Feb. 18, 2012
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Head Coach Ray Tanner Quotes
Opening Statement
I am very happy that we were able to win these three games against VMI. As you know, two of them certainly could have gone a different way for us. We were able to hang in there and win a couple of close ones. I was very impressed with VMI and Coach Ikenberry and his staff. (I was impressed with) the plays that his guys were able to make to give them a chance to win. We did some better things today offensively. I like our pitching staff a little bit. I think we have a chance as we move forward to do a good job on the mound. We still have a lot of questions, but we will get back out there next weekend.
On the performance of Matt Price…
He was pretty good. The ball was coming out of his hand pretty good. He hit a couple of guys, but his stuff was good. He overpowered a few of their hitters, and then all of the sudden he lost control or hit a wall or whatever the case may be. But, you have to be a little bit concerned. I have been around Matt Price for awhile and he normally gets things straightened out when he is struggling a little bit, so hopefully he will be okay next weekend.
On Tanner English’s assist from the outfield…
It was a big play. There is no question about it. He can play defense, he can run, but he can throw with the best of them. We have had a few guys come through this program. You go back to Marcus McBeth, Jackie Bradley Jr., and now Tanner English and they can make a play. It is hard to get assists from the outfield. There aren’t very many assists in all of baseball from the outfield, but he came up with a big one today that gave us a chance to win.
On the offensive progression over the weekend…
I think that the first couple of games, we weren’t getting into our counts good enough. We weren’t aggressive enough early enough. As you know, you don’t hit as well with one strike and you hit even worse with two strikes. The numbers go against you when you go into an at bat in most cases, so maybe our guys were a little bit cautious, but you also have to give VMI some credit. If you go back to the first game with Cowgill and how good he was. Today, Henkel, the lefty was a little bit tough to pick up early, so it was a combination of things. On our side, we get a little disappointed with the hitters, but maybe we don’t give the other guy enough credit sometimes. I thought those guys were pretty good. We have to do a better job offensively. If you look at the hits for the weekend, it is probably pretty good for three games, but I think we have to become a better offensive team than we were this weekend.
On the importance of newcomers performing…
Well we need for those guys to come in and play well immediately. Guys that are filling in the departure shoes of some of our (old) guys. It is important for us to have a guy like LB (Dantzler). So far, so good with him. Joey Pankake did okay this weekend. He didn’t do bad. Second base is still kind of up in the air with me. A couple of weeks ago I thought we may go one direction or another, but after this weekend, I am not sure what we are going to do at second base. I think that Connor Bright started the season as a swing guy or utility guy, someone who could play at all three positions. Chase Vergason was pretty solid. TJ (Costen) has some ability. He wasn’t as efficient as we need him to be. After the three games I am in the same place. I don’t know who the right guy is for that spot, but we have to get a good week of practice in and see who gets a chance to play next weekend.
South Carolina Player Quotes
First Baseman, Christian Walker
On hitting with LB Dantzler behind him…
I feel like our lineup is as strong as it’s been. LB and I always joke about being one of the most feared 3-4 combo hitters in the country. Hopefully it is foreshadowing for the rest of the season.
Catcher, Grayson Greiner
On the weekend as a whole…
We got three wins, and the most important thing is winning. I felt pretty comfortable out there for the most part, being the first time playing on that field. I was just glad to get out there and play in front of all of these great fans, and it was fun.
Pitcher, Matt Price
On his day overall…
I felt good. I got a little tired at the end. I was excited and ready to get back out on the mound, whether I was a starter or coming out of the bullpen. So, it was just good to get back out there.
Pitcher, Ethan Carter
On coming in with the bases loaded…
I was just trying to throw strikes and get a ground ball more than anything. I was trying to get two outs so that we could get out of the jam pretty quick. I just wanted to go in there and pound the strike zone.
Third baseman, LB Dantzler
On his transition to third base in college…
In high school I played outfield, and it has just been a lot of repetition. It wasn’t easy at first. That is the big thing here, during batting practice I get a lot of ground balls and that has helped a lot. You get a lot of work here.
Second baseman, Connor Bright
On the offensive success in the third game…
It was great. Coach took us aside and talked to all of us about our approaches and that we needed to be more aggressive and score more runs. I think that is what we did the third game.
Pitcher, Colby Holmes
On his performance in the third game…
I came out here and did what I could do and these guys backed me up with a couple of runs and gave me a lot more confidence.
