Alabama vs. Mississippi Valley State Quotes
5/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 15, 2009
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| Tuscaloosa Regional Central
Alabama
Head coach Patrick Murphy
Opening statement: "I was really happy with the start, especially the first inning with eight runs. I think it calmed some nerves and it's a big number to put up there in the first inning and I don't think it could have been a better start for us."
If he wanted to start the game playing small ball: "No, but once Brittany [Rogers] got to second base, I wanted to get her over and thought one of them would get her in, it doesn't take much. Finally [Lauren] Parker put down a really good bunt and beat it out. When we get runners on second and third, it's tough not to score."
On the importance of being able to rest starting pitcher Charlotte Morgan: "I said that if we got some runs we'd take her out. It was pretty hot, 16 pitches isn't a lot, but it was good that she got out there a little bit and then Amanda [Locke] did fine with six strikeouts."
On if there's any value in scoring 12 runs and making a statement offensively: "I'd rather score a bunch of runs and play good defense and pitch. I love the way we started tonight."
On if her shoulder injury effected her batting: "My shoulder feels pretty good right now. I've done what I needed to do this season to stay healthy to this point and continue to do that in the postseason."
On if the score makes a statement: "I think it's important for any team to get momentum on their side. So we wanted to come out and do the best we could in the first inning to set the tone for the game. Every team has a plan and a strategy and I think we tried to do as much as we could to get the momentum on our side."
On if the scored makes a statement: "Every team sees we're going to swing the bats and score runs. They're going to have to try to match it."
On the importance of playing `small ball': "Brittany [Rogers] put down a great bunt and Lauren [Parker] put down a great bunt and we've been practicing the small things. Our coaches said this week `it's the little things in the end that will win.' Maybe not today, but in a tight game, one or two bunts will do it for us."
Mississippi Valley State
Head Coach Lee Smith
Opening Statement: "I thought our kids came back and did a good job of fighting back at the end of the game, which I didn't think they were going to give up anyway from the beginning. We got off to a slow start and had a bad first inning."
On whether or not his players got rattled in the first inning: "I think we just didn't make a few plays. We made too many errors. To be honest with you, they got off to a good start. They dropped two bunts down. I think if we could have gotten Brittany Rogers out at second that it could have changed the first inning. We didn't get her then they came back and dropped another bunt down and that moved her over. We made a few mistakes and they were playing a little bit faster than we were which is kind of expected because we've only played two games in the last 19 days. There were just a few mistakes trying to get out of that inning. Pitching, she missed her spots quite a few times, but she's a freshman and that's kind of expected. "
On the importance of rallying late: "I think we really needed that. Our kids were still fighting and cheering over in the dugout and trying to find a way. I think that is very important. We have been down this road before and we know how it works. This is not the first time we have been off this many days and we know what we have to do tomorrow. Everything that goes on today is to carry over for tomorrow. We just have to come out and play a great game, defensively, offensively and our pitchers have to do a good job."
