May 11, 2014
Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery 
Head Coach Chad Holbrook
Opening Statement…
We were very fortunate to get the win. It took great outings from Wil [Crowe] and Cody [Mincey] to keep them [Missouri] at bay, since we had our hands full with Keaton Steele [the Missouri pitcher]. We came into the game with the mind set that we were going to try and score three runs because he [Steele] was not going to give us much and he certainly didn’t. He is as good as there is in this league from a pitching stand point. That is about as well pitched of a game as we have had all year long. That kid will pitch for a long time. It was really neat to see Max [Schrock] step up there in the ninth and place the ball in the gap. He kept his head up running around the bases and he was not satisfied with the double. He saw the [Missouri center fielder] dive for [the ball] and push the ball away from himself which enabled Max to get to third. That changed the outlook of the whole inning with him getting a triple instead of a double. It was still going to be extremely hard to score with the lead off double so it made it a lot easier with the lead off triple. Kudos to Max; it was a great baseball play at a time when we really needed it. Joey was able to stay up there on the slider and got a game winner for us. Obviously it was a big win for us, with all the implications out there in league play, so I am proud of our team. We played clean baseball for the most part all weekend long. We were not that terrific offensively but at the same time you have to tip your hat to Missouri because they have a good pitching staff. We did enough to win and now we have a big week ahead of us.
On the week ahead
First of all, we have The Citadel in here on Tuesday night and if we can beat them we will have our 40th win. If you find a way to get to 40 before your regular season is over, you have had a great regular season. That will be the goal and the focus for the next two days. As far as the weekend is concerned, obviously it is going to have its implications and they are big implications, but the season doesn’t end no matter what happens. If we play well at Vanderbilt or if they play well, the season doesn’t end on Saturday in Nashville. I understand this is the last regular season series against a team that is really good, has played as well as anybody, and probably is the best in the country. They have more 95 mph arms than any big league team and that is not a stretch. What they have on the pitching side of things; I don’t know if I have seen that in my time in college baseball. We will have our hands full, but first things first; we have our game against the Citadel. They played well against us last time and it is a big game because we are trying to win number 40.
Junior Infielder Joey Pankake
On his at-bat in which he hit the walk-off single
They brought in an extra infielder and then they only had two outfielders, so I was trying to get something to the outfield. The pitcher had been throwing a lot of off-speed, so I was looking for it. The coaches told me to be ready for it and I got one to hit and I put a good swing on it.
On being able to get the sweep this weekend
It was really big for us. Especially beating a pitcher as good as who they threw today. He [Keaton Steele] was really good, he kept us off balance, and he got a lot of outs. He located a lot of his pitches and he didn’t leave much up.
Sophomore Infielder Max Schrock
On his approach at the plate during his at-bat in the ninth inning
I went in there and had the approach of not trying to hit a home run. Of course, the pitch before I hit that one [the triple], I swung at one in the dirt. I was just a little too anxious. I stepped out of the box and told myself that I can’t be too anxious here. You have to see the ball deep and not try to hit a home run. I needed to just get on base for the team. It was just my approach and try to stay up the middle. I saw a ball up and I put a good swing on it.
On getting the hit and being to score the winning run
It’s awesome. I showed a little emotion there on third base, but I had all kinda of adrenaline running through me. I knew that it was a big swing of the bat for the team and I just wanted to get home after that.
Freshmen Right-handed Pitcher Wil Crowe
On his performance today
I was just trying to battle and stay on a more downward plan. I tried to throw all my pitches low and get more outs.
