Feb. 20, 2011
Head Coach Ray Tanner
Opening statement
I’m very happy about our weekend and winning all three games against Santa Clara. (They are) Well-coached and tremendously disciplined. They averaged seven runs a game last year. I was tremendously concerned going into the weekend and we were able to win three games. All three games we played were in the balance at some point. It wasn’t an easy weekend for us. We had quality pitching and timely hitting. I was grateful and happy about our crowd. We had over 22,000 to 23,000 in that facility and that means a lot to us. We are grateful for that.
On Adam Westmoreland
He was good. The thing that was so important to me was he was comfortable and wasn’t trying to do too much. He was around the strike zone. He seemed like he enjoyed being out there. He hadn’t been out there in a while. I think he has a chance to get better as we go.
On Jackie Bradley Jr. and Adam Matthews
They’re very disciplined hitters. Their approach and emotions are in check the majority of the time. They understand the strike zone for the most part and look for pitches to hit. They’re not afraid to take a pitch. Sometimes I want them to hit before they hit, but they’re good players. If we can get guys on the base, we have a chance to drive those people in.
On if Michael Roth will find a spot at DH
I don’t know. I think it’s important that you have players you can use that aren’t every day guys. He’s going to pitch. That will be his primary responsibility, but I think he’s strong on first base and can swing from the left side. We have to keep those guys in the mix because we’re going to use them. You can’t expect them to perform unless you give them opportunities on a consistent basis.
On Adam Westmoreland
He’s changed from a standpoint that when he was a youngster just getting here, he was a power guy. He was going to beat you with his stuff, not necessarily his pitchability. Now he throws the 2-seam and changeup, and he can throw the breaking ball when he needs to. I think he’s in a good spot right now. His velocity will come along. That was great to see today. The guy hadn’t been out there in a long time. To go out there and enjoy it and be a part of things was great.
On if the weekend rotation will remain the same
It’s still too early to tell. All of our starters gave us solid outings this weekend. You can say they deserve to start next weekend. Maybe they will but I’d still like to see more out of our other guys.
On Christian Walker’s strong weekend
I’m not going to do anything. It’s baseball. That’s what it is. It’s very difficult. He hit close to .500 this weekend and had some RBI’s. Next weekend he can hit the ball harder and have a lot less to show for it. That’s just our game.
On the newcomers
I thought (Peter) Mooney did well. For me he swung the bat better than his numbers indicate. He had good contact and didn’t get a lot of hits but he played well in the field. He’s probably disappointed in his offense, but I’m not disappointed. (Forrest) Koumas today came out throwing the ball pretty well. He walked the first guy and almost walked the second guy. If he would have walked the second guy we would have pulled him. He got threw it and survived. He got his feet wet.
Sophomore First Baseman Christian Walker
On his 6-for-12 weekend with 6 RBI
I’m seeing it pretty well. This is the first time we are seeing pitchers besides our own.
On playing close games and blow outs this weekend
Its good to know our team is versatile like that. You have more confidence at the plate (when the team performs well in different situations). Overall it makes you better as a team.
On what he learned from last season’s strong individual start
I think last year I finished the weekend 7-for-12 (in the opening series). (I learned) Just not to get over confident and not to take anything for granted. Every series is new.
On the new bats this year
Were starting to get used to them (the new bats) and making the adjustments’ we need to make.
On the transition from CWS to this season
We tried to take the momentum from last year into this year. We tried to play with the confidence of the best team in the country.
Sophomore Pitcher Adam Westmoreland
On his return to pitching
I mean it’s been about 18 months and it feels awesome to go back out there and do it again. I felt like the crowd gave me a really warm welcome.
On his return after having surgery
I mean I feel like I’m in better shape. I know I didn’t get to the ground ball, the bunt. I slipped and almost fell. I feel like I’m in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in.
On the pitching clock
The only time it irritates me is the 90-second rule. I like to throw a little more than that when its cold outside.
Junior Right fielder Adam Matthews
On Adam Westmoreland’s return to the mound
Adam (Westmoreland) is an easygoing guy. He was ready to get back out there and get back on the mound. We got a quality outing out of him and hopefully he can continue and we can have a big year out of him.
On Adam’s improvement as a pitcher since his freshman year
I faced Adam (Westmoreland) through high school. Now I feel like he is an overall pitcher. He goes out there and he is real calm and he knows what he has got to do to get people out.
