UC Irvine-Fresno State Quotes
May 30, 2009 | Baseball
Day One Quotes - UC Irvine
Mike Gillespie
Danny Bibona
Jordan Fox
Eric Pettis
Opening Statement (MG):
We saw the same game, it was not a lot that happened. I think that we have good pitching from all three guys. We had three great defensive plays, a couple double plays. Orloff made a good play in first and ninth inning. We had a couple breaks, a couple guys hit by pitches, base on balls that drove in a run, all helped us.
On Bibona's Performance (MG):
Coachs: I think it was pretty generic Bibona, which is good. Not in any way negative. What we saw tonight was typically what we see with him. It's hard to get a hit off of him, and I think that was pretty much what we have come to expect from him.
On Bibona's Performance, all of baseball (MG):
I've seen him throw in two year period, I think this ranks among his good ones. He hasn't had many games in two years where he hasn't been good. He's been very, very consistent. We're spoiled by that because we've come to expect it anytime he's out there.
On upcoming matchup with Virginia (MG):
I think it's undeniable that they're really good. They are a very, very good team. Clearly, on the short list of the best teams we've seen in either of the last two years.
On being a freshman getting the start (JF)
Felt great just having fans behind us, I could feel the electricity. Happy I got the start, and that coach believed in me that I can get the job done, it felt great.
On effectiveness of pitches (DB):
I felt like all my pitches were working well tonight. I thought earlier in the game it was a lot more fastball-changeup, and I thought later in the game I went more breaking ball-fastball. They were all working tonight which could lead to good night, and that's what happened.
Reaction to HR (DB):
I felt like I was locked in whole game, I felt very focused. Made a bad pitch, and he hit it very far. Stood there and watched it go to the scoreboard, I was impressed. I just got back on the mound.
On decision to start Fox tonight (MG):
We have two outfielders hurt, statistics will tell you, he hasn't had much opportunity, but with at bats he's had, he just has hung in there, clubbed away, given us really good at bats. His history as a high school player has been really being able to hit. He really can hit. Honestly he set a CIF record his Junior year for hits, then went and broke it his Senior year. He's not impressive in batting practice. His bat speed dials up conspicuously in games, may surprise him to hear this. He's not the biggest guy, but wasn't a tough decision on choosing him to start.
On being dialed in (EP):
A team like this can really hit the long ball, so you gotta focus on being in the zone and do what you always do.
Game 2 Quotes - Fresno State
Opening statement from Mike Batesole...
Batesole: That was a heck of a college baseball game right there. It was very well pitched, there was outstanding defense on both ends and that's exactly what you expect to see. We hit a couple of guys and walked a guy right in a row there and they capitalized. That's what championship ball clubs do. But that was one heck of a Division I college game.
Batesole on having back against the wall...
Batesole: We are going to come out tomorrow the same we came out today. We have [Matt] Morse throwing tomorrow. We are going to come out, try to control the zone, play good defense and see how it goes.
Dusty Robinson and Jake Johnson on UCI starting pitcher...
Robinson: He mixed his speeds very well. You have to give him credit, he threw a great game. We got a couple hits here and there but one bad inning cost us.
Johnson: He kept us off balance very well and you have to give him credit.
Robinson: He hits his spots very well and that's what makes him a good pitcher.
Freshman pitcher Derek Benny on fourth inning struggles...
Benny: I was trying to bust a couple of guys in but I got in a little far and hit a couple guys on the elbow. I just lost a little control and focus that inning.
Batesole: You don't have 105 hit by pitches by accident. They're good at it.
Batesole on pitching performance by Benny
Batesole: I was very proud of what he did. He pitched outstanding. He came out and did exactly what we wanted him to do. He was throwing breaking balls when he had to, he pitched them backwards the second time through and he pitched an outstanding game.
Batesole's thoughts on facing a left-handed strikeout pitcher
Batesole: He was outstanding. He's a first-team All-American and has three strikeout pitches. His change-up is outstanding, his curveball was outstanding and he was putting his fastball exactly where he wanted to put it. He was outstanding. That's why he is who he is.
Batesole: We've seen some pretty good left-handed pitchers throughout the year. Not to this quality but we've seen them.
Robinson on how much the team has left in the tank
Robinson: Like coach said earlier, we are going to treat every game like we always do. We are going to come out tomorrow with the same fire and the same mentality.
