May 10, 2014

Georgia Head Coach Lu Harris-Champer
I’m just very excited for the team. I thought they came out and played extremely well. They played our game, and I thought we had great leadership on the field all night long from each player in the dugout. I just can’t say enough about the quality of the tournament and how well it was run, just very professional. The stadium is beautiful here at South Carolina, and we’re thrilled to represent the SEC.

On first tournament title win
It feels fantastic. But even more so, I’m just happy for the girls and all the hard work they’ve put in and as they’ve stated earlier all those 6 a.m. workouts and how much those paid off and them getting to experience this championship.

On winning the SEC Softball Tournament
Chelsea (Wilkerson) said all week that we went here to get a championship, and she sure did deal out there on the mound. What a beautiful job.

Sophomore pitcher Chelsea Wilkerson
On tonight’s outing on the mound
My plan really was to just attack the zone and get ahead and that’s what I did today.

On pitching against Kentucky
Their lineup is solid all the way through. Like I said, I just wanted to attack the zone and deliver quality pitches for my team and let my defense work behind me.

Junior shortstop Paige Wilson
On mindset for offensive performance
My goal was just getting on base so the person behind me, Geri Ann (Glasco) can get me in, move me over, or get me to the next base. (I was) just passing back my at-bats and doing it for Georgia and doing it for Chelsea (Wilkerson).

Kentucky Head Coach Rachel Lawson
First I would like to congratulate the University of Georgia. I thought hey had a great series. Their players, throughout the entire line-up, showed what a strong team they are and why they deserved to have the championship. I also thought they were great on the mound and defensively, so I want to congratulate them on their preparation and everything they did to become conference champions. I would also like to thank South Carolina. It has been such a great venue; the stadium is gorgeous. Everyone from the grounds crew to the staff have been very organized and very hospitable, and they do everything the right way. I also want to thank the SEC and ESPN for hosting us; outside of the College World Series, I think this is the premier event in college softball.

On if they solidifed a regional host bid
Hosting is a big deal; we have a gorgeous stadium and we definitely want to always be a national seed. Last year, we were able to obtain that for the first time. Always my goal as a coach is to be better every year, so that was a big goal of ours going into the season. I feel like we have definitely done a lot to be a host team. It is not really in my hands any more, but I feel like our strong showing this weekend with our being able to beat LSU, Tennessee and Mississippi State definitely boosted our resume, so I feel great about that.

On her team’s play throughout tournament
I felt like my team grew up overnight. I felt like we were a lot tougher. When we stepped on the field on Wednesday, it felt like a different team. There was a grit and a confidence about us, and I knew they knew they belonged here, and that’s new from the past.

On not starting Nunley in the championship game
It was tempting. I really have a lot of confidence in all of my pitchers and our game plan. There is a comfort that I have with Nunley in that we believe that we think alike and I think I am able to give her a good game, one that she is comfortable throwing. I think she trusts the pitches that I call and I believe the give and take from the pitch caller to the pitcher is really something that has helped us, especially in this past week. It is really tempting to go with something that is comfortable but at the end of the day it is not about this team or what is best for Nunley, but for the long haul. It was too risky to put her out there. I wanted to, but at the end of the day all of our pitchers have gotten wins and they are the future of our program as well.

Junior catcher Griffin Joiner
On the difference in facing Wilkinson in the 7th
I think it was just the third time through. We were just finally able to make an adjustment. We just battled through our at-bats, and it worked out.

On Meagan Prince’s performance as the starting pitcher
I think she did well, especially as a freshman coming into that pressure situation in the SEC Championship Game. She did a nice job in competing.