May 9, 2010

Recap |

Kansas Postgame Quotes

Kansas 10, Missouri 9

May 9, 2010 – Lawrence, Kan.

Junior Right Fielder Casey Lytle

On his game-winning hit:

“It ranks number one (in my career), going against our rivals and sweeping them. They had a two-run lead going into the inning and we fought back to the win right there. Coach (John) Szefc came up to me and told me to go the other way with (Missouri pitcher Phil McCormick). Actually, yesterday I went the other way with one of his pitches, so I just tried to use the same approach. I got a good pitch through the middle and I put it right through the gap.”

On what it shows as a team:

“It shows that we have a lot of fight because we were down and out (after last weekend). Now, we’re back to .500 in the Big 12 and it puts us right back in it. It shows that we have big heart.”

In whether he knew the hit would win the game:

“Actually, when it came off the bat I thought it was just going to tie the game. Then I saw that it bounced past (the outfielders) in the right center gap. I know Jimmy (Waters) has a good amount of speed and would end up scoring from first base.”

Kansas head coach Ritch Price

On Lytle’s approach to the plate for the game-winner:

“We talked about that last night when he was in. Because of his submarine-style delivery, as a right-handed hitter the only to hit him is to take him to right center field over the second baseman’s head. He let the ball travel, stayed in the gap and landed it in the perfect spot.”

On choosing not to have Lytle steal in the eighth:

“The inning before when Lytle was on first, I didn’t run him for fear he would get thrown out. Then I would’ve had the No. 7, 8 and 9 hitters due up the next inning. I knew we needed to get to the No. 2, 3 and 4 guys in our lineup to have a chance to come from behind.”

On where the win ranks for him:

“That’s one of the special ones we’ve had at KU. That’s one of those things that when it’s over, you can’t believe what you just saw. It was a great win for us. This is one of the great college rivalries in the country.”