Alabama-Ketucky Postgame Quotes and Notes
3/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 26, 2011
Head Coach Mitch Gaspard
Opening statement:
"We had a really good early inning where we scored five, but after the rain delay we got a little sloppy. I thought (starting pitcher) Adam Morgan was really sharp for five, six innings there. As they got some guys on base after he came out we couldn't really stop it but it was big that we kept the game tied right there and didn't give up the lead. We missed some opportunities, we had some chances to put the game away throughout, but the bottom line is we found a way to win. Every SEC game is tough and different guys have to step up. Brett Booth comes in, he's been struggling, and finds a way to get the big hit with two outs for us. Sometimes it doesn't look as pretty as you want it, to but the bottom line is the `W' at the end of the day."
On other players stepping up:
"We've had a lot of injuries, we've had different things, but it's also an opportunity for other guys to step up. That's the one thing about this team, they have a little attitude about them and they're grinders and they find a way to get things done."
On the amount of pitchers both teams used:
"Both sides used about five guys and ended up with closers on both ends without a lead which is a little uncommon. But that goes back to every game is so important and so tough to get, but you have to go with your best guy in that spot and hope that you can strike when you can. We were fortunate and able to do that."
#5 Brett Booth, 3B
On his game-winning hit:
"I've been going through a slump lately and it's been pretty bad. I tried to make good contact, tried to have a good at-bat, saw a fastball, made good contact and it fell."
On coming through in the clutch:
"The game is all about confidence and no matter how much confidence you have, when you're going through a slump, it takes all your confidence away. When you have an opportunity to come in in a big situation like that and you come through it just boosts your confidence right up there and makes you feel great."
On the postgame celebration with his teammates:
"You dream of that for a long time. Coming from around here and coming out and watching games and seeing people walk it off, it feels great to finally be out here doing it."
#26 Jonathan Smart, LHP
On earning his first win of the season:
"I stole that one. But it feels great, anytime you play an SEC game a win is always big especially to win the series."
On coming out of the bullpen to pitch the top of the ninth:
"I treated it more like a long relief situation since it was tied up. I don't know how long the game is going to go so it was more like starting a game in that situation."
On Sunday's series finale against Kentucky:
"It's big. I remember last year being in the situation where you lose the first two games and you just don't want to get swept. It would be huge to get the sweep and be number one in our conference."
NOTES
* With a single in the first inning, junior center fielder Taylor Dugas extended his hitting streak to 14 games. Dugas finished the day 2-for-4 with a walk.
* Junior shortstop Jared Reaves finished the day 3-for-5 with two runs scored versus the Wildcats. Following his performance, Reaves is now second on the team in hits with 32.
* Sophomore third baseman Brett Booth notched the first walk-off hit of his young Alabama career with a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning. The hit was also Booth's first against SEC competition this year.
* Senior left-handed pitcher Jonathan Smart earned his first win of the season and second win all-time versus SEC competition with a perfect ninth inning in relief.
* With the walk-off victory, Alabama has won in its last at-bat three times this season. The previous two walk-off wins occurred on March 8 vs. Troy and March 11 vs. Eastern Illinois.
* The 13 hits on Saturday versus the Wildcats is the second most tallied by Alabama this year and tied for the most versus SEC competition. It is also the 10th time the Crimson Tide has notched 10 or more hits this season.
* With five runs in the third inning, the Tide matched its highest scoring output in an inning this year. It is the third time this season Alabama has plated five runs in an inning.
* Rain delayed the game for 32 minutes in the top of the sixth inning.
