June 5, 2004
The Citadel Quotes
Head Coach Fred Jordan
It was a good college baseball game. North Carolina maximized on their opportunities with runners in scoring position. We had plenty of opportunities with guys on base and we hit the ball hard, but they didn’t find the holes. That’s just baseball.
(on pitcher Griff Beckham)
I think the swing (of momentum) in the game was when Griff came in the game in the fourth with guys on second and third, and he got out of the jam. He kept us in the ball game and that is what you want out of your bullpen.
(on season)
There is no doubt that it was a success. When you win a championship and go to a regional and come within one swing of being in the regional championship game, you have tobe happy. We lose a great senior in Chip Cannon and a tremendous player in Andy Phillips, and we may lose Jonathan Ellis, but the future looks very bright.
(on USC)
What you try to do is make the championship game, and we came within one swing of being there. South Carolina deserves to be the host and to have the house packed. They won 45 games and that is a credit to the coaching staff and players. We wish them the best.
North Carolina Quotes
Head Coach Mike Fox
Well, today was a long day. The most important thing when you have to play two games in one day in a setup like this is to make sure that your team’s ready emotionally. After coming off a loss like we had against South Carolina, we were more mentally tired than physically tired. We were playing a team that was coming off a big win earlier in the day and that had all day to rest up. Our two senior pitchers tonight were the key to winning this ball game. They put the team on their shoulders and came up with enough outs to get a W. We had enough offense early on in the game to give us a cushion. The hardest part of this regional is being the turnaround team. But, we live to see another day.
(on tomorrow’s starting pitcher)
Everybody’s available for the first game tomorrow. We have not sat down and decided on a starter. We’ll come together as a staff and name one later tonight.
(on the championship game)
We are definitely familiar with this format. We are giving everyone what they want to see, I guess, with the one seed playing the two. Tomorrow is going to be a great challenge for us against a very good ball team in their home stadium. These guys want to keep playing. I have seven seniors that all they are worried about is winning tomorrow. That’s what this game is all about.
Designated Hitter Matt Ellington
I’m just glad to come in off the bench and do whatever the team needs me to do to contribute. I just listened to my coaches’ advice to sit back and stay patient. If I did that, good things would happen. Their advice and my listening paid off tonight.
