Softball Regional Game 6 quotes

Iowa Head Coach Gayle Blevins<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

On <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Iowa’s lack of offense

“We had a hard time hitting [Ashley] Boek.  We had a lot of difficulty making adjustments to her and that was the big difference in the game.  Lisa [Birocci] did a great job in the circle and our defense got us out of a lot of jams early in the game, but you have to have balance and put pressure on the other team.”

 

On Iowa playing in the final game despite a loss in the opening round

“I think it really spoke to the character of our team to see us rebound after Friday.  I’m really proud of our kids for that.  It’s hard to go on the road and this regional was tough for everyone, but we came back and did a great job.”

 

On Washington’s play

“Congratulations to Washington for the win.  They had a great tournament and a great game today and they deserve the success they had.”

 

Shortstop Stacy May

On Washington pitcher Ashley Boek

“She was tough.  When you’re not hitting well as a team, it doesn’t help to see good pitching and we saw good pitching all weekend.  Really, our pitching kept us in the game and out defense was solid, but Washington’s pitching didn’t help.”

 

Pitcher Lisa Birocci

On the lack of offense

“Our coaches just ask us to put the ball in the spots and let the defense and offense work behind us.  We were waiting for that to happen and it just never came.”

 

Washington’s Head Coach Heather Tarr

On the game

“We played a great game.  Ashley [Boek] threw a mental no hitter because their one hit was just a sort of slap that they managed to get on base with.  We really did whatever we needed to do to score and our defense picked up and played well behind that.”

 

On the offense

“Our offense has been there all season.  We have had our ups and downs with pitching and defense, but that has come around and this a great time to peak.”

 

On being a first-year coach at Washington

“I inherited a lot of heart and experience.  [Ashley] Boek has a lot of postseason experience in the circle and you just can’t recruit that.  And the majority of our offense was already there and I just came and brought a little of my style to it.  Being able to coach back at my alma mater is just perfect for me.  What else could you ask for?”

 

First baseman Sarah Hyatt

On leaving runners on base

“Just the fact that we consistently got runners on base told us that we’d get it eventually.  We just had to keep working and it came.”

 

On the possibility of playing Michigan in the next round

“I’d rather face Michigan than some other teams out there.  I like the fact that we haven’t seen them yet this year.  We have nothing to go off of and neither do they.  We know they’ve got some great hitters, but I think we’re a good match.”

 

Pitcher Ashley Boek

On playing in the Pac-10

“Playing in a conference like the Pac-10 really prepares you for the postseason because you’re facing some of the best hitters out there.  It’s definitely not a cake walk, so it prepares you for pressure situations later on in the season.”

 

On her play

“Thankfully my change-up showed up today and we were able to keep batters off balance.  That wasn’t always the base earlier in the tournament.”