The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
ECU-BYU postgame quotes
05.20.2010 | Softball
May 20, 2010
BYU
Head Coach Gordon Eakin
On Paige Hall's performance: I thought Paige, for the magnitude of a regional game, had incredible command of her pitches today and she's a little humble about that. They are a scrappy team, they hit the ball well and they really only squared up one ball off of her all day so she had excellent command of her pitches today.
On the game: I think this win was a tribute to a veteran team. We've been here before, we've done it, and East Carolina's a very good team. They battle, they don't give up a lot of runs and we just stayed with it and we hit the ball well. They just didn't fall, especially in this humidity, it just doesn't go anywhere when you hit it so we had to battle through that being we're used to scoring a lot of runs. I thought our veterans and the fact that we've been here before and done this before was really the key to staying with it and winning 1-0.
On changing the offensive game plan based on the heat and humidity: Not really, we are what we are, we're very aggressive offensively and we're going to get one or two where it will go a little bit farther, and usually that changes the complexion of the game a little bit. We don't change much based on humidity or cold, we just stay with what we do.
Catcher Jessica Purcell-Fitu
On her triple: I think she gave me a changeup in the beginning, and I think I just sat on it and just took it where it was supposed to go. I think that's what I was trying to do.
Pitcher Paige Affleck
On her performance and her command: Today was kind of a more challenging game, I guess, because they made adjustments throughout the game. I kind of felt like it was changing based on how I was making adjustments against their adjustment. I felt like [my command] was better than it has been, it was not terrible, but it could be better.
East Carolina
Head Coach Tracy Kee
Opening statement: Obviously I think it was a great game for both teams. BYU's pitcher did an unbelievable job out there keeping our bats under control. It's a credit to them and their team and we had a high dose of respect for their offense. I'm pleased with the way Toni Paisley was able to approach this game as well and put us in a position to win. Unfortunately we weren't able to step up, and in regionals we now understand that these are types of games that you have to win and you have to capitalize when you have opportunities.
On facing single elimination: The last 11 games prior to today, we were basically playing single elimination. In order for us to win our conference, we had to run the table. In order for us to win our conference tournament, it was single elimination. So these kids are very familiar with how it is to be on the brink of one and done and I think they'll be ready tomorrow.
Pitcher Toni Paisley
On facing BYU: I felt really good today going out there and facing them and I had a lot of confidence, but I did know that they have a great, great offensive team and I needed to be careful. They had a few balls that looked like they were going out and I think our defense just did a good job of keeping the balls in play.
On losing control of some pitches: You could question one of them maybe, but they just did a good job. I needed to make sure the pitch wasn't down the middle, definitely, so you could say [the ball] ran off a little far.
Second baseman Charina Sumner
On the offense: I felt like we came in we were just wanting to shut down the offense and in the beginning we knew that because both pitchers were top in the conference that we'd have to bring our bats. We knew that it would be tough and so it's just making adjustments from bat to bat and pitch to pitch.
On facing single elimination: I feel like just like any other game, we have to take one game at a time. So now our approach is still to win and we can't really put our backs against the wall or anything, we just have to come out like we did today and swing the bats.
