CAL STATE FULLERTON QUOTES
George Horton (Cal State Fullerton Head Coach)...
"This was a good game for both teams and I am very disappointed in the way that we played, but you can take nothing away from a good Arizona State team. Our team did not play well early and when our bats did come alive, it was a little too late. I have to tip my hat to (Ryan) Schroyer and the way that he pitched and we hit the ball a lot harder off him than I had expected, but their team made some great defensive plays that keep us from scoring."
On the ASU fans...
"Having so many people travel from Tempe was good for them and I thought that we might respond a little better to the amount of noise that they made. Hearing all the ASU fans rally behind their team might have had an effect on our guys, but we did not take that as a challenge and when we did begin to come alive, the timing was too late."
Cal State Fullerton First Baseman Richie Burgos...
"I felt a lot of momentum from us once we started getting the bats going, but their defense was good and their pitching was outstanding."
On his solo home run...
"I went up their relaxed and knew the scouting report on the pitcher and expected a fastball. When I saw the fastball, it was easy to pick up and I got the good part of the bat on the ball and drove it over the right field fence."
Cal State Fullerton Outfielder Shane Costa...
"(Ben) Thurmond for ASU mixed things up well and we had opportunities, but could not get the clutch hits off him when we needed them."
On tomorrow's game...
"This team has to do the same things that they have done all year to get us to this point. We have to have positive imagery, not get too excited, play hard and do the good things that will help us win."
Cal State Fullerton Infielder Jason Corapci...
"We hit the ball hard all day and anything could have happened if some of those hits were able to find open field."
On 1st-inning error...
"Once I stopped the ball, I knew that there was no chance to get the runner at 1st, but saw the guy on 3rd slip and once I threw the ball, I knew that Ronnie (Prettyman) was not looking and I attempted to yell out his name but it was too late. All in all, there was no communication on the play and things just did not go our way today."
ARIZONA STATE QUOTES
Pat Murphy (Arizona State Head Coach)...
"This was great ball game and both teams did good things. (Ben) Thurmond is big game pitcher and the reason that we took him out in the 5th was due to a blister that had opened and we could not get it shut. He gave up hits, but was able to make big pitches when needed."
On tomorrow's game...
"Our goal all year has been to win a national title and it is going to take a team effort in order to do that. I think that everyone will be ready to go tomorrow because they know that this is a do or die situation."
ASU Outfielder Andre Ethier...
"Our hitting gave our offense a lot of confidence and each batter knew that they could go out there and produce because they saw what the person in front of them was doing."
On tomorrow's game...
"Tomorrow is going to be a battle and neither team is going to lay over and let the other team walk away with the win."
ASU First Baseman Jeff Larish...
On his two-run home run...
"I was looking for a ball up and I am happy that I was able to produce and help this team earn a big win in a pressure situation."
On ASU fans...
"Everyone that came from Tempe and supported us gave this team a huge boost and this entire team appreciates everything that they put into this game and hopefully tomorrow they will do the same thing."
ASU Closer Ryan Schroyer
"Everyone on the field helped me out when I needed it, and I appreciate that tremendously. I was very pumped up coming into the game because I knew that the defense behind me could get the job done as long as I did my job on the mound. We knew that we had our backs against the wall and this was a must win time and we are going into tomorrow's game with the same mindset."