The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas Tech quotes
03.27.2009 | Softball
March 27, 2009
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
On how it feels to play a game at home after a long road trip: We're just happy to be home. It's just challenging with our non-conference season. We've played in some difficult tournaments and we have to travel to be at those. It just felt like we were on an extended road trip there. It was a little challenging, but it feels good to be back at home.
On telling her players to be patient at the plate: I think it's starting to pay off now. They've heard coach (Corrie) Hill telling them that a lot early in the season. We're going to have to be patient with the majority of pitchers we are going to face. We're going to have to draw walks or take enough pitches to get some information the first time through the lineup. When you're attacking first pitches, you don't get the opportunity to do that. We've really settled into that nicely. The top of the order was doing a good job of that. No doubt it makes the pitchers throw a lot of pitches.
SOPHOMORE P Brittany Barnhill
On her strong pitching over the last couple of games: I think I just got it together mentally. Coach (Clark) has helped me a lot with that. At the same time, I've been trying to help myself by just believing in myself again and having that confidence. I think that was one of the things that we're missing. Physically, there are always things you can do to get better, but as long as you have a mental game, you'll stay in the game.
On the defense tonight: Defense played awesome tonight. I think as a pitcher, you can't give enough credit to your defense, because they do so much for you. Our defense did a lot of work tonight and they looked great. We're going to need them a lot down the stretch.
On the offense and her hitting: Our offense has been really good lately. It's so much fun to see the hitting, and now it's even better because I got back into the lineup and can contribute. There's nothing like contributing to your own game. That's one of my biggest things. I just love hitting.
FRESHMAN 3B Nadia Taylor
On being patient and drawing walks tonight: I did. I had been struggling a bit with change-ups, so my game plan was to be patient and not move until the ball got close to the plate. I wanted to simplify things and it worked for me tonight.
On if she feels any more pressure when there's a potential no-hitter on the line: I would say no. The tempo changes, but the game doesn't change. The game stays the same out there, so I would say no.
FRESHMAN SS Lexy Bennett
On her home run tonight: I've been working a lot on my hitting, especially coming into conference play. We've been really busy traveling and haven't had a lot of time, so I've been trying to get some extra swings in when I can. It was really nice to hit that home run tonight, because I haven't had one in a while.
On being patient at the plate: The coaches have been on me for that, because I have a tendency to swing at the first few pitches I see. Coach is constantly telling me to get deep in the count, because I can hit deep in the count. I've been trying to work on that a lot.
