June 5, 2011
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VIDEO: ASU press conference following Arkansas win that clinched Tempe Regional title
VIDEO: Arkansas press conference following Arizona State win that clinched Tempe Regional title
Game 6 Tempe Regional, Arkansas vs. Arizona State
Arkansas Razorbacks
Head Coach Dave Van Horn
Opening statement:
"First off, I'm really proud of our team hanging in there. It's been a long day. It's hot, and I thought we played extremely well the first ball game. The second game, we're one pitch away from getting out of the first and they hit one in those trees out there, and we're down 2-0. We kind of knew that we were going to struggle off that left-hander. He was really good against us last year. He held us down that first game, and really the only difference was it seemed like he threw his fastball a lot more tonight. I told the team I'm proud of them. If you would have told me all of these young guys were going to win forty games last fall, I probably would have chuckled a little back, turned my back and thought `well, we'll see.' Somehow we did it. Somehow we won forty ball games. We played a pretty good schedule and hung in there in our league. We were hoping we'd get a regional. We didn't get one, but we got to go to one. We gained a lot of experience. I have an army of freshmen coming back, and a lot coming in. I'm already looking forward to next year.
On what area they need to get better at:
"We have to get better offensively. We struggled. It was a battle for us. We took what everybody would give us, and that's why we stole so many bases. If you didn't pay attention, we'd steal. That's what helped us win a lot of games. If you did, we'd hit and run. We just have to get better offensively. It was a down year for us offensively. We kind of knew if was coming. We'll get there. We'll be fine. We just have to wait for this draft to get over, because we have a great class signed. I know we're going to lose four or five on the first day and early on the second day, but we just have to see where we're at."
#25 Collin Kuhn
On coming back after being drafted and the progression of the team:
"I think it was good to see a lot of the team and the players grow. I think that the team had pretty good leadership with James [McCann] and myself and DJ Baxendale, and a couple of other guys. It was good to see them progress through the year. I'm proud of them."
#27 James McCann
On the rough night for the pitching staff:
"When I think back about this year, I won't remember this game as far as our pitching staff is concerned. They carried us all year. Those young arms did a heck of a job. This game has no meaning to their season. I look for big things out of them. That pitching staff is going to carry them a long way. I'm proud of them for the way they battled all year."
Arizona State Sun Devils
Head Coach Tim Esmay
Opening statement:
"We're excited about the opportunity to move forward. I thought after Friday night's game against New Mexico, our kids really came and relaxed a little bit more. We played really good Sun Devil baseball. Today, especially, against a very good Arkansas team that we've seen more than we want to in the last couple of years. That's a good program, well-coached. This is not easy. We're enjoying it. We're proud of our program. But this process, this journey, is not an easy one. We are embracing it and we're looking forward to another opportunity to play again next week."
#40 Mitchell Lambson
On if it was difficult to change his mentality to that of a starter:
"The start last week definitely helped me get back in the starter mentality. You have to be more efficient and try and go deeper in the game than when you're closing. Either way, when I look at starting, and try and think it's just like relieving. Hopefully, you're throwing a few more innings than one or two."
On how he felt coming out of the visitor's bullpen:
"I've come out of there a few times, so it wasn't too bad. It doesn't play a big factor. But when the other team gets last at bats, especially a team like Arkansas, it's tough and we knew we were in for a battle."
#18 Joey DeMichele
On scoring early:
"I think scoring first is a huge part of the game. Playing from behind is really tough. You're expending all of your energy. Anytime you score first is great. Getting runs in the first and second inning is always good."