Mizzou vs. Kansas Quotes
5/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 17, 2014
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 
Mizzou Head Coach Ehren Earleywine
Opening statement…
“Obviously we're very pleased to being in the winner's bracket, it's a difference maker especially when you're running on two arms. I'm proud of our girls and I'm looking forward to playing for another Regional Championship tomorrow.”
On Tori Finucane's hand injury…
“She got an MRI last night and it revealed that opposed to a ligament strain like we originally thought, both capsules on the end of the ligament are torn. This requires a 10-day shutdown so she would not be available for Super Regionals.”
On how he feels about Casey Stangel having to pitch more often and how she thinks she's handled it…
“I felt like Casey had better command today than she did yesterday. Her velocity looked a little better, too. I had more confidence late in the game today than I did yesterday. The beauty of it is Casey has a very outward personality, she's very charismatic and outgoing. Being a starter and being the ace is right down her alley, personality wise. Being a number two is probably more hurtful to her than anything. She's pitched these two games as well as she's pitched at all this season, so maybe there's something to be said for her being relied on more. Casey is obviously very strong, so her tendency mechanically is to muscle everything, she muscles her swing and her pitch. The more fatigued she gets, the whippier she gets, and her ball has more spin and more action. That might be why she pitched better today than yesterday, and hopefully tomorrow it will be even better.”
On Kirsten Mack's at-bat in the second inning…
“I personally thought that that was the backbreaker. That was the at-bat that personified the entire game. It gave us two quick runs and I felt the steam come out of them after that happened. We just added on to that.”
Mizzou 3B/C Angela Randazzo
On Genovese carrying the team yesterday versus their collective success today…
“I think we all knew that we all needed to step up as a team. One person can't carry the whole team. We needed to step up today and we did.”
On the team's mindset going into the game tomorrow…
“Honestly, we play better when we're just playing with our minds and bodies loose. We know what we need to do to go out tomorrow and win. I don't think it adds any extra pressure. We've always played how we know we know how to play.”
Mizzou P Casey Stangel
On getting the double play in the sixth inning…
“It was huge. We've been working really hard on double plays in practice so I looked at Corrin (Genovese) and said 'just like we do in practice every day.' I was just focused on throwing pitches that would be good for someone to hit a ground ball. It was awesome to have the defense that I do because I knew she'd get it done.”
On approaching this game compared to yesterday…
“With the lead in the seventh inning you're just trying to pump strikes and throw good pitches. Going after the next girl, even after their two-run homerun, and throwing strikes is what our coaches have always told us to do as pitchers in that situation. Coming and learning from yesterday, I wanted to throw strikes. Coach E came out and talked to me and told me if I threw strikes, we would win the game.”
Mizzou C Kirsten Mack
On her second inning two-run homerun…
“I had been watching her and was able to see her pitches so I came up and felt really comfortable. I was trying to get a good pitch in so I fouled off until I finally got a good pitch that I could get my hands inside the ball and I drove it. I try not to get amped up so after the first long foul ball I went back and cleared my mind.”
Kansas Head Coach Megan Smith
Opening statement...
"Obviously I'm disappointed with the outcome. I thought our team fought to the end, which was nice to see. A lot of credit goes to Missouri, a lot of respect to their program and their talent. They played a really good game."
On whether or not they were excited to play Missouri again...
"We were excited to be close to home and have a lot of fans here. We respect Missouri's program so it's exciting to play a team that's done extremely well the past few years with Coach Earleywine. Other than that we were excited to play all three teams."
On what they need to change if they face Missouri again tomorrow...
"I think we just need to be locked in on our at bats from the beginning. It took us a while to get settled in offensively. We have to do a better job at making adjustments early in the game and that would be our biggest adjustment if we get to face them again tomorrow."
Kansas 1B Maddie Stein
On facing Mizzou pitcher Casey Stangel and not Tori Finucane...
"We knew (Finucane) had been injured but we weren't positive who we were going to get so we were preparing for both. (Stangel) did a really good job. She's definitely a good pitcher. She was keeping the ball down and we weren't making adjustments like we need to."
On playing against Missouri...
"I think it's fun when you play against any team in post season. We're really excited to be here. It's definitely fun reliving the old rivalry. I was able to play here my freshman year and it's always fun when there's more than just playing for yourself but for your school. I think it's fun."
On having to make up for lost ground after Missouri scored in the second inning...
"We've talked all throughout the season that when you get punched, you want to get back and punch back. I don't think we did as good of a job as we have in the past or as good as I think we should've. In post season especially, you expect for teams to come out and fight from the start. When you get punched like that, you have to have a better mindset to go right back at it instead of getting in a lull and waiting for something to happen."
