Postgame Quotes
05/22/2003 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
May 22, 2003
Postgame Quotes
SIU Head Coach Dan Callahan
On Game: "It was a very emotional win from a coaching standpoint. After scoring six times in the third, I thought we got passive offensively...we just could not get a two-out hit like we did yesterday. Later in the game, we were sitting back at times."
On the Salukis' double-play tandem of P.J. Finigan and Greg Andrews: "Those were huge double plays. You will find it hard to believe, but we actually work in practice on our tosses and flips at second base, while turning double plays. (P.J.) Finigan and (Greg) Andrews may not be the best players at their positions, but they are the best at turning the pivot."
On SIU's first win over Wichita State in the league tournament since 1986: "Last year, with the season-ending league series at their place, we were able to split. We were playing well entering the tournament, but lost to SMS and Wichita State. To me, Wichita State is the measuring stick for this Conference. Other times have won the tournament, but in terms of the regular-season race, SMS and Wichita State have been the staples for this league. Listen, this is a huge win, and when you beat a team like Wichita State, you've done something.
Winning/Starting Pitcher Bryan Rueger
On his effort: "You have great thoughts, when you have an infield, namely a double play combination like we have."
Relief Pitcher Marshall Tucker
On his approach: "You try to keep the same approach against each batter. I got behind a couple of their batters, but I worked my way back against them."
Outfielder Sal Frisella
On his third-inning, three-run homer against Reuben Kerbs: "In my situation - runners at first and third, I just wanted to drive the ball somewhere. He (Kerbs) walked me the first time up, so I was looking for something to drive."
Wichita State Head Coach Gene Stephenson
On Game: "I'm disappointed no question about it. We hit a lot of balls hard, and they (SIU) made the plays. In the third inning, they had two walks, two dinks (bloop hits) and two three-run homers."
On WSU hitting with two out and runners in scoring position: "Again, we had a lot of balls hit hard. Sometimes, the ball doesn't go in the right places. And some days, the ball finds the right direction."
On not pinch-hitting for Joe Muich in the seventh inning and with two on and two out: "Certainly, we thought about it, but they (SIU) had a left-hander ready if we hit (Bryan) Erstad in that situation. I really thought that if Joe (Muich) didn't deliver that we'd have chances in the eighth and ninth."
On coming out of the losers' bracket: "To me, it's a lot more satisfying coming out of the losers' bracket. This team is capable of doing it, but it remains to be seen if this team can do it."
Starting pitcher Reuben Kerbs
On his performance: "I didn't make adjustments during the at-bats of their hitters. (On Sal Frisella's homer) I threw him a curve ball, just trying to get ahead and he lifted it. (On Tyler Schooley's homer) I just made a bad pitch to a left-handed batter."
Catcher Joe Muich
On his homer: "I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit. I don't normally do a lot with good pitches, though. I got a good pitch; that's essentially it."