Central Michigan University Athletics
Postgame Quotes
4/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Central Michigan vs. Michigan State
April 20, 2011 at Comerica Park
Postgame Quotes
Central Michigan Head Coach Steve Jaksa
Opening statement:
I think you saw a heck of a ballgame tonight between two really good teams. Both teams want to put themselves on that stage. We feel very strongly about baseball in the state of Michigan and in the Midwest. I think you saw some outstanding defensive plays and both kids pitched really well. We obviously wanted to win, but a couple plays they made made a difference, so you have to tip your cap to them. I think our guys have great resolve and we'll come back and continue to compete really well in the Mid-American Conference.
On the effect of two early errors:
You can always look at errors in a 3-1 game and say that cost you the game, but I don't criticize my guys if they're going all-out and playing as hard as they can. It's more mental errors that upset you, and we didn't make any mental errors tonight. I'm sure anyone that makes an error would like to have it back and do it over again, but you don't get them back. That guy has made so many great plays for us. I'll take my guys. I like my guys. I think my guys are in a good place. They learn by playing, and I think they played hard, so now we have to move forward.
Senior Pitcher Bryce Morrow
On playing at Comerica Park:
It was a great opportunity to come here and do what every other team does that comes to Comerica. But like coach said, it was another game and we wanted to win. It was frustrating not to get the win, but it was a lot of fun to come here and play where the Tigers play.
On how his outing will help his confidence:
It's always good to go out there and have a good outing. I wouldn't say I've lost any confidence over the season, but tonight is something good to build on. It's good for our guys to go out and play a solid game too. I thought we hit the ball pretty well today, just nothing fell in. Their guy threw pretty well too.
Michigan State Head Coach Jake Boss
Opening statement:
I think this was a real thrill for all of us. I certainly don't want to speak on anyone else's behalf, but I'm certain Central Michigan will feel the same way. It was just an outstanding night. From the time we got here, the people with the Tigers' organization were extremely gracious and courteous, and the night was just a lot of fun for everybody. It's something you don't get to experience a whole lot. Regardless of the outcome of the game, it was just a great experience. I thought our guys played well. I was proud of the way we pitched it, I was proud of the defense we played, and we were able to put together a few there in the first and it held up.
On the pitching performance of Andrew Waszak:
He threw well. Strikes were the key, and I thought he located well. They hit a lot of balls that just seemed to be right at guys. If you throw strikes early in the count, you're going to have some success.
On the exposure the MSU program has received:
Our guys have played well, and I think, quite honestly without sounding arrogant, they've been deserving of the exposure. Any exposure we can get in the North, whether it's our program, Central Michigan, or whoever, it's good for college baseball. To get the opportunity to play down here on the big stage like this is a positive for college baseball.
On the crowd at Comerica Park:
On a cold night, I think it was outstanding. It certainly wasn't the most desirable of weather conditions. I think it was promoted extremely well. Central Michigan deserves the credit in that. It was really their concept—Dave Heeke, Steve Jaksa and Greg Kigar were the masterminds behind the whole thing. They deserve a lot of credit. We're very fortunate to be a part of it, and those guys did a tremendous job of putting it together.
Senior First Baseman Jeff Holm
On playing at Comerica Park:
It was surreal. You don't realize how big it is on the inside. They really took care of us like we were their own. I thank them for the opportunity and the hospitality. The field and playing conditions were perfect. It was the chance of a lifetime, and we made the most of it.
Sophomore Pitcher Andrew Waszak
On his pitching performance:
It was based off command of the fastball. Keeping the fastball down in the zone, getting ahead in the count and being able to work the secondary pitches from there. Like coach said, my defense behind me was outstanding tonight.
April 20, 2011 at Comerica Park
Postgame Quotes
Central Michigan Head Coach Steve Jaksa
Opening statement:
I think you saw a heck of a ballgame tonight between two really good teams. Both teams want to put themselves on that stage. We feel very strongly about baseball in the state of Michigan and in the Midwest. I think you saw some outstanding defensive plays and both kids pitched really well. We obviously wanted to win, but a couple plays they made made a difference, so you have to tip your cap to them. I think our guys have great resolve and we'll come back and continue to compete really well in the Mid-American Conference.
On the effect of two early errors:
You can always look at errors in a 3-1 game and say that cost you the game, but I don't criticize my guys if they're going all-out and playing as hard as they can. It's more mental errors that upset you, and we didn't make any mental errors tonight. I'm sure anyone that makes an error would like to have it back and do it over again, but you don't get them back. That guy has made so many great plays for us. I'll take my guys. I like my guys. I think my guys are in a good place. They learn by playing, and I think they played hard, so now we have to move forward.
Senior Pitcher Bryce Morrow
On playing at Comerica Park:
It was a great opportunity to come here and do what every other team does that comes to Comerica. But like coach said, it was another game and we wanted to win. It was frustrating not to get the win, but it was a lot of fun to come here and play where the Tigers play.
On how his outing will help his confidence:
It's always good to go out there and have a good outing. I wouldn't say I've lost any confidence over the season, but tonight is something good to build on. It's good for our guys to go out and play a solid game too. I thought we hit the ball pretty well today, just nothing fell in. Their guy threw pretty well too.
Michigan State Head Coach Jake Boss
Opening statement:
I think this was a real thrill for all of us. I certainly don't want to speak on anyone else's behalf, but I'm certain Central Michigan will feel the same way. It was just an outstanding night. From the time we got here, the people with the Tigers' organization were extremely gracious and courteous, and the night was just a lot of fun for everybody. It's something you don't get to experience a whole lot. Regardless of the outcome of the game, it was just a great experience. I thought our guys played well. I was proud of the way we pitched it, I was proud of the defense we played, and we were able to put together a few there in the first and it held up.
On the pitching performance of Andrew Waszak:
He threw well. Strikes were the key, and I thought he located well. They hit a lot of balls that just seemed to be right at guys. If you throw strikes early in the count, you're going to have some success.
On the exposure the MSU program has received:
Our guys have played well, and I think, quite honestly without sounding arrogant, they've been deserving of the exposure. Any exposure we can get in the North, whether it's our program, Central Michigan, or whoever, it's good for college baseball. To get the opportunity to play down here on the big stage like this is a positive for college baseball.
On the crowd at Comerica Park:
On a cold night, I think it was outstanding. It certainly wasn't the most desirable of weather conditions. I think it was promoted extremely well. Central Michigan deserves the credit in that. It was really their concept—Dave Heeke, Steve Jaksa and Greg Kigar were the masterminds behind the whole thing. They deserve a lot of credit. We're very fortunate to be a part of it, and those guys did a tremendous job of putting it together.
Senior First Baseman Jeff Holm
On playing at Comerica Park:
It was surreal. You don't realize how big it is on the inside. They really took care of us like we were their own. I thank them for the opportunity and the hospitality. The field and playing conditions were perfect. It was the chance of a lifetime, and we made the most of it.
Sophomore Pitcher Andrew Waszak
On his pitching performance:
It was based off command of the fastball. Keeping the fastball down in the zone, getting ahead in the count and being able to work the secondary pitches from there. Like coach said, my defense behind me was outstanding tonight.
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