The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
03.09.2014 | Baseball
Quotes from head coach Augie Garrido and Texas players
Head coach Augie Garrido
On what the biggest takeaway from today's game: I think the most important thing to take away from today is, what it took for us to get back to performing in the framework of what we've practiced, and who we are as players and as a team. Yesterday we were really out of character. It started with a six run lead, and then we started playing for results. We were trying to drive in runs, we were trying to get hits, we were trying to get seven runs or eight runs so that we had more than they did, and that doesn't do much except create tension. And tension destroys rhythm and timing, and this game is all about rhythm and timing. So, that is where we went yesterday, and we they left I asked them to leave it. We were out of character, and we had to get back into character by dumping yesterday's game and the way we played it in the trash, and learn from it because it is the first time we have done that.
I use the Cal series, we lost two out of four to Cal, but we had fun every day and they got better every day. That is what they need to do, they need to play their game, stay with their game, and trust is the biggest word in this whole scenario. Trust, they have to trust their swing, they have got to trust what they do in practice, and bring what they do in practice to the game. They have to trust themselves to be able to perform, and trust their teammates to create a team it is all about trust. We lost sight of that yesterday, we tried to do it ourselves. That's huge, that's the first time that happened, that is a big thing.
Anyways, we didn't complain about the weather, there was none of that. I thought [John] Curtiss looked good in his short relief role, and we are going to move Nate [Thornhill] into a starting role. John is healthy and throwing the ball well, and he has the personality for that closing role.
On how rewarding it was to bounce back today after a tough day yesterday: Well I think they really earned that in the fall and the early practices prior to the regular season starting. You know, if it's not in there, there is nothing to tap into. If there is no fight in them, if there is no character development going on, if there is no attitude towards teamwork ... I asked them last night, "You know what we gave away here? Our most valuable tool that we had earned by working so hard in the fall. We gave away our attitude toward the team." So yes, it is very rewarding, but if it's not there you can't call it up.
On the offense this weekend: Hitting is always the most difficult thing. It isn't just here it is everywhere. I think in the next couple of weeks, if we stick with the process we are trying to use, and we start to bring what we're doing in practice to the games more consistently, that is when there is going to be a big jump ... We played a game recently [in practice] they hit balls like major league players. So, there is a lot in there that we haven't been able to get into the game yet where it is in rally form, where we are sustaining the rallies for long periods of time ... I think it is about tension, I think it is about trying too hard, I think it is about keeping it simple, it's called experience.
Sophomore shortstop C.J Hinojosa
On how it feels to bounce back after yesterday's game: It was good to come out and be us and play again. We are just moving on now, we have Texas State on Tuesday and we are ready to get after it.
On if there was change in mentality from yesterday: Absolutely, we came out [yesterday], and I don't know if it was just the day, I mean the day was terrible with all of the rain and how ugly it was outside, but we have to get used to playing in that.
On if this win was helpful in building some confidence into conference next week: It is great, but we have to just take it one game at a time. Right now we just finished with Hawai'i, we have got to take care of Texas State before we can see Kansas.
On the defensive impact he and Brooks Marlow had today up the middle: It's awesome, we have gotten closer from last year. We've played a whole year together, so we are more comfortable with each other, we hang out a lot, that has a lot to do with it, and we are just comfortable with each other. We know how we play with each other and it is just fun.
Senior outfielder Mark Payton
On what specifically the offseason work did to help the team out this season: Really knowing what we represent as a team, this is The University of Texas and it is a great honor to play here in this program built on tradition. They really put that into us and it is all about attitude, the better attitude you have the easier it is for you to come from behind or play well in a tough situation. Make a tough defensive play after a rough at bat or vise-versa. That is what we have been doing so far and what the attitude is going to keep on being.
