June 15, 2002
Recap|Box Score|Notes|Photo Gallery
at Omaha, NE
2002 College World Series
June 15, 2002 - Game 3
No. 8 Stanford 4, Notre Dame 3
MARK MARQUESS (HEAD COACH)
(Opening Statement)
"It was a great game, one of the better games we've played here (in Omaha). We thought we were in pretty good shape when we were ahead 4-0 but Notre Dame came back as they have all year. The difference for us today was Jeremy Guthrie. He threw a fabulous game. He came up with a little extra in the late innings. We also played very solid defense. It was a tight game that could have gone either way, but we were able to get a couple of hits that fell in and the home run by Sam Fuld (in the sixth inning) was huge because it gave us one extra run that we needed. It was a great college baseball game, and we're thankful to have come out on top."
(On struggling offensively with runners on base)
"You have to give Notre Dame credit. They made good pitches in big spots. We hit a couple of balls hard at them and left quite a few guys on base, but it was that type of game. They left a couple of guys on base, too. The pitchers pitched well and everybody played good defense. There was a lot of tension in the game. We knew they were capable of coming back, and they did. They made it close, but we held on and Jeremy made good pitches when he had to."
(on Stanford's past College World experience helping the Cardinal)
"It helps a lot. This is a different environment than any team is used to during this year. It's a great experience and something the players never forget, but it takes a while to get used to. At the same time, Notre Dame did settle down. They had a chance to win game. I was very impressed with their ballclub."
(on Rice and Texas)
"We played Texas this year and they might be the best team we have played all year. They are a very good fit for the CWS with their great pitching depth. We didn't play Rice, but what's impressive about both of those teams is that they really pitch and play defense. Now that the park (Rosenblatt Stadium) is a little bit bigger, that will really help you. Those two teams are dynamite."
JEREMY GUTHRIE (WINNING PITCHER)
(On his team's solid defense)
"That's helped me throughout the year, and it helps any pitcher. The success of our pitching staff is a reflection of our defense. Having a great defense allows us to go out there and throw strikes. If we make good pitches, the defense is going to field the ball cleanly and make a good throw. All the credit goes to our defense."
(On today's pitching performance versus his 13-inning complete game versus Cal State Fullerton)
"They were very different, but either way it felt great to win. They were both big games."
(On whether Notre Dame made an adjustment during the three-run seventh or if he was tiring)
"I think it was both. They did a very good job of hitting, and I made a couple of pitches that weren't that great, and they capitalized."
JASON COOPER (JUNIOR LEFTFIELDER)
(on his first CWS hit, a two-RBI single in the first inning)
"To get a hit early and drive in two runs for us was huge. I was getting pitched outside and was able to shorten up and go up the middle with the ball. It was my first hit in the College World Series and pretty special."
SAM FULD (SOPHOMORE CENTERFIELDER)
(on his solo homer in the sixth inning)
"It was a belt-high fastball. I was sitting on a fastball, because he was coming at me with fastballs the whole game. I was just trying to drive the ball up the middle, but I hit the good part of the bat and luckily it went out."
RYAN GARKO (JUNIOR CATCHER)
(on his continued success in the College World - 2-for-4 on Saturday and 9-for-16 (.563) in his CWS career)
"I really like playing here at Rosenblatt Stadium. I just see the ball well, and I've swinging the bat well at this time of the year."