Postgame Quotes – UCLA vs. LMU
POSTGAME QUOTES
UCLA 7, LMU 1
Easton Stadium
May 21, 2022
The Shelly Carlin UCLA Head Softball Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez
opening statement
“First and foremost, so much credit to LMU. I just saw Tairia (Flowers), and she has flipped that program. Very tough, both parts of the game. They don’t give up. And we had to change up a little bit of our strategy to figure out a way to win today. But it was a big one, and I’m very proud of our team’s ability to adjust and be able to continue to fight. Megan (Faraimo) got stronger, as you saw, throughout the game, but ultimately it was a team win today. A lot of different players contributed, and it’s a big one. To be able to get to the championship is what it’s all about. I’m very proud of the team win today.”
on the scoring load in the sixth inning
“At this time in the season, it’s whatever it takes to win. We had quality at-bats. We had an inning that we had an opportunity with the bases loaded, and we let some of those opportunities slip away, probably pressed a little bit too much, but we were hitting the ball hard. And when you hit the ball hard and you don’t get outcome, I told the girls it puts you in a position to think you have to do more. And we flipped it to do actually what’s another part of our arsenal, which is our short game and speed. So we’re very fortunate to have such great athletes who compete and also have the ability to use short game speed to create some havoc, and that’s what we needed to do today. We needed to find a way to win, and, once again, I’m proud of the team’s ability to adjust and finish the game strong.”
on Jenna Perez’s performance
“She’s a quality pitcher. First time we’ve seen her. I think her defense played behind her today, and she came up with some big pitches. Her off-speed was effective, but clearly has some pitches that you’ve got to battle. We weren’t able to square balls up, and then we did. It’s not what she’s not; it’s more about our ability to make an adjustment. She’s a quality pitcher, throws with some decent velo, also has a great off-speed and is a competitor. And we put pressure on the defense, and I think that was the game-changer today. We had to find a way to put pressure on the defense, but we were hitting balls hard. It’s just finding ways to win is where we’re at at this point in the season.”
on the team’s depth
“I credit Lisa Fernandez and the ability to recruit versatility. We have just some of the top athletes in the country that can go some other places and be superstars, but we’re able to recruit some quality players that may not make the starting lineup but can come in at any time. So versatility is our strength. We have a lot of great athletes that are committed to doing whatever they can for the team. And a day like today, strategy-wise, we went deeper than we probably ever have, and I think that allowed us to focus on defense, which is actually a priority. And we have a little saying – the game knows. Anytime I put someone new into the game, the ball goes right to them. It’s crazy. So that is also a responsibility where they have to be ready for any situation at any time. That’s a strength of UCLA Softball – versatility and team culture to be able to do whatever they can to help the team.”
on the pass the bat mentality
“UCLA Softball is at our best when the bottom of the lineup is doing some damage, and it brings us back up to the top (of the lineup), and you could feel that. You could see that today. We had quality at-bats, we had to find a way to win. It was a little bit of a goal for the team to get to the short game today, knowing that we’re capable and we have speed, and we have that short game, so it was pretty awesome that they got three in a row literally to create a lot of havoc. So anytime the bottom half can get us back up to the top, watch out. That’s when we’re at our best.”
R-Sr. SS Briana Perez
on if it’s frustrating to make hard contact but not get the outcome
“Our first goal in the first inning was just to get more than four batters to the plate, and we accomplished that, so from there just move on and if you don’t get it done, then you know it will come later on. Honestly, the goal is to pass the bat, and that’s what we did in the first inning.”
R-Jr. RHP Megan Faraimo
on how she felt on the mound
“I was feeling pretty good. That first inning was rough. Obviously, I gave up a home run, but at the end of the day, I’m always confident that my team is going to have my back, and the first thing Lanie (Wisz) said after she hit that was ‘All right. Now’s the time to respond.’ So that was really good.”
on the quick 1-2-3 innings late in the game
“That was huge. Shoutout defense because I think a couple of innings there were plays being made left and right, which was cool. But I think that’s a big momentum thing; if we can get back in the dugout and back to scoring runs, that’s good for the Bruins.”
UCLA 7, LMU 1
Easton Stadium
May 21, 2022
The Shelly Carlin UCLA Head Softball Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez
opening statement
“First and foremost, so much credit to LMU. I just saw Tairia (Flowers), and she has flipped that program. Very tough, both parts of the game. They don’t give up. And we had to change up a little bit of our strategy to figure out a way to win today. But it was a big one, and I’m very proud of our team’s ability to adjust and be able to continue to fight. Megan (Faraimo) got stronger, as you saw, throughout the game, but ultimately it was a team win today. A lot of different players contributed, and it’s a big one. To be able to get to the championship is what it’s all about. I’m very proud of the team win today.”
on the scoring load in the sixth inning
“At this time in the season, it’s whatever it takes to win. We had quality at-bats. We had an inning that we had an opportunity with the bases loaded, and we let some of those opportunities slip away, probably pressed a little bit too much, but we were hitting the ball hard. And when you hit the ball hard and you don’t get outcome, I told the girls it puts you in a position to think you have to do more. And we flipped it to do actually what’s another part of our arsenal, which is our short game and speed. So we’re very fortunate to have such great athletes who compete and also have the ability to use short game speed to create some havoc, and that’s what we needed to do today. We needed to find a way to win, and, once again, I’m proud of the team’s ability to adjust and finish the game strong.”
on Jenna Perez’s performance
“She’s a quality pitcher. First time we’ve seen her. I think her defense played behind her today, and she came up with some big pitches. Her off-speed was effective, but clearly has some pitches that you’ve got to battle. We weren’t able to square balls up, and then we did. It’s not what she’s not; it’s more about our ability to make an adjustment. She’s a quality pitcher, throws with some decent velo, also has a great off-speed and is a competitor. And we put pressure on the defense, and I think that was the game-changer today. We had to find a way to put pressure on the defense, but we were hitting balls hard. It’s just finding ways to win is where we’re at at this point in the season.”
on the team’s depth
“I credit Lisa Fernandez and the ability to recruit versatility. We have just some of the top athletes in the country that can go some other places and be superstars, but we’re able to recruit some quality players that may not make the starting lineup but can come in at any time. So versatility is our strength. We have a lot of great athletes that are committed to doing whatever they can for the team. And a day like today, strategy-wise, we went deeper than we probably ever have, and I think that allowed us to focus on defense, which is actually a priority. And we have a little saying – the game knows. Anytime I put someone new into the game, the ball goes right to them. It’s crazy. So that is also a responsibility where they have to be ready for any situation at any time. That’s a strength of UCLA Softball – versatility and team culture to be able to do whatever they can to help the team.”
on the pass the bat mentality
“UCLA Softball is at our best when the bottom of the lineup is doing some damage, and it brings us back up to the top (of the lineup), and you could feel that. You could see that today. We had quality at-bats, we had to find a way to win. It was a little bit of a goal for the team to get to the short game today, knowing that we’re capable and we have speed, and we have that short game, so it was pretty awesome that they got three in a row literally to create a lot of havoc. So anytime the bottom half can get us back up to the top, watch out. That’s when we’re at our best.”
R-Sr. SS Briana Perez
on if it’s frustrating to make hard contact but not get the outcome
“Our first goal in the first inning was just to get more than four batters to the plate, and we accomplished that, so from there just move on and if you don’t get it done, then you know it will come later on. Honestly, the goal is to pass the bat, and that’s what we did in the first inning.”
R-Jr. RHP Megan Faraimo
on how she felt on the mound
“I was feeling pretty good. That first inning was rough. Obviously, I gave up a home run, but at the end of the day, I’m always confident that my team is going to have my back, and the first thing Lanie (Wisz) said after she hit that was ‘All right. Now’s the time to respond.’ So that was really good.”
on the quick 1-2-3 innings late in the game
“That was huge. Shoutout defense because I think a couple of innings there were plays being made left and right, which was cool. But I think that’s a big momentum thing; if we can get back in the dugout and back to scoring runs, that’s good for the Bruins.”