June 12, 2010
Vanderbilt 6, Florida State 2
NCAA Super Regionals – Dick Howser Stadium
Postgame Quotes
Vanderbilt Head Coach Tim Corbin
Opening Statement:
“It was a good bounce-back game for our kids, obviously. I thought the pitching was very, very good. Sonny (Gray) gave us a great start getting into the sixth and then he was followed by Grayson (Garvin) who just continues to get better and better. He’s a good story. We had a warrior on the mound to start and a warrior on the mound to finish. There were some very tight, good defensive plays – the throw by Joe (Loftus) for the play at the plate was a nice play. We were kind of playing, holding on there for a while because we bounced out but after that made a couple of base running mistakes and wasn’t able to execute. But I liked the way the kids bounced back in that one inning and got the three; Curt’s (Casali) hit was big. The bunt was big. I really felt in this type of situation the three runs there at the end were very, very important because I know what type of team Florida State is. I’m just proud of the kids. I know what is in our DNA and our ability to fight back. That’s why coaches love coaching these kids.”
Do you want people to challenge your outfielders:
“Yea, I’m okay with it. I love our outfield; we’ve had a lot of assists out there. Yastremski throws well and Joe has the best arm in the SEC period and he loves to use it. So, yes, I am okay with that. I feel very confident when the ball is hit to our outfielders on the ground and runners are moving I feel like we have a chance to make an out.”
On the sacrifice bunt in the first inning:
“In a game like this, especially to jump out and break it out the bunt was important. To get on base and move the runner over, to get some momentum and to see the ball go down the right field line, get guys in scoring position early and just come up with something it was just kind of a momentum start. It’s like scoring the first touchdown. I felt after that we were ready to roll a little bit.”
Outfielder Joe Loftus
On how confident he was on his throw home in the sixth inning:
“All year, coach has been making a big point on defense and pitching and we did both of those well. When we get in those situations for some reason I always feel like I want the ball to be hit to me. I feel like I can make that throw every time. I made the throw and Gio (catcher Andrew Giobbi) put the tag down.”
Starting Pitcher Sonny Gray
Was it strictly fastball-curveball for you today:
“It was pretty much strictly fastball with curve balls in there but the curveball was really a non-factor. I think they really saw that pitch well. They really do not chase; they are patient hitters. They really do a good job at the plate. They caused me to pitch a few long innings in the fifth and sixth. It was really hot and you have to keep long innings to a minimum. I tried to throw a lot of sinkers today and get ground balls and for the most part that worked pretty well for us.”
Florida State Head Coach Mike Martin
Opening Statement:
“The best way to start this off I guess is saying that I’m very proud of these two sophomores sitting at this table. The sophomore to my right [Busch] has really shown what he is all about given the seven full innings of well pitched baseball. I am very very proud of the way he showed determination and character and really pitched well. You really have to take your hat off to Sonny Gray he did a tremendous job today for Vanderbilt. He was an impressive pitcher and outstanding athlete and he really shut us down. A real credit to him. I’m very pleased with our guys. We just came up a little short. What advantage we had we know now is gone by the board and it’s a so called level, even situation and you again have to say to Vanderbilt ‘Well done,’ they did an outstanding job.”
Outfielder James Ramsey
On Vanderbilt’s pitching:
“He’s a good pitcher and I think first off the fastball was with him today. He throws hard but also he knows where to put it. He’s a competitor and in a game like this when your back is against the wall in the post season, you know you have to have your best stuff. He came out there as the first starter and he threw a lot last weekend and it shows a lot about him to come out today and have another good outing.”
Starting Pitcher Brian Busch
On his conversation with Coach Martin on the mound:
“He basically went over what play we were going to do. When he did come out I did actually think I was going to get taken out but I’m glad he showed confidence in me and I was able to get to the bunt and throw the guy out at third and the next play cut the double play to Cardullo which was huge for our team.”
On his response to the sac-bunt in the first:
“The sac-bunt was huge. I just rushed and it cost us in the end.
Firstbaseman Jayce Boyd
On running home and being thrown out in the end:
“You see the signal and you got to go. That was the only thing going through my mind. I knew it would be a close play and I didn’t get that great of a turn around third. I did my best and fell a little short.”