May 31, 2013
Recap | Box Score | Russell’s Photos 
Vanderbilt Head Coach Tim Corbin
Opening Statement
“We got off to a good start. That first inning where we pushed across five runs was big especially in the first game of the tournament because they’re not easy to play regardless of whether you’ve been here or not. I thought (ETSU starter Jimmy) Nesselt settled down a little bit and kept us off the ball, but during that time, we needed a very good pitching performance in order to contain the ball game. Five runs against that particular team that hits well is not enough, and Kevin did a good job of getting into the 8th inning. Then we separated ourselves a little bit at the end. Good start for us, obviously winning an opening game is a big deal.”
On getting a win in the opening game…
“Winning the first game of any tournament is a big relief. I know how I felt and how the team felt after Texas A&M, and it’s not always easy to fight your way back. You can do it, we’ve done it before, but at the same time, we want to hold momentum as much as possible and we were able to do that. That’s a good feeling, and getting the play that late game again is good as well.”
On winning, 9-1, despite Tony Kemp going 0-5 in the leadoff spot…
“That’s a good point. We scored a lot of runs without him tonight. He did move around a little, which was good, but they threw some soft stuff at him and he came out of his zone a little bit. He didn’t have a great night, but that’s the gift of having a good team where players can pick each other up. We did that for him tonight because he’s picked us up so many times.”
Connor Harell – Senior Outfielder
On Vanderbilt’s defense…
“It’s good, especially when (Kevin) Ziomek pitches as well as he did, and have (Mike Yastrzemski) go in the corner and catch a ball. Then have Tony (Kemp) dive and make a double play then he buried a ball and get forced to second. It was good, we rely on that.”
On Vanderbilt’s five-run first inning…
“It was nice. After having a week off, to be able to come in and get five runs right away was something that was good for us.”
Kevin Ziomek – Junior Pitcher
On his team spotting him five runs in the first inning…
“It’s huge. The way the defense is playing, it’s hard not to have confidence out there. You just have to go out there and throw strikes and know that you have guys who can make plays. Talk about Connor (Harrell), Vince (Conde) at shortstop, and (Mike Yastrzemski) Yaz making a heck of a catch out there in rightfield. It’s huge. You know you can go in there and don’t have to strike people out. You just go in there and pitch with a lead, and it worked out tonight.”
On the atmosphere…
“It was awesome. We knew our fans were going to have a lot of energy. To go in there and hear the black and gold chants and all the other chants, it gives you an extra boost. Whether you’re on the mound or those guys stepping up to the plate, hearing the fans behind them is huge. We credit a lot of our success to our fans.”
ETSU Head Coach Tony Skole
Opening Statement
“Our worst fears came true tonight. We preached about wanting to get off to a good start this evening, but giving up that five-spot in the first inning allowed Vanderbilt to play relaxed for the rest of the game. After that first inning I thought we settled in and Jimmy (Nesselt) really got control of the ball game and was cruising through the middle innings and gave us a chance to get back in the game. We just couldn’t seem to get that big hit and against a pitching staff like that. When you get opportunities in scoring position you have to get that timely hit and we just didn’t get it tonight. It’s a difficult loss but I’m proud of the way our guys stayed in it and fought.”
On Vanderbilt’s>Kevin Ziomek
“He has a great arm and he’s got great stuff, but he’s a tremendous competitor, too. He just misses a lot of barrels. He’s running it up there in the low 90s. He just keeps coming, he’s relentless and I knew once we got behind, 5-0, he was going to be very difficult to catch up to because he’s going to pitch with a lead and be very aggressive. They flipped the tables on us. We wanted to apply pressure to them by staying in the game and keeping it interesting late, but getting down 5-0 allowed their ball club to relax. When they play relaxed, they’re pretty good.”
On facing Georgia Tech in an elimination game…
“We have a tough group of kids. They are resilient and like to play. They will be excited to come out tomorrow and hopefully some of the nerves and nervous energy won’t be with them tomorrow. We have a tough test with Georgia Tech and I’m sure (Buck) Farmer is going for them. Hopefully our guys will be up for the challenge.”
Jimmy Nesselt – Sophomore Pitcher
On giving up five runs in the first inning…
“In the first inning I was a little generalized and I was leaving the ball up a little bit and they put the ball in play and made our defense work. It was tough because the game was moving pretty fast, but once I settled in, I was making pitches and everything seemed to be working in the middle innings.”
On how much he’d like to have the first inning back…
“I would want to have it back because that is rough as a pitcher, giving your team an early deficit to come back from. That was a crucial inning and they capitalized on everything.”
Andrew Green – Senior Outfielder
On the gameplan against Ziomek…
“We knew all about him coming into the game. We knew it was going to be a tough outing, but we battled it out and eventually got some good swings on him.”
On falling behind in the first inning…
“I’m sure everybody was nervous and obviously Vanderbilt came in with a lot more confidence. We obviously want that first inning back, but at the same time we have to build off the innings where we shut down that great offense. I think we’re going to carry that momentum into tomorrow and hopefully get a W.”
