The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Quotes from NCAA Tournament selection
05.25.2015 | Baseball
Longhorns are No. 3 seed in Dallas Regional
Head Coach Augie Garrido
Opening Statement: We're excited to be in the tournament. As our players put it, we're playing one extra tournament this year when we went into the Big 12 Tournament and that was their take on it. It set the tone for recognizing the opportunity that we had and to accept the challenge as an opportunity and they did that. They played some of their best baseball of the season and certainly their most consistent from the mound, which provided the leadership for the defense. Behind the plate, both catchers were really good in all of the games. We got our outs on time for the most part. On the defensive side of it, it put us in position to capitalize on winning the games to win the game without a high number of runs and that's kind of how we've played it. We've always been dependent on the pitching staff and the defense because of the kind of ballpark we have here and we try to manufacture enough runs to beat our opponent. We played with a stronger will and better spirit and that was the difference in the execution.
"The committee typically does what they've done here. They want to eliminate as many teams as they can to keep from any one area from dominating the play and field in the College World Series, so that's why there are four host sites in Texas and each host earned those sites, but still it's so that the Texas schools don't put any more teams in the College World Series. They want parity and the same thing for California and same thing for Florida because that's how they've set it up for a couple of years now. We're proud to be anywhere. The message for the team will be that it's a beginning, not a heroic moment. It was a necessary one and the remaining tournaments will be the Regional and Super Regional and then you have to win your bracket and then the National Championship. There are still four main tournaments left and this is the beginning. Does it matter the teams in your bracketing and in your four-team regional championship? Yes, it matters but you can never predict the results. No one would have picked us to win the tournament. What we have is an opportunity and that's how we'll approach it.
On keeping the confidence moving forward: You can't manufacture it. It just has to be there. They knew what they had to do going in, but if they don't want to hold on to the feeling they have right now - I mean no one has had any more pain than has been brought on this group for a long time around here. The greater the suffering, the greater the joy. For them to go through the regular season and pretty much be counted out, and then to experience the feeling of and being able to execute in relation to the game the way they did, if they are willing to let that feeling go, I would be really surprised.
On if he feels like an underdog: I just don't think of it that way because I know it doesn't matter. Any team can win on any given weekend. It's an opportunity and that's all I can see in it. It's Psych 101 with the optimist and pessimist. I chose to see and be thankful for the opportunity that we have. Coaches have to be able to identify opportunity and help the players recognize the opportunity even though the game has a lot of failure connected to it. I don't sit around thinking about what's wrong as much as I think about what's right.
On having the team take 13 days off from baseball: Usually you try to work teams harder to get them to play better; our answer was 13 days off. Take a vacation. Get this stuff out of your head. We had to get rid of the demons.
On leaders down the stretch: The pitching staff. Parker French went out and had a different look in his eye. He could have been a bull fighter on that day. He was intense, focused, and competitive and that's not easy to do. It's a lot easier to let your nerves turn into fear but he didn't. He found the balance between being focused and competitive and being a warrior and still being able to stay focused and keep his rhythm and keep his aggressiveness. The pitching absolutely led the charge.
On importance of winning the Baylor series: I think it was very important to have that level of success after being off for so long. We only practiced one-and-a-half days in those 13 days. For them to find the success because it gave them confidence that we don't have to carry around those demons. They were there because we allowed them to be there.
On the team responding to adversity in games: There has to be balance to the offense and defense and that certainly reveals character. The eighth inning yesterday was the best rally we've put together with a game on the line the entire season. I sense a new beginning with the team. The game is about attitude, always has been always will be. I think the players recognize the champion that's in them and what they have to do.
Senior RHP Parker French
On the three complete games from the pitching staff in the Big 12 Tournament: I mean, that's magic. It's like what Coach [Garrido] says, "Jump on the magic carpet and ride through the enchanted forest" kind of stuff. You know it's crazy, I'm not going to say I saw it coming, but the three of us have been throwing well the last couple of weeks. Maybe not all of have been getting the same results we've wanted, but everyone had been executing their pitches and throwing really well. So, it's not a complete surprise, but it's definitely really cool and really special to be able to share with those two guys. Those are two of my brothers, guys I really love, so it was a really cool experience.
On the team's emotions when they found out where they were headed for regional play this morning: It was nice to know we were automatically in, they had to put us in the tournament somewhere. So, not as much relief, but it is good to know we are going to Dallas and staying in state. We got Oregon State the first game and we know they are a really good baseball team. It's going to be a tough challenge this week. It was definitely good to know that they had to put us in, but it's definitely good to know we are staying close to home and staying in the Lone Star State.
On the team elevating its game when pressure is highest: I don't know, but it seems to be that way. It's really odd, but we just have a bunch of gamers I think. Guys who perform at their highest level when the pressure is the highest and the stage is the highest with the bright lights on, and that's a really good quality to have. I can't put my finger on one certain thing except for the makeup of the guys. It's like that's how they're born almost. They're just born to be gamers and be clutch and perform well on this stage. We really enjoy this stage, big games and everything. So, I don't know, we just embrace the moment, and I think that's the biggest thing. We embrace the moment and thrive in it.
On if coming back for his senior year is worth it: Definitely, you can't put a price tag on the experiences and the growth as a person you get in college. I think that was the biggest thing, it wouldn't have mattered if our season had ended yesterday or a week ago, it wouldn't have been a regret at all. It's been a great season and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's been kind of a blessing in disguise.
On if he talked to former Longhorns Nathan Thornhill, Mark Payton and Dillon Peters before the Big 12 Tournament: Yes, they said go win the thing. Those guys are awesome. They have been at our side most of the season, checking the pulse of the team. Specifically Nate and Mark laid the foundation of leadership last year and we've tried to take from that by the seniors leading by example … They just said, "Hey, you guys have what it takes. Go perform, lead by example." And that luckily and thankfully happened for us in Tulsa.
Sophomore OF Zane Gurwitz
On seeing Texas name in the field: We're just so excited to be in the tournament this year. We're coming off of a great Big 12 Tournament win and hopefully playing in Dallas, we have a chance to get some of our fans there. I think it's going to be a great regional.
On not taking getting in for granted after the regular season: Coach has said that the tougher the season, that just makes this more rewarding. We just feel lucky to be this position. Now that we are, it's anyone's game. It's go time.
On maintaining the high: You just have to stick to your game. Stick to what we know. Throw strikes – our pitchers are doing awesome. Just keep that up. Hitters are doing well. Just keep playing our game and don't try to do too much.
On two weeks away from baseball: It was difficult. Our coaches knew it was tough but they said to take at least two days in a row away from hitting. It was hard but it was worth it. It wasn't about fixing our swing or fixing our arms, it was about fixing our minds. That's what was really important. We have the talent. We know it but mentally we weren't all completely there. Having that break and getting it out of our minds and starting fresh is what we really needed.
