June 4, 2006
NCAA WOMEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES
Don E. Porter ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 7: 3, 1
HEAD COACH Clint Myers
Opening comment:
"I thought it was a well-pitched ballgame and we had timely hitting. Knabe over here put us on the board with her home run. We're excited, this has been an awesome trip to beat . We're just really excited and we're looking forward to playing some good softball."
On eliminating another Pac-10 school:
"It's a shame. It's such a strong conference, but one of us had to knock the other out because that's the way the bracket is set up. You hate to see that, but the Pac-10 conference is awesome. The coaches, the players - it is the best softball."
SOPHOMORE Katie Burkhart
On coming into this game:
"I knew I needed to buckle down and so I came out there with a fire in my stomach and I knew there was no way I wanted to go home. Personally, I came out with that desire and I know our whole team did and it showed."
On Brianne McGowan's home run:
"After that home run I was kicking myself. It was on a rise ball and in her previous at bat she teed that one off pretty well and I knew that - it happens. I'm still young and I'm still learning. But my mentality definitely changed. I really wanted it more after she got that home run. I hate to give up home runs to their pitcher."
HEAD COACH KIRK WALKER
On the game:
" is a great program; they came out on fire today. We kind of expected that, too, after having a disappointing outing against offensively. They swing the bat extremely well and they did a great job of forcing Brianne (McGowan) to throw strikes. And then when she did they would jump on it. The difference in the ballgame was their fire. We had probably our best batting practice all year and I definitely thought we were relaxed and ready to play. I just think that we weren't able to match their fire right off the bat and we didn't get going until later on."
On the team's first experience in the WCWS:
"Overall, I'm very proud of their focus and how they played. They came in and for the most part were not intimidated by their opponents, by the game or by the stadium. It is always very difficult to go into this type of play and they did a pretty great job. Certainly, we weren't perfect. There are things that we need to work on. We didn't execute our game plan today offensively. There are things we will work on in the offseason but this was a great experience physically and emotionally. Most importantly, they have now had a taste of the World Series and hopefully that will inspire them to be at a different level in the fall."
JUNIOR BRIANNE McGOWAN
About playing three Pac-10 teams in WCWS:
"It just shows how good our conference is. Three Pac-10 schools in postseason, it's going to be a battle every game."
SENIOR LISA ALLAN
On her feelings after playing her last collegiate game:
"It's a little hard to take at the end of the year. We came out and played and, unfortunately, we didn't come out on top. But I know this team has the talent to be here next year."
On 's senior class:
"The senior class really brought this program to a whole new level. I hope that it will help recruiting for them. I couldn't ask for anything more, to be at the College World Series. It's every girl's dream."