May 18, 2008
Shannon Koplitz on jumping out on top: "I think we needed to be aggressive early, which we were. We were trying to hit hard line drives and ground balls. We just wanted to come out aggressive. Brandice Balschmiter started throwing more off-speed pitches later in the game, and I think she did a good job of keeping her composure. We had to be a little more patient with her towards the end of the game."
Missy Penna on her performance: "It is nice to pitch with a lead, especially when we score in the first inning. It is nice to have that padding that cushion. It is nice, but we still have to play hard the whole game. It just calms my nerves a little bit to score first. Once we have a hold on them, I think, `okay, now it is time to do my job."
Koplitz on her confidence in Penna: "I definitely have a lot of confidence in her. I know that once we get a lead, she can shut down anyone in the country. When we get a few runs, it is a relief but we know that we have to keep working the whole game."
Penna on her range of pitches: "I try to mix it up a bit. The rise ball works sometimes. I try to thrown some off-speed in there."
Head Coach John Rittman's general comments: "I thought we did an excellent job of coming out and being the aggressor early in the game. We put runners in motion, played a little short game, did some hit and runs. We were trying to make some things happen. We wanted to start off well against a very good pitcher, and I think we did that. Any time you are facing a pitcher of that caliber, you definitely do not want to play the game passively. You want to try to play aggressive and get on her early. I think Missy came out and pitched outstanding today. She was a little bit better than she was yesterday, which was key because she needed to pitch better today. Yesterday, she did not quite have her drop like she did today. That opened up a lot of other pitches for her. Overall, I was pretty pleased with our team's performance, but I know there is a long road still ahead. We have got to come out tomorrow with the same type of attitude and approach."
Coach Rittman on advantages: "I think that the weather played a role in today's game, with UMass having to play the early game this morning. You do not wish that on anyone, especially in postseason, but it is what it is. You have to fight your way back. We have definitely been on the losing side of that situation, in the last two years at regionals. My team understands that just because you are sitting pretty on Sunday, does not mean anything is guaranteed. You have to come ready to play."