Game 2: Clemson vs. Sacred Heart – Postgame Quotes

June 3, 2011

CLEMSON QUOTES

Head Coach Jack Leggett “I thought we played a nice game. Scott Firth threw strikes, and we played good defense behind him. (Kevin) Pohle came in and did a good job for us as did (John) Surber. Our pitching was good, we had a good defensive night, and good offensive night, especially early in the ballgame. We ran the bases well and put some good swings on the ball. Their guy came in and did a good job but we had done the damage we needed to. Now we have to go get our rest and get ready to go tomorrow.”

On getting off to a good start on offense: “We got our leadoff man on base. Chris got a two-out RBI. Jeff Schaus got a big hit and Will Lamb was aggressive on the bases. I thought we played well on the bases today. We put together some good swings, especially early. They got behind in the count a little bit and when we got our pitches we did a good job. I still think we have some more in the tank, though. I think we can still play better.

On facing a familiar Coastal Carolina team tomorrow: “We will pitch Dominic Leone tomorrow. He will have to go and compete against a good Coastal Carolina team that played very well today. We got to see them today, and we know they are a good team. They are very well-coached and always play us tough.”

On Clemson starting pitcher Scott Firth: “Scotty has pitched on the weekend before, and we knew he would be ready. He did a good job tonight of throwing strikes and letting our defense work behind him.”

Third-Baseman John HinsonOn the quick start by Clemson on offense: “It is always good to get off to a good start. It helps out our pitcher and helps everyone to relax early on and just go out and play. We have a lot of confidence in Scotty (Firth), and he did a very good job tonight.”

On last year’s NCAA Tournament performance carrying over to this year: “Last year is last year. We are taking it one day at a time, one game at a time.”

On almost hitting for the cycle: “It is not about hitting for the cycle. It is about going out and winning and getting back to Omaha.”

Starting Pitcher Scott Firth “I was excited when Coach Leggett and Coach Pepicelli told me I was starting. I knew I had to go out there and throw strikes and set the tempo for the game for the team.”

SACRED HEART QUOTES

Head Coach Nick Giaquinto “It did not turn out like we planned. We prepared. I give these guys a ton of credit the way they have worked for the whole year. They worked their butts off for the last couple of weeks. We expected to come out here and really compete. It just didn’t work out the way we had planned, the way we had visualized.”

“I told them (the team) we still had work to do. We are still in this tournament and will face a good UCONN team tomorrow. As much as it hurts, as tough a loss as it is to take, we have to be ready to play ball tomorrow. We are a much better team than we showed today and I am sure these guys will come out ready to play tomorrow.”

On Clemson: “We knew they were good, one of the best teams in the country. We expected them to be the quality team that they are. We just expected ourselves to play a little better. They put some good at bats together and had timely hitting when we did give them opportunities.

“They did not even get a chance to show most of their running game. I think Coach (Leggett) shut it down after it was 11-0. It is a quality team and they deserve that first ranking. Hopefully we will get to see them in a couple of days”

Right Fielder Dave BoistureOn home run saving catch in right field: “That is a catch you dream of making. I timed it up right and brought it back and felt like a young Ken Griffey, Jr. “

Center Fielder Steve TedescoOn Clemson starting pitcher Scott Firth: “He had some good stuff. He was pounding the zone with his fastball moving it in and out. He stuff was pretty good. He was effective against us tonight. We did not put enough quality at bats together that we had hoped for.”

Relief Pitcher Matt Fitton “It helped that they had or nine lefties in the line-up. I stuck with my slider and drop down fastball. I kept the drop down fast ball down and jammed a lot of hitters.