Louisville Super Regional Quotes | June 5, 2025
June 05, 2025 | Baseball
NCAA Super Regional
Louisville, Kentucky | June 5, 2025 | Jim Patterson Stadium
Press Conference Transcription
Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell: (Opening Statement) "I really enjoy seeing the media in June, that means Louisville baseball is still going strong. I am super happy and excited to be here. I am super proud of these guys. They know when they choose to come to the University of Louisville that it is about putting it on the line. There is a little more weight on their shoulders, a little more edge and fire to them because they know they are going to be a part of the legacy, not just leaving their mark on the program, but getting us back on track. The reason these guys came here and the guys coming out of high school, the junior college guys and even the transfer portal guys are all aware of where we were at. That is their challenge: to restore and rejuvenate and closed the book on that because this is their year, their team, their season. They don't have to carry any weight from the past, they just have a chance to learn and grow. There were a lotta, lotta, lotta good things this season but it wasn't unblemished by any means. We had our moments. As we like to say in boxing teams, in honor of Muhammad Ali, we got knocked to the mat more often than we would have wanted but we trusted the process and that is part of the learning. The tests you go through in the baseball season can prepare you to play good baseball in the post season and these guys are doing that."
(About pitching in the regional) "As Patrick Forbes said, just pitch to your strengths. We have respect for our opponent. We spend more time than we probably should scouting reports and being prepared and that is all good. But do what you do well and trust your stuff. I said it about Patrick, but it is really for the whole pitching staff all year. Give guys a chance to grow and go through the ups and downs. This was an exciting year for Patrick. He went through some highs and some lows. Then we rested him for a few weeks, preparing him for life. Obviously talented guys like these guys, you are preparing them for pro ball. When I brag on (pitching) Coach (Roger) Willams, preparing guys to pitch in the post season, I think the other big caveat is that he is preparing his guys to pitch at the next level. They move through a pro system. You preach to these guys when you recruit them and this is what you lay out. They are the ones that have to do it, buy in and believe in. We are like proud papas, we want them to have this fun and this enjoyment because they work hard and they are talented. I will say that these kids deserve a lot of credit for who they are, not just as baseball players. But it is awesome as a coach to get complimentary emails from folks on the road, hotel managers, restaurant owners about how well they acted and how they treat people. They may not be the best tippers in the world yet but I am trying to nudge them a little more. They are learning it. Budgets are a little tight for the college kids, of course."
(About ticket sales and fan experiences and expectation at a Super Regional) "I think our fans already said it, when they said the tickets are already sold out as quickly as they have. We have hosted a lot of regionals and super regionals and outside playing our rival here in 2017, I can't imagine tickets ever going that quick. It is good that they are starving for this and wanting to be a part of it. It is a blessing and I always say we try to get our fans as close to football season and fall sports' success as we can. Many loyal fans are very familiar with who we are and how we play. For those haven't, I think they are going to get a treat this weekend."
(About joining in the success of the other sports at UofL) "It is what we have always wanted. It is a great challenge. Fortunately, all the great football teams, basketball teams, soccer teams, swimming and diving, field hockey and volleyball, I could go on and on. Some years, you have to carry the flag, because others are going through a low and if we have to carry the flag, we are honored to carry the flag. We had to do our part because some team in the fall or the winter and our athletic program is like life. You go through some lulls and get in some valleys. But it is cool to see how we bounce back. It is awesome. I know these guys appreciate the success of the other sports. I am just glad we are doing our part in a great athletic program, in a great year after some tough years. I am excited to say we are trying to get as close to football as we can and the blessing of a (head football coach) Jeff Brohm and the fall sports. Man, it is awesome."
(About leadership in the upcoming super regionals) "I don't ever want to pass the buck as a leader, but these guys have to know that I will do everything I can to help them. But, I am sitting here today because this is a player-driven, player-led program. This group has been phenomenal this year. It doesn't mean that they are perfect, but they have righted the ship and held each other accountable and had some heart-to-heart meetings. They set a standard. It is my job is to go in line with them because they are the ones who want to do it. We have a responsibility to lead them, put our arm around them or kick them in the rear if they need it. This group is ready. It is funny. I talk to coaches a lot about our former players, who are going into coaching or might be going into coaching and experience gets brought up a lot. As a topic that comes up such as 'is this guy worthy to be on my staff or not'. I often downplay it. There is a lot of bad experience. There is a lot of mediocre experience. Experience is nice. Take somebody who is young, hungry and driven and you can help mold them. If Coastal Carolina can win a national championship with literally no experience of being in a regional, a super regional or Omaha, I am disappointed that I haven't been able to take a team to Omaha and win a national championship. I am glad there is some experience floating around the program but I am kind of glad these guys don't know what the next level is like. I have downplayed the next level because this week is the greatest weekend in college baseball. This is the greatest weekend in college baseball. I want them to enjoy it. Because of their leadership, I am not worried about their experience. Sometimes it is better to not have that experience, if that is what you want to call it, because they are worried about the next step. They don't even know what the next step is. They know what it is like to play in Jim Patterson Stadium in front of some great crowds. That is all they need to focus on."
(On dealing with adversity throughout the season)
Lucas Moore, Sophomore, OF
"It's definitely difficult. Losing sucks, but adversity is good. There was never a point where it feels like everything was going wrong. It's like, whatever happens, it's good, we can learn something from it. We kept learning and kept growing, we kept getting better. And yeah, I think for a group from last year that me and Patrick got to be a part of that, that felt, the feeling of missing a regional altogether, and that sickening feeling that nobody wants to feel ever. It really prepared us, and that's going along with the
struggles that we've had this year, all the adversity, and all the struggles. I feel like it's just made us better and better and helped us just get to where we are now."
(On his role in the success of the pitching staff during regionals)
Patrick Forbes, Junior, RHP
"That was definitely huge, I mean we have been a little inconsistent at times, but we're human, and everybody in here knew what we could do as a pitching staff, so I'm glad we could do it and figure it out at the right time, so that's big."
(On how they were able to bounce back from the ACC Tournament loss in order to
have success in regionals)
Patrick Forbes, Junior, RHP
(About pitching in the regional) "As Patrick Forbes said, just pitch to your strengths. We have respect for our opponent. We spend more time than we probably should scouting reports and being prepared and that is all good. But do what you do well and trust your stuff. I said it about Patrick, but it is really for the whole pitching staff all year. Give guys a chance to grow and go through the ups and downs. This was an exciting year for Patrick. He went through some highs and some lows. Then we rested him for a few weeks, preparing him for life. Obviously talented guys like these guys, you are preparing them for pro ball. When I brag on (pitching) Coach (Roger) Willams, preparing guys to pitch in the post season, I think the other big caveat is that he is preparing his guys to pitch at the next level. They move through a pro system. You preach to these guys when you recruit them and this is what you lay out. They are the ones that have to do it, buy in and believe in. We are like proud papas, we want them to have this fun and this enjoyment because they work hard and they are talented. I will say that these kids deserve a lot of credit for who they are, not just as baseball players. But it is awesome as a coach to get complimentary emails from folks on the road, hotel managers, restaurant owners about how well they acted and how they treat people. They may not be the best tippers in the world yet but I am trying to nudge them a little more. They are learning it. Budgets are a little tight for the college kids, of course."
(About ticket sales and fan experiences and expectation at a Super Regional) "I think our fans already said it, when they said the tickets are already sold out as quickly as they have. We have hosted a lot of regionals and super regionals and outside playing our rival here in 2017, I can't imagine tickets ever going that quick. It is good that they are starving for this and wanting to be a part of it. It is a blessing and I always say we try to get our fans as close to football season and fall sports' success as we can. Many loyal fans are very familiar with who we are and how we play. For those haven't, I think they are going to get a treat this weekend."
(About joining in the success of the other sports at UofL) "It is what we have always wanted. It is a great challenge. Fortunately, all the great football teams, basketball teams, soccer teams, swimming and diving, field hockey and volleyball, I could go on and on. Some years, you have to carry the flag, because others are going through a low and if we have to carry the flag, we are honored to carry the flag. We had to do our part because some team in the fall or the winter and our athletic program is like life. You go through some lulls and get in some valleys. But it is cool to see how we bounce back. It is awesome. I know these guys appreciate the success of the other sports. I am just glad we are doing our part in a great athletic program, in a great year after some tough years. I am excited to say we are trying to get as close to football as we can and the blessing of a (head football coach) Jeff Brohm and the fall sports. Man, it is awesome."
(About leadership in the upcoming super regionals) "I don't ever want to pass the buck as a leader, but these guys have to know that I will do everything I can to help them. But, I am sitting here today because this is a player-driven, player-led program. This group has been phenomenal this year. It doesn't mean that they are perfect, but they have righted the ship and held each other accountable and had some heart-to-heart meetings. They set a standard. It is my job is to go in line with them because they are the ones who want to do it. We have a responsibility to lead them, put our arm around them or kick them in the rear if they need it. This group is ready. It is funny. I talk to coaches a lot about our former players, who are going into coaching or might be going into coaching and experience gets brought up a lot. As a topic that comes up such as 'is this guy worthy to be on my staff or not'. I often downplay it. There is a lot of bad experience. There is a lot of mediocre experience. Experience is nice. Take somebody who is young, hungry and driven and you can help mold them. If Coastal Carolina can win a national championship with literally no experience of being in a regional, a super regional or Omaha, I am disappointed that I haven't been able to take a team to Omaha and win a national championship. I am glad there is some experience floating around the program but I am kind of glad these guys don't know what the next level is like. I have downplayed the next level because this week is the greatest weekend in college baseball. This is the greatest weekend in college baseball. I want them to enjoy it. Because of their leadership, I am not worried about their experience. Sometimes it is better to not have that experience, if that is what you want to call it, because they are worried about the next step. They don't even know what the next step is. They know what it is like to play in Jim Patterson Stadium in front of some great crowds. That is all they need to focus on."
(On dealing with adversity throughout the season)
Lucas Moore, Sophomore, OF
"It's definitely difficult. Losing sucks, but adversity is good. There was never a point where it feels like everything was going wrong. It's like, whatever happens, it's good, we can learn something from it. We kept learning and kept growing, we kept getting better. And yeah, I think for a group from last year that me and Patrick got to be a part of that, that felt, the feeling of missing a regional altogether, and that sickening feeling that nobody wants to feel ever. It really prepared us, and that's going along with the
struggles that we've had this year, all the adversity, and all the struggles. I feel like it's just made us better and better and helped us just get to where we are now."
(On his role in the success of the pitching staff during regionals)
Patrick Forbes, Junior, RHP
"That was definitely huge, I mean we have been a little inconsistent at times, but we're human, and everybody in here knew what we could do as a pitching staff, so I'm glad we could do it and figure it out at the right time, so that's big."
(On how they were able to bounce back from the ACC Tournament loss in order to
have success in regionals)
Patrick Forbes, Junior, RHP
"Yeah, that was tough, the ACC Tournament game. But, I mean, we knew we were going to get a spot in a regional somewhere. Once you get in everyone's record is 0-0, so it doesn't matter where we went. I think we're just kind of ready to flush that and move on from it."
Lucas Moore, Sophomore, OF
"I think it's something Coach Mac [McDonnell] said that it's kind of represented how our year went as a whole, like we were so close. Every weekend we went on the road. We could have taken it for sure. I mean it was just like one game short, like play a little bit better, play a little bit better, and then we go to the ACC
tournament, and we could have won that game, just had to be a little bit better in a couple places. And it left everyone a little angry, frustrated, mad, and I think getting an opportunity to go play in a regional, it's like, no way. Like, no, no way, we're letting that happen. We're locked in, focused, we prepared and got ready to play good baseball. Wiped it."
(Strength of the ACC, given five teams are in the super-regionals)
Patrick Forbes, Junior, RHP
"Personally, I'm not really surprised just seeing everyone in the ACC this year, we knew there was a lot of talent. So, I'm glad the ACC is being well represented.
Lucas Moore, Sophomore, OF
"I think it is awesome that two ACC teams are playing each other in a super regional (Miami vs Louisville). But you watch college baseball all across the country, it really doesn't matter what conference you come from. You see Murray State dogpiling and I think it is really cool that those conferences get represented too. But I think the ACC is up there and can compete with any SEC team. People like to talk about the SEC, I don't think it matters. I think there is a lot of teams playing good postseason baseball. I'm really excited."
(About the home field advantage)
Lucas Moore, Sophomore, OF
"I think it's something Coach Mac [McDonnell] said that it's kind of represented how our year went as a whole, like we were so close. Every weekend we went on the road. We could have taken it for sure. I mean it was just like one game short, like play a little bit better, play a little bit better, and then we go to the ACC
tournament, and we could have won that game, just had to be a little bit better in a couple places. And it left everyone a little angry, frustrated, mad, and I think getting an opportunity to go play in a regional, it's like, no way. Like, no, no way, we're letting that happen. We're locked in, focused, we prepared and got ready to play good baseball. Wiped it."
(Strength of the ACC, given five teams are in the super-regionals)
Patrick Forbes, Junior, RHP
"Personally, I'm not really surprised just seeing everyone in the ACC this year, we knew there was a lot of talent. So, I'm glad the ACC is being well represented.
Lucas Moore, Sophomore, OF
"I think it is awesome that two ACC teams are playing each other in a super regional (Miami vs Louisville). But you watch college baseball all across the country, it really doesn't matter what conference you come from. You see Murray State dogpiling and I think it is really cool that those conferences get represented too. But I think the ACC is up there and can compete with any SEC team. People like to talk about the SEC, I don't think it matters. I think there is a lot of teams playing good postseason baseball. I'm really excited."
(About the home field advantage)
Lucas Moore, Sophomore, OF
"I love playing at home personally, I love getting to show out in front of the city of Louisville, and kind of represent the school and the program a little bit. It's already sold out, so it will probably be one of the bigger crowds that I have ever played in front of. So, it's pretty exciting, but baseball is baseball, so you have to show up and play.
Patrick Forbes, Junior, RHP
"That's kind of the reason most of us came to Louisville. Getting recruited, Coach [McDonnell] would always show us the dogpiling here at Jim Patterson Stadium, so that is kind of the reason you come here, to be a part of this and show off for the fans who come out."
"I love playing at home personally, I love getting to show out in front of the city of Louisville, and kind of represent the school and the program a little bit. It's already sold out, so it will probably be one of the bigger crowds that I have ever played in front of. So, it's pretty exciting, but baseball is baseball, so you have to show up and play.
Patrick Forbes, Junior, RHP
"That's kind of the reason most of us came to Louisville. Getting recruited, Coach [McDonnell] would always show us the dogpiling here at Jim Patterson Stadium, so that is kind of the reason you come here, to be a part of this and show off for the fans who come out."
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballDrafted: Patrick Forbes
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