The University of Mississippi Athletics
NCAA Regional Game 1 Postgame Quotes
5/30/2009 | Baseball
WESTERN KENTUCKY
HEAD COACH CHRIS FINWOOD
Opening Statement
"I thought our kids came out and played a solid ballgame. We talked about coming out with a lot of energy. We certainly did that. Getting six in the first inning was big. Matt (Ridings) settled in and pitched a really solid ballgame for us. We defended the field well, and we had a lot of big hits. It was a good effort overall by our ball club."
On Western Kentucky's upset win over Ole Miss in 2004
"I wasn't here then, so obviously that is news to me. That was a big win in 2004. It's amazing to think that when you play a regional game, the score was 1-0. We're happy to get this first one in the books and to get a win."
On Missouri not pitching ace Kyle Gibson
"We talked a little bit about it. We didn't want to get caught up in all of that. To be honest with you, I'm glad they didn't. Obviously they were thinking the other way when we got six runs in the first inning. They know their ball club a lot better than any of us do. They thought a lot about what they are trying to do to win this regional, but we are trying to do our best to win it. We didn't get caught up. It was more about coming out there and competing."
Junior 3B Wade Gaynor
On Missouri not pitching ace Kyle Gibson
"I think there was definitely extra motivation. They did what they thought they needed to. We can't control who they pitch. We just went out there and were aggressive at the plate."
On getting 12 hits versus Missouri
"It was huge for us. Our hitting feeds off our pitching and our pitching feeds off our hitting. If you have seen us throughout the year, if we put up a big number in the first, it seems like we really get rolling that day."
Junior P Matt Ridings
On Western Kentucky's six-run first inning
"It's always easier to pitch anytime you come off the first inning and get six runs. It takes pressure off of me. The last couple of outings, I have been struggling with a lead--we get up 3-1 and the next thing I know I give up a couple of runs. I just made it a big point today to make it a six-run lead for our offense. I put up a couple of zeros and let our offense get back out there and put up a couple of more runs."
On experience of playing in a regional before this weekend
"It's huge. It builds confidence. We are coming out here and trying to do this for all the seniors. They got to regionals last year, and we were just kind of happy to be there. We were soaking it all in. We got back this year, and we want to do some damage. I think we can. Just winning that first game on Friday adds confidence."
Senior SS Terrance Dayleg
On Western Kentucky's game plan
"It was really simple to go out there and attack strikes. We did that well early in the game. We have been doing that the past couple of weeks. We took advantage of (Nick Tepesch's) strikes, and we were aggressive. Aggressive was the main thing we were, and that is why we were so successful."
MISSOURI
HEAD COACH TIM JAMIESON
Opening Statement
"First of all, I would like to congragulate Western Kentucky. They just flat out outplayed us.They made pitches when they had to make them, they got hits when they needed to get them. We are going to come out tomorrow and give it our best."
On not starting junior pitcher Kyle Gibson
"Hindsight is 20/20. We had to win with both of those guys starting regardless of the opponent. We weren't bypassing anybody, we just did what we thought was best for our ball club to get to Sunday at 2-0, and it didn't work out. Western Ketucky did a good job against Nick (Tepesch). Nick didn't do a very good job after the error and after the home run. That's the bottom line in the ballgame. If we make a play there, then the whole complexion of the ballgame might change, but we needed to respond better to the error, and we didn't do that. We have to fight our way out of a hole."
On Western Kentucky pitcher (senior) Matt Ridings
"The one thing that he did in the innings that he breezed is he pumped strikes. The innings that we had opportunities he had a couple of walks mixed in there, then he made pitches when he had to make them. That was one of the differences in the game."
Junior OF Aaron Seene
If he pressed after the home run and being down with the at-bat in the seventh with the bases loaded
"I wasn't necessarily pressing. I could have got a better pitch to hit by taking it to a full count and looking for something up. He made a good pitch and got me out on my front foot, and I rolled over it."
On not getting the leadoff hitter on
"It makes a huge difference. It seemed like any time we had a scoring opportunity we had two outs. Once you get that first guy on, it leads to a lot more offensive production. We didn't do that today at all."
Junior C Trevor Coleman
On first appearance back after hand injury
"I feel like I saw the ball well. The right on right match-up was more of a challenge than the hand. The hand wasn't an issue once I got the adrenaline going. Hitting right hand on right hand was somewhat diffucult, but once I got used to it, it was alright."
