Postgame Quotes - vs. Nebraska
April 9, 2011
Recap |
Kansas Postgame Quotes
Kansas 2, Nebraska 4
April 8, 2011
Hoglund Ballpark—Lawrence, Kan.
Kansas head coach Ritch Price
On the difference between today’s loss and Friday’s victory:
“Yesterday we made a couple mistakes defensively and we were able to get out of the inning without giving up any runs. Today we made a crucial error and they came back and hurt us and put a crooked number on the board. Really, that was the ballgame.”
On the pitching of sophomore Tanner Poppe:
“I was pleased. He was locating his fastball early. They were up there taking strikes trying to run his pitch count up. He established that he was going to get ahead in the count early. A year ago he was behind almost every single hitter when he picked up the victory at Nebraska. I thought he did a really nice job of locating his fastball and was able to mix and show his breaking ball just enough to keep them off balance. I couldn’t be more pleased with his effort. We made two bad defensive plays and he still found a way to fight through it.”
On pitcher Tanner Poppe fighting off an error in the fifth inning:
“He could have given up four runs that inning with the way that the table was set with an error behind him. I was proud of the freshman second baseman (Kaiana Eldredge). He makes a diving play and turns it into a double play after he booted the leadoff ground ball. One of the things you preach to players is if you make a mistake learn how to redeem yourself and make a big play later. I thought that was really a special play. Unfortunately, we gave up the two out base hit down the line and they got a second run. Still with the bases loaded with nobody out I was pleased with the way Tanner grinded out the inning.”
Kansas junior Zac Elgie
On Kansas’ rivalry with Nebraska:
“It’s one of those things where both of our teams are really competitive and we want to come out and get the best of each other. Sometimes things can kind of get heated a little bit. We have to settle down and control the emotions a little bit. Coach Price made us focus and play against the baseball and not the other team. Both of our teams are fighting for our seasons right now and that has a lot to do with intensity as well.”
On using today’s loss as motivation for tomorrow’s series finale:
“It’s just going to be us needing to come out and play in general. We are fighting for our season and so are they. Coach Price said we have to win as many series as we can and we are in position to do that tomorrow. If we can take one from them it will be extra special.”
On the team’s need to become more consistent at the plate:
“I got myself out a couple times. I swung at some pitches out of the zone. I did try to focus on seeing the ball up and putting a good swing on it. I happened to do that when two guys were on base. I’ll take the RBIs, but us as a team, we have to stay a little more consistent and not swing so much at balls in the dirt. We need to see balls up and that will give us a better chance.”
