May 31, 2009
Postgame Quotes
Tim Corbin
On the outcome
This was obviously a very important game for us because it was an elimination game. The performance we got from Caleb was nothing short of outstanding. I told him he needed to be Lance Armstrong on a bike in preparation for this heat, but he went out there and pitched against a very good hitting team and kept it down.
On bouncing back from yesterday’s loss
You want to stay in the winners’ bracket, but that second loss is tough to come back from. As a coach, I’ve been there several times.
On having a fresh bullpen for the second game
We were able to conserve our bullpen so that if we get into a situation tonight we can go to them right away if we need to.
Vanderbilt, Starting Pitcher Caleb Cotham
On his pitching performance
I didn’t feel my fastball was there. My off-speed was OK. As the game went on, my fastball got a lot better and then the slider started getting better, and that really helped me out. Throughout the game I was able to throw a decent changeup and keep the ball down, and that helped out.
Middle Tennessee, Head Coach Steve Peterson
On the outcome of the game
First of all I want to congratulate Vanderbilt. They played a really good ballgame. They took control in the later innings.
On falling behind early
Falling behind 2-0 was very manageable. If we had executed on the first and third double-steal, we gave them an out. For a coach, that is very irritating, and it bothers me more than Chad giving up a solo homerun.
In the dugout, we were getting shutout. It feels like we were getting beat 5, 6, or 7 to nothing. I looked up an fortunately, it was just 2-0. Chad kept us close, but we just were not getting good contact and we weren’t getting good at-bats.
On the pitching
A great pitching performance by Cotham and, I’m glad Chad stepped up and had a good five or six innings for us. We went to the bullpen and they were able to put it away in that one inning.
On Vanderbilt
Good pitching beats good hitting any day of the week, and good hitting is evidenced when pitching slacks off.
Middle Tennessee, Starting Pitcher Chad Edwards
On his performance today
I’ve been on a pretty long rest. I just went out there and didn’t try to do anything special except get ahead in the count for everything, and force groundballs.
Middle Tennessee, Rawley Bishop
On his college experience
I wouldn’t change it for anything. Playing with these guys, coming out everyday, there’s nothing you can compare it to.
On the season
We have had a successful season and that’s what we want to do every year. We want to continue to build upon what we have done the past three years.
