The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Game 2: #1 Texas vs. #1 Arizona State - Postgame Quotes
06.11.2011 | Baseball
June 11, 2011
TEXAS
Head Coach Augie Garrido
Opening statement: I am glad to be able to keep you in Austin one more night. Terrific game, both teams. Both teams battled it out, and made terrific plays, tough plays, with great throws from the outfield, two for them. A great play with getting the runner at home plate after the ball was hit up the middle, Etier goes to first, the first basemen throws home, and makes a perfect throw home. There were some really outstanding defensive plays from both teams. The game was hard fought all of the way, and was opened up in the ninth with Jordan and his home run. I am particularly pleased with him [Etier], he had a rough night last night, he knows it, and the team knows it. Everybody is thrilled about the way he handled the adversity, and those things in the life in the player are crises when they think that they have let their team down. To come back and handle it the way he did, is what baseball challenges you with, and this is a perfect example of why baseball is important in the educational system. He was motivated by the problem and did a great job tonight. Cole [Green] was outstanding tonight; he gave the innings that we needed to get into the bullpen when we wanted to use them. It was a good team effort, by both teams. It was a well played, well fought college baseball game.
On Arizona State's bunt defense: We took it off because of the way the defense over played it. They do a really great job of bunt defenses. The first baseman was in the right position to stop the play
Senior 2B Jordan Etier
On the contrast of his play from last night to tonight: I had to reboot it and refocus. I had to take it as another day, for what it's worth, and get out there and compete with the challenges. I was just happy that I could help pick up my team, because that is what I wanted to do.
On how his play tonight helped the team: It's great for our team, as far as momentum for tomorrow, and we just have to continue to pick it up.
Senior P Cole Green
On his strategy tonight: I had a lot of focus and intensity. Obviously this game means a lot to the team, the university, and everybody else involved. I just tried to stick with what I know, which is to throw the ball down in the zone, and be aggressive. We know they like to get the ball in play, and I got a great defense behind me so that makes my job a lot easier. Basically I just focus on the mitt, and compete with intensity.
On the team's ability to come from behind: We got a really strong survival instinct. That is something that Coach [Garrido] has mentioned, and it's there, and obvious. When we have our backs against the wall, I think a lot comes out in this team; a lot of adrenaline, a lot of focus, in not only myself, but the other players. We did a great job as a team. The bullpen did a great job in coming in and helping me out. We swung the bat well, obviously in the ninth inning we had success and we stuck with our plan. It was a great game.
ARIZONA STATE
Head Coach Tim Esmay
Opening statement: Tough game tonight. It was a good baseball game, just like last night. We knew it would be another barnburner and it was. Texas did a great job of pitching tonight. We had some opportunities and they wouldn't let us take advantage off of it. They took advantage late in the ball game. These are two good teams going at it. Tomorrow will be a biggie and that's an understatement.
On tomorrow's game: It's about what we have been through this whole season. We have played a lot of tough series. We have played a lot of series where you have to win two-out-of-three and that's what it has turned down to. The winner of two-out-of-three of this series has an opportunity to keep playing and I think that's the statement. I don't think there needs to be any more said. We're happy we get a chance to play tomorrow. In the game of baseball, you got to have a short memory and we are going to come out tomorrow, business as usual, and prepare ourselves for another tough battle against the Longhorns.
Junior P Kramer Champlin
On his performance today: I think the difference was the walks for me. I gave a few bases away and I think those were the guys that ended up scoring. If I eliminate those then I feel like they don't score at all.
Junior 2B Zack MacPhee
On tomorrow's game: You couldn't draw it up any better. I thought we played good today but we can't get anything back so we're just looking forward to tomorrow. We're ready to roll.