June 2, 2002
Houston Coach Rayner Noble:
"I think we swung the bats really
well. We hit in the teens and drove in the runs when we needed to drive
them in. That really helped our pitching staff. I felt that we were going
on fumes. If we had to play another game, it would have been a high scoring
one. The key to this weekend was the offensive output. We took advantage of
the little things that they gave us. ."
ON RYAN WAGNER'S PERFORMANCE:
"It was huge for Ryan Wagner to step up and do what he did today. He was
lousy yesterday, compared to how he can really throw. I think you saw the
real Ryan Wagner today."
ON KEITH WHATLEY'S REGIONAL PERFORMANCE:
"When you talk about what made us go this weekend, you look at Keith
Whatley. When you have a two-hole hitter doing what he did. That's the key
to your offensive output."
ON PLAYING TEXAS:
"It's not going to be an easy task when you've got to go to Austin and play
the Horns there. They're extremely tough and they have an outstanding team.
But, we're going to go in there and give it our best shot. That's all you
can really ask of a ballclub, to go in there and play their hearts out.
That's what we're going to get in Austin."
Houston Catcher Chris Snyder:
"It felt good. Like we've always stressed, it doesn't matter how you start,
it matters how you finished. It was an outstanding regional for everybody."
Houston Pitcher Ryan Wagner:
ON PITCHING TO THE DEVILS:
"Throwing strike one, they were pretty much taking it until they got a
strike. So, I just threw it right down the middle of the plate and went
from there. "
Houston Notes:
Nathan Mitchell made his 84th career appearance,
setting a new Houston school record...Houston advances to the Super Regional
round for the second time in three seasons...Reliever Jesse Crain extended
his scoreless innings streak to 33.
Arizona State Head Coach Pat Murphy:
"I feel like we saved our worst baseball for the last day. I think our
immaturity really showed. I would have bet you anything we wouldn't have
played like that today."
"I think we were a little emotional and tried a little too hard which young people tend to do. They didn't quit, the will was there, but to be the champion that's not enough."
ON ROBBIE MCCELLAN:
A pitcher's first inning is usually the most fragile time for a pitcher. I
think if he got out of the first inning a little better I think things have
a tendency to roll a little bit. But I would have liked to have gotten a
little better outing."
ON HOUSTON:
They are a very confident team. They believe in their pitching staff and
they came together and played a great schedule and beat all of the top
teams in the country. I like the way they competed this weekend."
Arizona State Outfielder Rod Allen:
"Their team came out confident and came out swinging the bats. Things kind
of went their way . They are a great team, their bullpen was very strong
and they came in and threw strikes. They did a great job."