a great feeling.  Lisa getting on, then I swung and hit that changeup and I'm not a changeup hitter.  It wasn't the prettiest swing, but you know it just kept going.  That moment alone was great.”