NCSU-CU quotes

Coach Ed Servais:
Opening statement
"Often times late in the tournament you get tired arms.  We got off to a slow start.  I was a little worried because our body language wasn't very good and I thought there was a little carryover from last night, but I reminded our players that this is a regional game and we've got to compete better and harder."<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

On Bird's relief appearance
"I can't say enough about Brandon Bird and what he's done.  He's got a pretty sore arm right now."

On battling back after NCSU continued getting runs

"It was another gutsy performance by our kids.  We've been here before, this is not the first time we've done this.  I'm really proud about of what our guys have done and we're looking forward to a major challenge tonight."

 

Tony Daniel:
On continuing to apply pressure
"We weren't going out without a fight.  Especially the seniors because we didn’t want it to be our last game.  We responded well and I think we're just playing tough baseball right now."

 

Chris Gradoville:
On the team responding to NCSU's offense
"I got in there and was looking for the fast ball because that's my pitch and (the pitcher) got one in there and that took care of it.  Then Tony was on deck and took care of it.  All of our hitters responded really well."

 

NC State Head Coach Elliot Avent
Opening Statement
"First of all, I would like to thank the city of Lincoln for putting on an excellent regional. This was as tough a regional field as I have ever seen with the one, two, three and four seeds. It is just four great teams that have a lot in common. They play with a lot of heart, they are opportunistic and they never quit. I thought that we played very well today. We really came ready to play, played extremely well. We thought we had things set up pretty well for ourselves. We got to their bullpen early and had ample opportunities that we probably didn't take advantage of. It came down to them coming back and scrapping and fighting. We had all of the guys we wanted in there but at the end, we just couldn't get ahead and make some pitches. But the players really came ready to play and had a great season. I am very proud of our kids."

On NC State Closer Joey Devine
"He is fabulous. Also give their guy credit. (Brandon) Bird came in there and threw strikes at a time when a walk could be very crucial. But Joey is definitely one of the top two or three guys in the country. I just wish that we could have gone to him earlier. We had to extend him yesterday and he has such a bright future ahead of him that you really cannot compensate the rest of the ballclub for a man that has given us so much. I just thought more about his career than what we had to have at that point."

Catcher Jake Muyco
On the offense
"Offensively, I thought we swung the bats pretty well the last two days. I thought we were starting to get on a roll but just some things didn’t work out."

On the frustration of Creighton comebacks
"That is just kind of the dogfight in the game, battling it out. That is just baseball. You just have to keep fighting."

Closer Joey Devine
On his career and the upcoming draft
"It has been three great years here at NC State and I wouldn’t trade anything for those three years. I have learned a lot from my coaches and from being around these players. It has been fabulous. As far as the draft, it is coming right up but I am going to spend the next few days with my teammates because it they have been like a family. It has been a great year. We all came together and like I told them after today's game, I am very proud of each and every one of them."