May 16, 2002
UMBC HEAD COACH JOE FRENCH
“I’m excited that we won this game. This was UMBC’s first NCAA Tournament win in any sport. We got big hits and a big pinch-hit by Angie (Amedro) that got us started. Lisa (Boone) pushed her hitting streak to 29 games. She and Deanna (Vecchio) are our Thunder and Lightning. That’s what we nicknamed them at the beginning of the season. They can play with anyone. They spark us all the time. When they go, we go.
after the first game (earlier loss to Georgia), we told the team that they can play with these guys. They were too tentative in the first game. They needed to go out there and take it. And that’s what we did in tonight’s game.”
UMBC PLAYER DEANNA VECCHIO
“We did a better job of hitting in the second game than in the first. We were timid in the first game but tonight, we got on the pitcher quicker and were more aggressive.
(On playing two games Thursday) “The sun drained us in the 2 o’clock game against Georgia. We weren’t tired from the game, but just the sun.
(Looking to Friday’s game against Eastern Kentucky) “We just need to do the same types of things that we did tonight. We can’t be scared or afraid. We have to play like we did all season.”
LIBERTY HEAD COACH PAUL WETMORE
“It was a great honor to play against some of the best teams in the country, especially UCLA. These kids had the opportunity of a lifetime. Ever since they were small, they dreamed of stepping on the field with teams like UCLA, and today they did that and did it well. I’m proud of them. We overcame some huge adversities to get here. We shouldn’t even be here, but they (the players) played with heart. I think they just ran out of gas, both physically and emotionally.”
LIBERTY THIRD BASEMAN AMANDA GOC
“We are a little disappointed. We were very happy with the way we played against UCLA, and then to come out here and play pretty sloppy softball was a big letdown. We just didn’t come out and play intense. I think all of the excitement finally caught up with us and it showed on the field.”
