Post Game Quotes
05/25/2003 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
May 24, 2003
Southern Illinois Head Coach Dan Callahan
On the game: "We're obviously disappointed, mostly for our seniors who won't have this opportunity again. Maybe, we will look back on this tournament and say that this team helped set the tone for our program."
On SIU hitting: "The irony is how well we swung the bats the first three games and then score a run on eight hits in two games. We didn't get the job done."
On David Sanders: "Their pitchers were ahead on the count all day. (David) Sanders seemed to get better and better. Their pitching was unbelievable today. We go out and strike out 23 batters."
Outfielder Sal Frisella
On David Sanders: "He came out and did what he had to do. Here's a guy who's struggled for the last month. It was bad time for him to come out and have a game like that. He got ahead on the count, and when he threw a curveball, we swung at it in the dirt."
Infielder Greg Andrews
On SIU hitting: "After yesterday, we had all the confidence in the world. Even our outs were hard hit. What can you say about (David) Sanders? He pitched his tail off against us."
Wichita State Head Coach Gene Stephenson
On game: "I remember coming in here on Thursday after we lost, and saying that it would be more satisfying to come back through the losers bracket and win. I knew we had the team that could accomplish that feat."
On David Sanders: "David Sanders was outstanding tonight. He's a model person. He deserved it, he earned it, and I'm happy for him. He's been struggling the last month of the season, and he came through tonight."
On SIU's rally in the bottom of the seventh: "We thought we might make a move at that point. David (Sanders) has struggled fielding bunts. They were faking the bunt, though, trying to draw a walk."
On Contributions of Shawn Smarsh and Ryan Bell: "Both of these guys have been good during this tournament. Smarsh has been the glue for this infield. He's surprised a lot of folks, but not himself. He's really persevered throughout the year."
Starting/Winning Pitcher David Sanders
On performance: "I knew I was going to start this game two weeks ago. There was something deep inside told me not to be down, because I knew this day was coming."
Infielder Shawn Smarsh
On contributions: "It's been a frustrating season at times. When Coach (Stephenson) needs me to do something, I'm going to get the job done."
Outfielder Ryan Bell
On contributions: "I just try to see the ball and hit the ball. Everybody did their job during this tournament, that's why we came back to win it."