May 24, 2008
SUPER REGIONAL/TEMPE, ARIZ. (ASU ADVANCES TO CWS)
ASU (61-5) 9, NORTHWESTERN (40-16) 0
ASU COACH Clint Myers
(Talking about if this team is better than last year's team that advanced to CWS)
"This is a better team. It has better chemistry. It has better talent. The weakest part might be the coaching. You see these three ladies here (all seniors). They are the heart and soul of the club. We have great leadership. It is their club. We are trying to establish a philosophy and tradition. This is the first class that has really taken it to heart. They set a perfect example. They are role models. You bring your son or daughter to a game and watch these kids play, you understand how to play sports. With your heart and your mind and your commitment and desire. All of these intangibles our seniors possess. Each day there is a different hero. It is going to be a fun trip."
(On Katie Burkhart)
"Katie (Burkhart) is clearly one of the best if not the best pitcher in the country. She has grown and matured. I am extremely proud of her as a person and her ability as a pitcher speaks for itself. Ask any of them how much they have matured and how much that means to them now."
(On moving Kaitlin Cochran to the leadoff spot)
"You noticed it was a different lineup today. They weren't going to let Katie beat them. If they wanted to walk her to start the game, we will take the walk to start the game. We had it scripted with what we wanted to do all the way down the line. That (scoring nine runs) shows you the talent level even when you have such a phenomenal hitter.
(On if he felt the last two years he could win the World Series)
"You always think you have a chance to win. But this team is a better team."
(On getting an early lead
"It is really nice having the lead early. You can't settle in too much but it obviously is a nice position to have."
(On their third trip to )
"We are really excited. There always has been satisfied to get there but maybe overwhelmed with situation. Our motto this year is it is another softball game. This year with our chemistry and our talent, it can be a lot different."
'S Mindy Cowles
(On their third trip to )
"The other years we went to knowing we were there with seven great teams. This year we think we are the great team, that we are the one. Our attitude has changed from previous years."
(On the home run and what Coach Myers said to him before the home run)
"He put his fist up and his face was bright red and his veins were popping up. He just wanted me to do something."
Northwestern Head Coach Kate Drohan
Opening Statement:
"First I'd like to congratulate and wish them luck in the series although I don't think they'll need it. The second thing I'd like to do is to thank the Northwestern University Athletic Department, our student athletes and our families for a great 2008 campaign. They fought hard every step of the way."
On ASU:
"Offensively, they are really clicking. They took advantage of everything we gave them today. They did a nice job putting pressure on us and when [ASU pitcher Katie Burkhart] Burkhart gets the lead she feels comfortable out there."
On whether or not they felt they had a chance to win:
"I thought we were still in it for sure. That was our team attitude, but we just couldn't string anything together. I thought we had some good chances."
Northwestern Infielder Darcy Sengewald
On the season:
"I thought we had a great season. All 16 of us did a great job. It was definitely an honor to be on that team. Even though our season ends today, I thought we did a really great job."
Northwestern Pitcher Lauren Delaney
On pitching two days in row:
"I thought coming out, it was the same as yesterday. I just fell behind some batters and it wasn't what we wanted to do today. I felt good; I've pitched back-to-back games all season. They just played better and I wasn't clicking or getting pitches I needed to at the time."