May 23, 2008
VIRGINIA HEAD COACH BRIAN O'CONNOR
Overall thoughts on the game...
`Obviously Wednesday night's game against Carolina was a big win for us, and I think our team all year long has been searching for a little identity. I really believe we haven't played our best baseball and maybe down here now we're starting to find ourselves a little bit. Obviously this is another huge win for us. Florida State is one of the top two teams in the country. They have a great offense, but I feel like we came out and pitched to them very effectively. I feel like Thompson did a nice job, gave us a good quality start and five innings. Packer (Matt) came in and did his job and Michael Schwimer did too. There were a lot of great plays to allow that to happen in order to beat Florida State you have to make clutches pitches and big time plays."
On a two run lead over FSU going into the 9th...
"Having a two-run lead against a team like Florida State is really, really big. You can manage differently and you can be a little more aggressive on the mound. When it's a one-run lead as we saw against North Carolina, one run is not enough in this league. There are so many great offensive ball clubs in this league you have to capitalize on every opportunity you get."
On his team's character in bouncing back...
"I'm not surprised. I think this team has a lot of character and it really matters to them. I think there have been times through out this year where we've been scuffle a little bit. It's tough we've had a lot of success in our program and the expectations are so high. But that's great, that's the way these guys want it."
VIRGINIA'S DAVID COLEMAN (FR- RF)
On his catch in right field...
"I was just trying to get to the ball and all of a sudden the wall came up, I didn't hear anything and all of a sudden my legs just got taken out from under me and I'm in the seats. It was early in the game and I thought we needed some outs to get some momentum going and I really didn't think about throwing. I just tried to get back in play."
VIRGINIA'S DAN GROVATT (FR- LF)
On the experience of previous one-run games against Florida State...
"We were right there with them for two games. Obviously, we lost two tough ones in the 10th. All year I feel like that's the way we've been. I feel like we've been right there with all these teams and we put it together and we've got that one hit we needed in that situation, which maybe would have propelled us in that 3-2 game. But I feel like all year we've been right there with them. We've had the opportunities and we're finally getting some things to go our way. We're clutching up offensively and making some pitches."
FLORIDA STATE HEAD COACH MIKE MARTIN
Opening Comments...
"It's just no question that the team that was in the other dugout deserved to win. They played solid baseball; got great pitching, made quality pitches when they needed to. Every time we would have a chance to do something, they, of course would do something quality, whether it was an outstanding pitch, or a key hit. Certainly, the catch in right field by Coleman was classic. I'd say it was reminiscent of Ron Swoboda. For some of you older guys, you know what I'm talking about. That was just a great catch. Dennis is seeing the ball really well, and hit the heck out of it, and Coleman made just a great catch; a tremendous play. And, of course, Schwimer came in and did a good job of closing it down."
"Very impressed with Virginia and the way they played. They deserved to win the ballgame."
On the call related to the ball caught by Coleman going into the stands...
"They got the call right. Once a guy goes into the stands, he's basically out of play and everybody moves up a base. They got the call right."
On playing additional games in the tournament...
"I really wish that it was a situation where it didn't bother me. If I'm going to play anybody in anything, I want to win. I'm disappointed, but I'm tipping my hat to a very good Virginia club that has come in here and won two games against two good teams. I'm happy for them and they deserved to win this baseball game. But I'm disappointed that we didn't win. So, yes, tomorrow is an important game, as the first game of the regional tournament will be an important game."
"You can't assume anything in this game. If we can beat North Carolina and Wake Forest can beat Virginia, then we will play on Sunday. We have to win tomorrow in order to have a chance to get to Sunday. So, yes, we will be playing our hearts out and trying to get the job done against a very good North Carolina team."
FLORIDA STATE'S DENNIS GUINN (Sr. - 1B)
On his last at bat and the ball caught in the outfield...
"A ball in the gap, you've got to bust it out of the box and try to get two, maybe more. All you can do is get up there and hit the ball hard. I tried to stay out of the way with that guy... he likes to work away, he likes to work soft and the guy just made a great play. You've got to tip your hat to him because you don't see that too often, that type of play right there."
FLORIDA STATE'S BUSTER POSEY (Jr. - C)
On his last at bat and expectations...
"Just to get a pitch to drive. Get something up that I can possibly lift a little bit. It was a pretty good pitch to hit, but it was also a good pitcher's pitch at the same time. Like Coach Martin said, they did a good job of playing the game all nine innings."
