Louisville Postgame Quotes - NCAA Super Regional
June 06, 2015 | Baseball
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Louisville Head Coach Dan McDonnell
(Opening Statement) "I just want to congratulate Cal State Fullerton. They played well. They played clean. As we knew Eshelman was going to give them a great start and he did. And it was a hard fought game. We had opportunities. It was just tough to capitalize. They had a few opportunities as well. It was just one of those games that I was really proud of our kids, how hard they fought and we had a lot of good at bats. I thought we had good focus and good energy and it was a fun game. Obviously it hurts when you lose, but this time of the year, there's a fine line between winning and losing so I am excited that we get a chance to come back tomorrow."
(Were you disappointed you didn't get one of those good at-bats when you needed a hit and score a run) "I thought we had a lot of good at-bats, I really did, knowing how good Eshelman was. Unfortunately, there's a handful of times you are down 0-2 quickly against that guy, but we seemed to get back in at-bats. A handful of our hits were with two strikes, guys stayed on the ball Devin (Hairston) and Will Smith and guys hit the ball up the middle. I was really pleased, I thought we had a lot of quality at bats today."
(On the Funkhouser and Eshelman matchup today) "He gets stronger as the game goes on and I think you saw that in the seventh when he's hitting some 95s. I am really happy for him because I sat here last week, usually the draft is in between the regionals and the super regionals and I made the statement `well, I think he cemented himself for the draft after that last start' not realizing the draft was after the super regionals this year. I am once again very happy for him because it is even better that he did it back-to-back in the regional/super regional type atmosphere, realizing when he was jogging off the mound that is the last time he will pitch at Jim Patterson Stadium. I appreciated the fans giving him a standing ovation. What a career he's had for us. We hope to give him another start next week, but that was his last outing obviously at Jim Patterson Stadium."
(On what he saw from Mike White this week in practice) "I just know he was frustrated from the last couple of weeks. Devin (Hairston) was the breath of fresh air and new life that you can prepare in a week and get back to being the talented player that you are. We used Devin an example, but like Mike said he had some tough at-bats and just wasn't right but that's the world of hitting. You are always going in and out trying to be right and I just felt like he's had a lot of good at-bats. He's actually pretty good against lefties. When he stays on the ball. I am happy for Mike he's had a great year and he's another guy I think he's going get a chance to play pro ball."
(What did you tell the guys after today's game) "It's a weekend series and I just commended their efforts. We played hard and we just came up a little short, so I just challenged them to take it easy today and enjoy their family and friends. Early curfew again and we show up to the ballpark bright and early tomorrow morning."
(On why the team bounces back well after opening-series losses) "I think McKay is one reason, and then our leadership. Not just the seniors, White, and Lucas, and Whiting, but the sophomore class grew up a lot last year. It's a good group. It's a great group, it's a special group. A lot of guys were making comments out there, `keep your head up'. You've got to come out tomorrow and compete. It's a new day."
(On why Brendan McKay handles pressure so well) "I think you see it, when he gets the big at-bat there in the 10th. I have coaches tease me, `does he have a pulse?' He's got a great demeanor for baseball. I was a fiery player, and I love the Whitings and the Lucases, you know we've got kind of a football style. But you need a couple of McKays on your team to even it out. It's been fun to watch. Again, it was a great game. I wish we had the second press conference, but we don't. Obviously as a coach you feel responsible. There's a lot of things you feel like you could have done different. But at the end of the day you trust the kids, you love them, and you believe tomorrow is going to be a great day. I'm looking forward to the sun coming up tomorrow."
(On his thoughts about how Zack Burdi recovered after hitting the first batter he faced) "Those that have followed us all year know we have brought Burdi into those situations before. Lincoln was kind of in that groove. There have been many times we've maybe pulled Lincoln out and we've felt, `man you can get three more outs out of him.' You've got to give credit to their hitter. Their three and four hole hitters have the ability to work a walk. I think of the three runs, I think two of them were walks. I think, I'm not sure about the third run. But, we just felt Lincoln had good rhythm, good tempo and then you always know you've got Burdi in your back pocket. You always know because of the strike out ability, and it's unfortunate that he hit the kid, because he strikes out the next two. The ball doesn't even get put in play. Again, Zach's a phenomenal pitcher. He'll be ready to go tomorrow."
Louisville Freshman 1B Brendan McKay
(On facing Eshelman today) "He's a great competitor. He pounds the strike zone and doesn't walk a lot of guys. You've gotta go up there with the mentality that if he throws you a strike, you've got to take a hack at it. If you don't swing, you're not gonna get a chance to hit the ball."
(Do you like being in this pressure situation tomorrow) "I don't mind it. You have to face pressure sometime in your life. Whether it's in sports or aspects of life, you are going to have to deal with it. Why not now and get yourself prepared for later on in life when you have to deal with much harder things than just playing a baseball game."
(On what he expects to see from Fullerton tomorrow) "They just battle. With a few strikes, they just put the ball in play force you to make plays. They make a lot of contact so you just have to go at them on the strike zone. Maybe expand the zone a little bit. Try to get them to swing at some balls out of the zone."
Louisville Senior OF Mike White
(Did you have a different feeling this week coming into this game) "Honestly, coming off of last weekend and not performing as good as I hoped. I just need to get back in the mindset of being aggressive early in my bats and not missing fast balls. So this week I just worked on being ready to hit and being in a relaxed position. I was able to do that a little bit this weekend."
(On his last at-bat)"Honestly just two outs I knew I had to try to move the ball. I knew he was probably going to come right at me. I missed a pitch I probably should have swung at and I wasn't patient enough. I think I had the right mindset going into the at-bat, I think I just got a little too over aggressive with two strikes."
(On the focus for tomorrow) "We just have to come out tomorrow and play the baseball we know how to play. And Brendan is going to give us a great start and he always does and he gives us a chance. Defensively we have to play clean and offensively, when we get opportunities early we just have to capitalize on those. We need to make sure we scratch one or two across and give ourselves a chance."
