May 23, 2002

2002 ACC Baseball Tournament
Thursday, May 23, 2002-NC State vs. Virginia

NC State head coach Elliott Avent:
"Last night it was not disappointment that I had in my team, because they fought. They really tried hard, but we made more mistakes through the course of the ball game than I have ever seen in my life. Today, the game came down to one thing, heart and character and not wanting to go home. I am really proud they battled with a lot of heart and character today, and we live to see another day."

(On the squeeze bunt) "Yes, it really did. I think the squeeze is a great play, they handle the bat well, we just played them three times at our place and everyone on the team has the ability to bunt. I think Dan Street is one of the hardest hitters in the ACC right now and probably one of the better hitters in the ACC, but in a situation like that it is a great tribute to Ryan Combs because is comes down to heart and character and how bad you want to make a play and he wanted to make that play awfully bad."

Virginia head coach Dennis Womack:
"It was a really an outstanding college baseball game. There were not a lot of errors made on a day when it is elimination time, which is not always the easiest day to play. I thought both teams were also very motivated, played hard all day both sides. As always, a game of inches and you have to give it to North Carolina State, their pitcher probably made the defensive play of the day, great bunt, great everything, great play by their pitcher. Of course, Brian Wright pretty well knows what to do when you throw him a hanging breaking pitch, and we did and have to give him credit for hitting that baseball out. Give credit to our kids for playing hard all day, Dan hit a triple and a homerun, he has been a major factor for four years for us and it's going to be hard to replace him."

(On the bunt) "I think we executed very, very well. He made an all out ... percentage wise, how many times is he going to make that play. I think it was the right play, the right call, the right everything. Great bunt, great play, you have to take your hat off to Ryan Combs. That is a do or die, game over situation. I really thought that was the right play."