May 18, 2007
LSU
Louisiana State Head Coach Yvette Girouard
Opening Statement:
"This was a great game in regional play. There is so much on the line and kids are often tight. It was just an extreme battle between two pitchers and both pitchers made huge pitches today, and I just think Rachel Turner made a few more. We left so many people on base today that I felt like we were just going to eventually score. What I was most worried about was that we were visitors and I just kept stressing that we need some of our hitters that weren't hitting to step up. We had a lot of times where people didn't get the job done in crucial situations, but we were able to get the win. I don't think that I have ever gotten a win over Fresno personally, so this is my first win over them in my career and a very good win for us. I have tremendous respect for Margie, she runs a fabulous program.
On how much this win means:
"I hope that this paints a certain picture for down the road and how it shows that we won't give up. I felt we brought our A game and we played great defense with our shortstop making the plays over her shoulder, that was huge. Those balls could have easily fallen in. Our team seems to kind of thrive on adversity, I am not sure why, but Mitchell (Rachel Mitchell) has done this countless times as she did it last weekend in the SEC Tournament. I think our hitters know that even if they fail four times, they have to live in the present and know that eventually something good is going to happen.
On the opponent's for tomorrow:
"Personally I just want the team we play to have to play 20 innings before we go out there. Macklin is tough and we knew we were going to have a battle. At this point I am just really happy about the win.
On having time off:
"This is the situation that you want to be in. This is a tough road for Fresno, but we know they obviously can do it. They are good enough and they got a pitcher that is good enough. It is tough, this is such an emotional, quick turnaround and a lot of things can happen. You see a lot of things happen and a lot of times you see a team get beat in regionals because a lot can happen so quick. I believe it is quicker than probably any sport when it comes to championship play.
LSU OF Rachel Mitchell
On the home run pitch:
"I guess I hit the screwball, I really don't even know. I just see the pitch and want to hit and perform.
Head Coach Yvette Girouard
"She (Mitchell) is a great example of just cut your head off and swing the bat. We just got lucky and it caught the win and the ball was able to get out of the park.
Mitchell:
On if she knew it was a home run:
"No, I didn't really know if it was a home run. I didn't see it was a home run until I saw it land when I was rounding second base.
LSU Pitcher Emily Turner
On pitching duels in the SEC:
"We have some of the best pitchers in our conference, with Owens (ChrissyOwens) and of course Monica Abbott (Tennessee). We have had duels like that all the time in the SEC, so no it is not the first time I have pitched in a game like this.
On her pitch selection:
"I was trying to throw a lot of changeup's. I don't have a fastball and I really wasn't trying to throw anything over the plate. Overall, I threw a lot of changeup's which kept the batters off balance today and was the key to my success.
On being sharp today after pitching yesterday:
"At times I felt sharp, in the second inning I let myself loose focus which was wrong, but I felt like I quickly regained it and had my focus for the rest of the game.
Fresno State
Fresno State Bulldogs Head Coach Margie Wright
Opening Statement:
"This was a great game, we got out of a lot of jams. We had a lot of difficult situations but Robin (Macklin) got out of it every single time.
On Robin Macklin's arm and status for next game:
"I think it's still attached. I am still trying to get over this game. I just need to think now and Robin pitching will probably depend on who we play.
On her post-game reaction:
"I think anyone would take a game like this very hard, a 1-0 game in 9 innings. This is a very tough game to lose.
On low scoring games:
"This is a game of inches and a game of bounces. It's a game of whoever gets the timely hit and who makes a mistake. Anyone can make a mistake at any time, and it's just who capitalizes on them and makes it the difference in the game.
On the end of the game:
"I always felt like we were going to score, I really did, and I felt that way until the very end. We had some key people up to bat but it just wasn't meant to be. We just have to go back now and get ready for whoever we platg at 6:00 PM.
On late game decisions:
"Everyone can question what you do or you don't do at the end of the game, but there is something to be said for knowing your kids. You know that when there is a runner on 2nd and Jenna (Jenna Cervantez) has come through all year that doesn't change my opinion on her. It doesn't effect me on my calls because I have faith in my players, I believe they will get it done and that's the way it should be. That is how we have gotten this far.
On mental toughness of having win three games:
"I think we have it, we definately showed it last weekend. We can only do one pitch, one game at a time. We need to take advantage of situations and we just did not do that this game.
On her teams' mental state:
"I think your going to see major disappointment for awhile, at least for the next 20 minutes. After that we will just have to put it behind us and get ready for the next game. There is just no other way to approach it and our players will be ready to play in our next game.