May 17, 2007
Post-Game Quotes From NCAA Softball Regional
Game ASU vs.
Coach Myers:
Thoughts on the game: "Well for some of the team, it wasn't the best game we've played all season, we didn't show what we were completely capable of offensively. I thought Katie [Burkhart] pitched a phenomenal game, and she kept us in it. She never gave up and never showed fatigue which is the drive her teammates needed to finally win it for her.
On Katie Burkhart: "What more can you really say that her stats don't? She's had 23 strikeouts in a game before, but it took her 11 innings then with what she did in just nine today. She played phenomenally, striking out 23 and allowing only two hits and as a coach I can't ask more from my pitcher than what she gave today. Now we just need to get the offense to support her play on the mound.
On Rhiannon Baca: "We are definitely a team that can have anyone of the 19 on the roster star on any given day. Today was Rhi's day to be the offensive star and we needed it. She looked comfortable out there and showed what she's capable of. She's come out to shine before and it may surprise other teams, but it doesn't surprise us, she's a tremendous player with tremendous power at the plate."
On the her success at the plate: "Today was just one of those days where I felt comfortable at the plate, I was seeing the ball well and I fouled off a lot of pitches to stay deep in the count before I found one I liked. I'm just glad I was able to help us out with Burkhart pitching an amazing game, we all need to step in and support her and today was my day."
Were you surprised they pitched to you with runners on second and third in your last at bat?
"No, not really, it didn't surprise me that they pitched to me, but I was glad they did. I didn't think they'd walk me to a bases loaded situation, so I did the same as before where I fouled off and took a strike and saw what she had to offer before seeing my pitch and taking it down the line."
On her success today: "Until I was just told, I had no idea how many strikeouts I had, I knew I was hitting my spots well and I just wanted to keep us in the game. That's my job, to keep us in it until we can win it. The strikeouts and records are nice, but it's not what we're or I'm after, we want the win, we want to advance."
On pitching tomorrow: "I want the ball. I want to pitch, and if coach is confident I can go out there and throw another game after nine innings today, I'd love to go out there and do it. We all came her to play, and I'd never shy away from taking the ball and representing ASU to the fullest pitch after pitch until I have nothing left."