University of North Carolina Athletics
St. John's 5, North Carolina 4 - Quotes
June 2, 2012 | Baseball
June 2, 2012
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2012 NCAA Chapel Hill Regional
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Game 4: St. John's 5, North Carolina 4
St. John's Head Coach Ed Blankmeyer
Opening statement:
"I just thought you witnessed a great college baseball game. I thought the two left-handers pitched extremely well. The opportunities to score runs were not that many. The defensive play was good and we got a key hit at the end. A typical storybook ending for a game like that. You never know. That's why this game is the greatest game around."
On the performance of Sean Hagan:
"He knows how to pitch. He stayed the course and he made quality pitches. What Sean does is he pitches to contact. He keeps us involved in the game and the guys are confident behind him. Whatever situation he's in or whatever evolves he seems to get out of. It's great playing behind a guy like that."
Junior Catcher Danny Bethea
On his 9th inning home run:
"He started off throwing me a slider, a good pitch, for a strike. I was looking for something I could elevate to stay out of the double play, and he threw me a fastball up and in and I was fortunate enough to get my hands through... It's something that I'll always remember. At first I was in shock as to what actually happened. Right when I rounded first and saw the ball go over his mitt I got really pumped. Rounding third I just saw all my teammates surrounding me and it was just a great feeling. I'll always remember that. It was awesome."
Junior Starting Pitcher Sean Hagan
On the team's past experiences
"The first year, you're just happy to be there, you're kind of complacent. Last year I thought we really were still excited about how we got in and maybe didn't focus on getting to the next round a lot. This year it's been a completely different feel from the get-go. From day one of the Big East tournament, when we started rolling, there was just this confidence behind everybody. We know we still have work to do. Two years ago we had to work our way through the losers bracket so I think fighting through that adversity has helped us. Right now we just have to focus on winning one more game."
North Carolina Head Coach Mike Fox
Opening Statement
"It's a crushing loss, there's no question about it. You've got to give them credit. A big swing of the bat, and a well-pitched game all the way around. I wondered if those opportunities we had early in the game may come back and get us. I think in hindsight it looks like they did. I make that move every time without question, to put Michael (Morin) in the game. We wouldn't be playing in this regional without him. This will be a tough one to get over, but we don't have any choice. We've got to be back on the field tomorrow. Hats off to St. John's for getting a win."
On replacing pitcher Kent Emanuel in the 9th inning:
"I thought he was throwing his best at the end. I think he got stronger as the game went on. I thought both pitchers were sensational."
On North Carolina's hitting:
"Shell's one of those guys who come on late. He obviously had a big home run for us earlier in the year. You try not to think about what the score should be. It is what it is. (Sean)Hagan did just enough. He doesn't strike out many guys. He does just enough to keep you off count. We got into some really good counts. Tommy's a good player. I'm proud to see him come back and get big hits for us."
Junior Pitcher Michael Morin
On his feeling during the game:
"Same thing happened yesterday. I came out and I was fine. I just left the ball up, and now we're here. I wasn't overwhelmed at the situation or anything like that. I was calm and I just wasn't throwing strikes. I just didn't feel comfortable."
"I was completely calm. I wanted the ball. I was really excited to go back out there. There's a difference between being excited and being nervous, and I really wasn't nervous at all. It is what it is. Like coach said, we've got to play tomorrow, so I'll be ready tomorrow, and we will be as a team. It's something you've got to look past."
Freshman Right Fielder Shell McCain
On his home run:
"He threw me a change-up low. Anything low really is a pitch I like to get, and I just did my job at the plate."
On the mood in the North Carolina locker room:
"It's pretty down right now. Our guys will come out ready to play tomorrow, I know that for sure."
