March 11, 2011
South Carolina Head Coach Ray Tanner
Opening Statement
We knew that (CSU) Bakersfield was going to be very good based on what they’ve done to this point in the season. We had a couple days to talk about it and get ready for it since we were rained out on Wednesday. They were very impressive to me. (Mike) McCarthy, their pitcher tonight was very good. It was difficult to get runs. That goodness Jackie Bradley Jr. had a great game for us offensively and defensively Michael Roth pitched great. Nine strikeouts, over 100 pitches over 8 innings. We had to have that kind of effort to beat this Bakersfield team.
On Roth’s performance…
He’s been outstanding. He’s done everything he can do as a starter. The one good this is his fastball is better at this point than I’ve expected it to be. He can get in the upper 80s pretty consistently now. His change-up is good. He’s difficult to get to, and he’ll field his position. He’s doing a nice job for us and he’s giving us a chance to win.
On how the team responded after the emotional Clemson series…
They did a nice job. You get into a situation were you come off a very emotional series and you’re playing a very good team who has a lot to prove. This Bakersfield club has to prove it the entire season. Every weekend they’re fighting for respect to get a NCAA tournament bid at the end of the year. When you do come off the emotion that we came off of it’s not an easy thing. It was a lot cooler; it was set up to be a difficult night and then you’ve got McCarthy out there who’s good. It wasn’t easy, but our guys were focused and prepared. We didn’t get as many his as they did. But Roth gave us a nice opportunity to win and of course, Jackie did it with his bat and his glove. That was a very special performance.
Michael Roth, Pitcher
Was that the best you’ve pitched in a Gamecock uniform?
I don’t know if that’s the best. I had a lot of stuff working today. The change up was pretty good and I was hitting some spots. They were just rolling over some balls. The defense played great too. They had a mishap in the first inning, but after that they were solid all the way through. Scott Wingo made a great play on the ball that hopped up in his face. I was just going out there to try to give the team a chance to win. I was lucky enough to have some great defense and timely hitting to keep us in that game.
Jackie Bradley Jr., Center Fielder
Describe the catch in the 7th inning?
I was actually playing right-center a little bit. They were staying back on the ball pretty well and hitting the ball to the opposite field. He got a tad bit loft under it and I was able to track it down. It was one of those balls where you just turn around and run to the spot. That’s what I was able to do. I caught it right before I hit the fence. It was so simultaneous that I didn’t have time to react. I knew where I was on the track, and I was able to make a play.
