March 23, 2011
South Carolina Head Coach Ray Tanner
Opening Statement
I was extremely happy with what we have been able to do offensively early in the game the last 4, 5, 6 games. We have had some quality at-bats whether guys got hits, walks, or went deep in the count, that is the kind of thing we were looking for early on in the season but we weren’t really getting that. But, we have had better at-bats and gotten better positions to win games. I was happy certainly with [Jose Mata]. He came in tonight and we used him like we did last year to keep things in check for a while and he pitched well for us in relief. He didn’t field his position very well but he pitched pretty good and we continued to score some runs. But it was important for us to win this week. You want to win all the time but after winning the home series against Georgia and then winning two mid week games against people that have a chance to be in the post season, we needed to win at home.
On runs being a confidence booster…
I think it helps a little bit. I don’t think it feels like it’s a situation where we are going to score double digits all the time. But it helps a little bit. This is college athletics. There is a lot to do with momentum and how you feel. It helps some and we are getting ready to face a rotation unlike any other. So it’ll be a lot different.
On some players’ shaved heads…
That was just one of those things that is a feel good, class act by those players. They did that on their own. They weren’t pushed to do it – they did it on their own. Nobody put any pressure on them to go do that. They understand the cause and they stepped up and did that. That’s what a lot of these guys are all about. I’m proud of them for doing that; that was a nice thing. And as I told them, a lot of them improved their looks.
On this weekend’s series at Florida…
I’ve looked at Florida rather closely from the beginning. They have weapon offensively, defensively, pitching, bull pin; two or three guys that are legitimate closers. They can do whatever they need to do to win a game. They have people to plug in – very talented players. [Head Coach] Ed Sullivan deserves a tremendous amount of credit for putting together the team that he’s got. They are number one in the country, and should be.
Evan Marzilli, Outfielder
On playing his home state…
It’s great to play some kids I played high school ball with. It was a lot of fun and it meant a lot. It was a big game for me. It was nice.
Jose Mata, Pitcher
On his mindset coming in the second inning…
When I came in the bases were loaded, no outs, so I just wanted to stop the damage that first inning I came out there. I pounded the zone. I didn’t know how long I would be out there, obviously. I just tried to stay ahead as much as possible and eat as many innings.
Jackie Bradley, Jr., Outfielder
On his runs the last few games being a confidence booster…
It’s really big. The last two games the bats have really come alive. I think this is something the offense needed as a confidence booster. This is very big for us especially going into this weekend. I think we are going to come out ready to play.
Robert Beary, Catcher
On his runs the last few games being a confidence booster…
Hitting is all about confidence. If you don’t have it, you may not hit well. It shows the last two games that our guys are starting to come through. It’s positive and we are going to go in with a little more confidence than Florida. There will be two teams going at it and it’s the one that makes the least amount of mistakes and keeps fighting for nine innings.
