Alabama vs. Florida Postgame Quotes
5/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 31, 2009
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Alabama Quotes
Head coach Patrick Murphy
Opening comment:
"I thought it was a very entertaining game for the fans. It was just a great day for softball. I think our team fought to the very end and that's what we asked them to do right after the loss to Michigan (Thursday) to show everyone what kind of team we have. I think they did and I thought it was just a very good game. Congratulations to Florida. They'll represent the SEC very well."
On his thoughts about the increased run scoring at this year's WCWS:
"The entire place here is incredible. The facility is great, the fans are great, you guys are awesome, the hosts, just everybody. It's the experience of a lifetime for these young ladies. We appreciate everything."
Kelsi Dunne
On what went through her mind when the ball left Ali Gardiner's bat on the walk-off grand slam:
"The first thing I thought was that Whitney (Larsen) was going to catch it. The ball carried and it went a little too far."
Jennifer Fenton
On the experience of her first year on the team:
"I think the seniors have been a great group of role models. Now we know what it takes to make it this far and we're just going to work harder next year."
Lauren Parker
On her reaction to the loss:
"Obviously I'm upset, but we couldn't have done more. We fought to the end. We've fought all season long and faced adversity all season long. We just came out and showed what we had and did what we needed to do to fight. Obviously it didn't work out our way, but you learn a lot from the game. I'm going to take a lot of things from the game, especially today's game. There's more fight in you. Today's game taught me about our seniors, about this program and about myself as well. So obviously I'm very upset, but what else do you do? You go out there and you fight until the end and that's what we did. It just didn't go our way."
Florida Quotes
Head coach Tim Walton
Opening comment:
"I have been coaching softball now for 11 years and in my 11 years I have never seen a team with so much determination and fight. No matter if we are getting out-played, out-hit, out-scored, it doesn't matter. We always know we are going to have a good chance with our nine hitters. We hit one through nine and (have) two that come off the bench to help and five more ready. I've never seen a team in any sport that has more determination, more class or plays the game the right way than the group of kids I get to coach. I want to take my hat off to Alabama. They are obviously a great team. To be able to get that many runs off Stacey Nelson is a feat in itself and we give them credit. We are going to miss (Alabama's) Kelley Montalvo and Brittany Rogers, two of the best players in the country at their positions. They are class-act kids and I really enjoy watching them play. I hate it when they get on base so much against us, but they are great players. Overall I am very proud of my team."
On this year's Florida seniors:
"I think they are very special. We have some great kids in the mix. Their maturity and how well they handle the adverse situations as college students. Danyell (Hines), Ali (Gardner) and the other four just gutted it out. Kim Waleszonia and Stacey Nelson developed right in front of me. Brooke Johnson has done a great job; Kristina Hilberth is one of the best catchers in the country and one of the best catchers to wear the Gator uniform. These seniors mean a lot to me. They understand the meaning of being a true student-athlete."
On the game:
"I think it was the best softball game I've ever been a part of."
Ali Gardiner
On her two-out walk-off grand slam:
"I've been working to try to get out of my own head all week. I've felt like I have never had to work harder to get a base hit. My last at bat I just went up there, cleared my mind and was just trying to make good contact and find a way on. Kelsi Dunn did a great job of mixing the ball up; she always does a great job. This team always wants it so bad. One out, two outs, down by seven down by fifteen, we are going to find a way. We just want this so bad. I'm so glad that after a whole year of them picking me up that I could finally pick my team up."
Kelsey Bruder
On her diving catch in the top of the seventh inning:
"The only thing going through my head was, 'I'm diving towards the line, this is exactly what you're not supposed to do.' I just knew I had to catch it or keep it in front of me in order to keep the runner from scoring."
On the game's momentum changes:
"You always have to be careful with Alabama. They are just as capable of scoring as many runs as we are. So I knew we had to keep at it and keep the momentum on our side. Once the shift did happen, we had to get right back at it. We refocused in the dugout and Steph (Brombacher) coming in did a great job."
Stephanie Brombacher
On her two scoreless innings in relief of Stacey Nelson:
"I know my role on this team. Coming into the World Series, Stacey had been throwing great and I was just hoping that I would get my chance. I knew I had to come in and keep us within a few runs. We have hit 12 grand slams this year. Our team can hit the long ball and I knew if I kept us within striking distance we would find a way to score."
