Tuscaloosa Softball Regional Quotes
5/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 20, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - -
Alabama Quotes
Head Coach Patrick Murphy
Opening comments on hosting the regional:
"I think it should be a really exciting weekend since we have three newcomers to the NCAA Tournament and I congratulate UAB, Alcorn State and Lipscomb for making it to the tournament and I hope they have a great weekend and I hope we show them a lot of hospitality.
"We're excited to be hosting again. It's a lot of fun to play at home. I know ticket sales have been going very well and hopefully all three schools will bring a lot of fans. It should be a great atmosphere for college softball."
On being the favorite and facing teams with an underdog mentality:
"The entire team realizes you can't take anyone lightly. We say 'respect everyone, fear no one' and the best way to come out and respect an opponent is to come out and play your best. If you just come out and go through the motions, you're not respecting the opponent at all. For the most part our team has respected its opponents all year long. Where we were supposed to win a game, we won a game. That is probably why we are seeded No. 1, because we haven't really stubbed our toe against anybody. We realize what is at stake and I don't think anybody is going to take anyone lightly."
On how his freshmen are prepared for the postseason:
"We got in three games at the SEC Tournament which was awesome for us and that is a do-or-die situation, there is no double elimination there, you lose and you're done. I think it was kind of neat for the freshmen to get to go through that. We had two tough games with the Tennessee game in the semifinal and the LSU game for the championship and they got a little taste of it. They've all been in ASA tournaments. Braud was on two high school state championship teams in Oregon. They all know that postseason feeling, so I think they'll be fine."
On his plan for pitching this weekend:
"Lauren Sewell is going to start the first game for us and we'll go from there."
On why he is throwing freshman Lauren Sewell against Alcorn State:
"I think she matches up very well with them. We've seen scores from them the last couple of weeks and some of the pitchers they have faced and she is very similar to those pitchers. She is definitely fresh and ready to go. Vann [Stuedeman, pitching coach], said Wednesday that Lauren had her best bullpen session of the year and we decided to go with her."
Infielder/pitcher Charlotte Morgan
On how she shares experience and expectations of the NCAA Tournament with the five freshmen on the team:
"Just like Coach Murphy was saying, just because its postseason doesn't mean any part of the game changes. Everything is the same; the way we prepare is the same. The game doesn't change at all now that it is the postseason. The message we send as upperclassmen is to stay relaxed, play the same game you've been playing, prepare the same way you've prepared all season and go out there and do what you've been doing. We try to keep them relaxed and make them realize that we are all together. It is all of us, not just one single person. If someone makes an error, we're going to be right there behind you. You don't have all the weight on your shoulders. I think that is the biggest thing, to just play it like any other game. Never make a game bigger than what it is."
On being within three wins of tying the school win streak record:
"Honestly, I didn't even know we were three games away from doing that. We don't look at all of the outside stuff like records, what the press says, having the No. 1 seed, those are all outside things. We are focusing on what we have to do as a team, what we've been doing. If the outcome comes to where we reach a record, then we'll embrace it at that time, but we don't talk about it or think about it until when that time comes."
On whether she has tried to savor her senior season:
"Your last year definitely flies by and one of my goals has been to enjoy it and have more fun, because I am always very serious on the field. I'm definitely trying to just have fun and help my teammates as much as I can, spreading my knowledge. I'll try to savor every moment, because they never last. At the same time I'm trying to not change too much."
On everyone wanting to take down No. 1 seeded Alabama and their win streak:
"I think I can speak collectively for the team in saying it is a great honor and we enjoy the respect that we received Sunday night. We're not letting it mean anything to us that there is a bull's eye on our back. Once we let it mean something to us, that is when it starts to get in our heads and affect our performance. We are not letting that affect us. We don't think about it. No. 1 seed, that is for yearbooks and for you all to write about. We're going to go out and play the same game that we've been playing. Whatever opponent steps out on the field, that's who we'll play. That's who we'll prepare for, do everything the same as we have all season, in the SEC Tournament and now in the postseason. That is definitely the mental part of the game that we'll bring into the postseason."
Pitcher Kelsi Dunne
On how you share experience of the NCAA Tournament with the five freshmen on the team:
"Even though it is the postseason and that is something they haven't experienced, nothing changes now for us. I think our youngsters have definitely shown a lot of maturity as the season has gone on and they've only gotten better. The only thing we can do is play our best each and every play. They know that is what they have to focus on and we know that is what we have to focus on as a team."
On pitching three straight games to win the SEC Tournament:
"It's tough pitching three games in a row, but that is where the mental toughness comes in. I think great credit goes to Vann Stuedeman, our pitching coach, and the way that she has prepared us this season to be able to last and pitch late into games several times in a row. Michelle Diltz our strength coach, she got us in great condition and our endurance has been a lot better this year and I think that has helped us to be able to last longer and pitch whenever we are called upon."
On her feelings when Coach Murphy told her she was starting the SEC Championship Game:
"Whenever he calls my name I'm always ready. It was incredible to be able to be a part of the experience of pitching in all the games and helping our team get three victories to win the SEC Tournament. It was incredible."
Infielder Kayla Braud
On entering the postseason with Alabama less than a year after following them in the postseason last year:
"It's an incredible feeling. I've watched them the last two years, waiting with anticipation of being able to make an impact in the postseason and now that I get to go through it, I'm extremely excited. Like Charlotte and Kelsi said, it is the same game, we are going to approach it the same and go out with the same mentality and we are going to do really well if we do all of that."
Alcorn State Quotes
Head Coach Kevin Montgomery
On his expectations heading into NCAA play:
"Our expectation is to come in and have a good time, play well, and just try and shock the world. We realize that we are playing the No. 1 team, and that they have expectations and we have an opportunity. We are just going to try to maximize on the opportunity that we have."
On winning the SWAC title:
"I wouldn't say we shocked the SWAC. They expect us to be there as well, but we have just been a little bit of an unlucky team the past few years. I got here in 2006, and we were in the championship then. We felt like we should have beaten Mississippi Valley State that year. I think we expect to win the conference, and this year we finally did it."
On his thoughts playing in the Tuscaloosa regional:
"I wasn't excited, but I was expecting Alabama. I think the look on the girls' faces was like 'Wow, how did we get the No. 1 team in the nation?' Like I said, it's an expectation for Alabama and an opportunity for us, so we are happy to have it."
On why his team has hit so many triples this season:
"Well, it is definitely not speed [laughter]. We are a good hitting ball club, and those triples have come in big spots. Teams have underestimated some of the girls, and they put the ball in the big gaps. We are going to run and make you throw us out. We aren't that fast, but we will run the bases."
On playing in front of an anticipated big crowd:
"This year, we haven't played in front of a big crowd, but we have played big teams like Ole Miss and Mississippi State, who host big crowds. But we haven't played in front of big crowds because we played them during the week, not on the weekends. We aren't new to the big crowds. We might not be acclimated to this atmosphere, but we aren't new to crowds."
On how you prepare to face Alabama:
"I don't think you prepare for Alabama, you just prepare to be yourself. I hope they are willing to prepare for us, because if they come in nonchalant, they may be a little surprised. I think my girls are eager, maybe have a little butterflies, but ready to play."
On the team's aggressive base running:
"We have a couple of girls that can really run. We are going to bring it to Alabama and play our game. If they throw out 15 girls, that means we had 15 girls on base. If we get on base, we are going to try to run in good spots and do the things that we have been doing to get here. We expect to be here."
Infielder Christine Garcia
On how the team has hit so many triples:
"After rounding second, you either go or you don't, and if you do, you just have to hope the throw isn't good. I have just gotten lucky to hit a few triples this year."
On preparing to play Alabama:
"We are focused on ourselves instead of Alabama and how hard they hit it or how fast they are. We just have to go out and make the routine plays, hit the pitches we are supposed to hit, and play hard. We have to play our best and do what we can, and the rest is in God's hands."
Pitcher Jennie Hatch
On what she has to do to slow down Alabama's offense:
"My spin has to be on point. I just have to throw the ball like I can. They have to hit me. I have the ball in my hand."
UAB Quotes
Head Coach Marla Townsend
On opening play in the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional:
"First I want to start off by saying that UAB softball is very excited to be here in Tuscaloosa at our first ever NCAA Regional. It seems very deserving. I think this team has done everything that the NCAA asks from the beginning of the year until now, especially being No. 38 in the RPI and leading Conference USA. We are very excited to represent not only UAB and Conference USA, but the NCAA as well. We are looking forward to a good weekend of softball."
On the depth of the pitching staff:
"That's very important. We have Alisha (Smith) as a junior, Amber Torres as a sophomore, and Lauren Webster as a freshman. We really use all three of them and they complement each other very well. We are looking forward to starting Alisha tomorrow, and then either Amber or Lauren can come in if needed. We are pleased about the way they work together and help each other improve. They are very solid defensively as well."
On how junior college recruiting has been important to the success of the program:
"When we started the program in 2000, over half the team were junior college transfers. Usually when you are recruiting, you are looking at juniors and seniors in high school who will come in as freshman. I will say I am blessed to run across these two ladies [Alisha Smith and Martina Landrum]. Alisha came in and played us in the fall of 2008, or 2009 maybe, and completely shut us down. If you are from Birmingham, you are going to know Alisha Smith and her reputation from high school. I was very pleased when she committed to come to UAB.
Then you have Martina Landrum, who we are very thankful for her uncle, who has some ties with [men's basketball] Coach [Mike] Davis. We had the privilege of watching her play in junior college nationals. These two are even better people than they are athletes, and that means a lot too. It means they have leadership roles on this team. Alisha has been here one year, and Martina was injured her first year, so this is her third year here. The leadership they provide is just as important as the athletic ability."
On playing in the same regional as the No. 1 seed:
"This is absolutely where we want to be. Why not play the No. 1 team in the country right now? We could focus on the success of Alabama and their winning streak, but honestly what I have control over is my 18 athletes. My mindset coming into this weekend is this is a new season. Everything that the other teams have done up to this point helps build momentum, but everybody starts over now.
The double-elimination tournament is huge. There are not a lot of them in the NCAA. We are focused on playing to our potential and playing our best, and most importantly relaxing. After the game we played here, we were shaking hands and Coach Patrick Murphy said to me, 'Coach, come back down for Regionals. We would love to host you guys for Regionals.'
That showed, with the respect and friendship that I have with Patrick Murphy, that he had confidence in us. I think that inspired me, and the athletes. So this is absolutely, 100 percent where we want to be. We still have our best ball to be played. Knowing that we are here, that we are going to have local support, and knowing that the youth of the state of Alabama are going to be here means a lot to us. This is exactly where we want to be."
On having faced both Lipscomb and Alabama twice this season:
"We know Lipscomb has a dominant pitcher, and Alabama has a winning streak and an outstanding team, but it still comes back to us taking care of business. We have to stay relaxed and face this game as just another game."
On the importance of staying relaxed:
"A week ago we went into Houston and thought we were relaxed, but we had a lot of time on our hands. We arrived Tuesday night, practiced on Wednesday, but didn't play until 7 p.m. that night. So where we thought we were relaxed, we learned a little from it. We made a commitment that if we got another opportunity, we would come in and stay relaxed. The best way to do that is just stay in your normal routine. The game of football they played, the same hitting routine, the same batting routine, that is what is going to help them stay relaxed. They are going to be excited, but they can take the excitement and turn it into something great.
If you are tight, your muscles tense up, and that is when more errors are committed. We ask our athletes to play for the team. When you play for the team, there is no one person that is bigger. It is the same thing with each game. Whether it has been a one-run win, one-run loss, or a blowout, they are all equal in getting us to the postseason."
Senior Outfielder Martina Landrum
On playing in the Tuscaloosa Regional:
"It is very exciting. We are happy to play here, closer to home, so we can have more support. People believe in us and know we have potential. From the beginning of the season, everyone saw that we had potential to take it this far."
On having already faced Lipscomb and Alabama twice this season:
"They [Lipscomb] are a very good team. We split with them at their place. The first game, unfortunately we lost, but we came out and made adjustments in the second game. We put the ball in play more and had more aggressive at bats. They are a good team and are going to put up some competition, so we are ready for that. We know how to make the adjustments. We know what they have and what they are going to bring into the game."
Pitcher Alisha Smith
On how the other pitchers on the team take pressure off of her:
"In the past, I have never had depth behind me. It takes a lot off my shoulders knowing I have people behind me who can pick up my slack, because I am not always on my best game. It is comforting knowing that there is somebody else behind me."
On not being content just reaching the regional round:
"We can't just be happy that we made it. We have to go out and prove ourselves. We have to play our game, go hard, and give it everything we have. We know we are capable of going further. We know we are capable of winning it, I really believe that. We have to believe in ourselves in order to get the job done."
Lipscomb Quotes
Head Coach Kristin Ryman
Opening comments on participating in the Regional:
"We are just really excited to be here. This is obviously a new experience for us, as it is for two other teams in this regional. We are excited for what these girls have done all year. We keep saying this has been four years in the making, so we are excited that it happened with this group. They are a great group and have been the most fun to work with in my five years at Lipscomb. We are excited for them and are just trying to soak it all in right now."
On playing in the same regional as the No. 1 seed:
"Right now, we just need to take it one game at a time. We can't think too quickly about Alabama. We have talked about that as a team, just focusing on UAB right now. Should we come out and win that first game, ultimately playing the No. 1 seed is exciting for us. We know it is going to be a challenge. We can't go into it thinking it is not going to be a challenge. We don't want to try and feel like we need to do something extra. We don't need anybody to go out and be a hero. We just need to go out and continue to do what we have been doing."
On pitcher Whitney Kiihnl:
"Whitney is one of the most humble people I have ever been around. She's not going to brag on herself too much. She's not blind to the fact that our conference isn't the SEC. I think our conference is a good conference, but it's not the SEC or Pac-10. I think the world of her and so do her teammates. She also hits in our lineup and is one of our best hitters. She is definitely a difference-maker for us when she is out there."
On having the core of the team return from last season:
"Defensively, the neat part for us is that we returned all of our starters from last season, which is very rare in any team sport at any level. What makes our team even more unique is that we do have a lot of upperclassmen out there. We have a lot of senior leadership on the field, but we have a lot of sophomore leadership as well. We have a couple of others sprinkled out there from time to time. They have been together for a full year now. Anytime you can keep a team together for the course of several years, you are going to get better. You grow together and learn from each other. We have exceptional athletes on this team. I keep telling them not to try to go out there and make outstanding plays, but just focus on making the routine plays. That is what's really important. Our middle infield is a perfect example of that."
On how the flooding in Nashville impacted her team and the school's campus:
"There wasn't a tremendous amount on our campus. There was a little with some of the basements in some of the buildings, with the carpet and tile having to be completely pulled out. We are about five miles or so away from downtown, which was hit pretty hard. So many people we know were affected by it more so than us directly. Our assistant coach was directly affected. Anytime you go through a situation like that, it makes you take a step back and realize what is important. These girls have been able to do that in this situation. We were fortunate that our campus didn't take more of a hit. Most of the girls were on campus at the time. There are a couple of girls that live more locally that had gone home, but most were there. It is just a hard thing to focus on what we need to do and try to win a conference tournament and make the postseason for the first time when your whole city is going through something like that. It added a whole other dynamic to the team trying to get through finals and get into postseason mode."
Pitcher Whitney Kiihnl
On Alabama pitcher Kelsi Dunne:
"She is just a very unique pitcher. I have never played against a pitcher who throws like she does. She throws hard and has a lot of spin on the ball. She has all the confidence in the world when she is out there. I love watching her pitch."
On leading the nation in ERA this season:
"I feel honored to do that, but I am not facing SEC opponents and Pac-10 opponents. I don't face those kinds of teams every day."
On having a solid defense behind her:
"As a pitcher, just knowing that we have defensive players like Courtney [Billington] and Kellie [Sirus] behind me makes a big difference. It makes me more confident on the mound. We have some great players, so it makes me feel better on the mound."
