UCLA-Nevada Post-Game Quotes
May 17, 2008 | Softball
May 17, 2008
NCAA Softball Regional at UCLA - Game 3
May 17, 2008
UCLA vs. Nevada
Nevada Head Coach Michelle Gardner
"I really felt we had opportunities but didn't take advantage early. We had the lead and had runners on, but we didn't score runs. I'm disappointed."
(On the 7th inning error by 2B Kym Silagyi) "I think she panicked a little and needed to make the play faster. Obviously, we win the game right there if we get the out. We had runners in scoring position I can't tell you how many innings and did not score."
"We can play with anyone in the country. I have felt like that for a long time as the season progressed. Yes, we should have put that game away, but we're not. Bottom line is we have to come out and play no matter who's on the other side of field, no matter if you're on loser's bracket or winner's bracket."
"Bottom line is it's three games to win the regional. We're very capable, but we have to put a team away when you have the opportunity. We had multiple runners in scoring position, but we didn't come up with the hit to put it away. UCLA, from one through nine, they are very, very solid. Not that we're not (solid), but we just needed to put them away early."
Nevada Outfielder Brittany Puzey
"We are confident going into our next game. We're fired up and ready to play. We can compete with both teams and fire up our bats for both teams. It's frustrating, but you come back. It's disappointing, but you don't come in with a defeatist attitude."
(On UCLA's pitcher Megan Langenfeld) "We hit her. We hit her hard, but we didn't get the clutch hit we needed to win this game. For whatever reason, they just weren't falling."
Nevada Pitcher Richelle Villescas "I just went out there and tried to get my team an opportunity. They started catching on, and we had opportunities to shut the door and we didn't."
(On the next game) "You just take it one game at a time. We'll approach it the same way. You don't forget about this; it just makes you work harder."
UCLA Head Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez
"I'm so proud of the fight in this team. They've done it all year. They played to the last out, and that's the tradition of UCLA softball. Today was more of an opportunity to showcase the Bruins stepping up. Today we have Katie Schroeder, Amanda Kamekona, Ashley Herrera, and Megan Langenfeld just stepped up to the plate. And more importantly, freshman Monica Harrison, down to our last out, did a great job of setting the table. It was a day of opportunity and what we call being able to be prepared to be the one, and people stepped up today."
(On the difference between the Nevada team they faced in February) "I don't think any of us really remembered that first team that we played in February. They were simply the first opponent that we were going to face. So we sat down and took a look at film knowing that these would be two completely different teams coming into post-season. They've had a great year, and we've had a great year. We knew it would be a dogfight. Honestly, it's two completely different games."
(On keeping the team's spirits up) "Just keep on fighting. The most impressive thing about this team is they pull together. When they pull together and stay together, they have a focus that's impressive to watch. They know how to play the game, they're looking to get someone on, move them over and get someone in position to be the one. That's all it is. That's what we do in every inning. It paid off today."
(On the ground ball that led to an error that prolonged the 7th inning) "It's called Bruin magic. You keep on believing and keep on fighting. Cash (Ashley Herrera) runs out that ball 100 percent and anything can happen. The game doesn't know, so you play all out and that's all we have control over."
(On fighting for the games making the team stronger) "We already know if we play perfect softball, if things go our way then it's going to be a great game. But if things don't go our way because we don't have control over that, they're that much more prepared for when that happens. As a coach, I couldn't be more proud. When they walk away learning from the experience they just gained, that is valuable at this time of the year. So I sit here very pleased with what happened today because so many people stepped up, and now they have that in their basket. They know they can come back."
UCLA Outfielder Katie Schroeder
"Coach just really touched on that it's all about experience. We're so young but we're making our experience for us so we'll be ready. There are teams blowing each other out 10-0, and we're actually fighting to win to go on to Super Regionals and go on to Oklahoma. It's all about experience, and that's what we took from that game."
(On her key RBIs) "I was just trying to get my team into the game again. That's what it's all about - just stepping up. Anyone would have done it on my team, but I just happened to be the one that was in that position. It just worked out for me."
UCLA Pitcher Megan Langenfeld
(On entering in the second inning with runners on) "It's not that hard. We try and practice that same type of mentality just during a bullpen, just knowing that you're going to be in the fire and all you want to do is throw strikes and try and get your defense out of there without having anyone advance. We did a really good job of that today."
(On staying composed after the first batter got a hit) "You just get past that batter, you really don't think of it, and try and move on. You just take it one batter at a time, and even though that first batter got you, you just think about getting the next one."