May 21, 2010
Vanderbilt 4, Arkansas 3
Postgame Quotes
May 20, 2010
Designated Hitter Curt Casali
Overall thoughts
“We had a good game with Sonny (Gray) going eight strong innings and our defense was pretty good too. The first inning we were able to pounce on them and get two runs, but they came on strong and it looked like one of those games where you would have to score a lot of runs to win. But our defense showed up and we had some timely hitting to get the win.”
On approach on his last at-bat
“Anytime you get your clean up hitter (Aaron Westlake) to bunt your three-hole hitter up on to third base, you have to get the job done. Fortunately I got a good pitch to hit and got the run in.”
Starting Pitcher Sonny Gray
On approach to start
“I felt good throughout the week and I didn’t throw a lot of pitches in my last start. I was asked by our coaches if I felt good going out for the ninth inning, but I felt tired and felt that it would be for the best of the team to put in Chase (Reid) and he shut the door and got the big double play to end the game.”
On settling into the game after the second inning
“My Achilles’ heel has been giving up the big inning. It happened again tonight but after that I was able to settle down and we were able to score a few more runs. We played great defense all night. I was able to throw a lot more strikes after the second inning.
On importance of having a quality start
“I’ve been shut down the past four weeks with rain outs and other things. I wanted to get back on track for the team and was able to throw eight innings and give up three runs and we were able to get the win.”
On winning the opener
“Its big to get the first win of the series because you get a lot of confidence and its always great to get a win at home.”
Vanderbilt Head Coach Tim Corbin
On pitching effort of Sonny Gray
“He was able to get over the hump of the second inning and got himself going. The thing that has been consistent about that young man is that whenever he has a tough early inning he has been able to overcome it and get close to the end of the game. He was able to extend himself and get more competitive as time went on.”
On getting double play in the top of the second inning
“You feel good getting out of the inning on a double play because he was able to get back on track and not get deep into his pitch count.”
On underclassmen having big hits in contest
“It’s a team game. We have nine capable hitters that are very solid and I trust each and every one of them. Some guys will have good nights, some won’t and when you get all of them going, we’re pretty tough to beat. Tonight Brian Harris and Anthony Gomez were able to get their hits and get on base. I like the balance of our lineup, but if guys aren’t hitting other guys have to pick them up.”
On not using Russell Brewer
“We were trying to give him some rest tonight.”
On possibly hosting a NCAA Regional
“We just have to do what we can. We’re 40-13 right now and our NCAA RPI is 13 so we’re in the hunt but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to get one. I think if we finish third or fourth in the SEC we give ourselves a chance and that really what Arkansas and Vanderbilt are playing for this series, the opportunity to play at home and we would really like to do that. Our body of work has been very impressive, we’ve been very consistent, win the one-run games, won on the road. I think if we’re able to win the series, we’ll see what happens.”
On preparing for the postseason
“We’ve talked about this being the start of a playoff situation. We thought with this series and then going into the SEC Tournament and than a Regional that this was the start of playing very good teams. We knew that this was going to be a tournament-type game, tough pitching, good defense by both sides for the most part.”
