April 13, 2011
Recap |
Box Score
PENN STATE vs. KENT STATE POST-GAME QUOTES
Head Coach Robin Petrini
Q: Very nice bounce back. You got nine runs in the first game and then you grinded the next one out in an extra inning. Can you talk about how you won two different softball games?
A: Yep and we talked about that in the post game meeting. When you blow out a team one of the toughest things to do is to come back, refocus, and respect them enough to get back out and play them the second game. I talked to their coach about the pitcher after the second game. She said it was the best she played yet this year. Statistically, she did not look that good, but I thought she looked very good tonight. I thought our kids did a very nice job of putting the ball in play and making some things happen.
Q: You seemed a little bit more favored in the past few games using Jackie instead of Lisa. Is that what you've seen from the past few weeks?
A: No. I think that both of them need to carry their responsibility. Jackie had a history of owning Indiana. She owned Indiana last year and she game out and owned them in that first game. So there was no reason to go to Lisa in that second game. No, we expect Lisa to carry her weight as well.
Q: How big was the offense resurgence today after a quiet series?
A: I thought it was great hitting all around; Cassidy leading us off right away, giving us that spark plug. She's so great on the bases, too, that she makes things happen when's she's on the bases. I just thought that we hit the ball really well today and I was hoping that that was something we would do.
Q: Talk about how you will carry things over for tomorrow.
A: You know, we got to keep hitting the ball. I expect that Jackie will another good outing. Hopefully Lisa will have a better start in her game. Defense has been really solid, so when you get all three, you win for sure.
Kailyn Johnson, So. First Base
Q: Before you were up to bat was somebody saying KJ hit it over and then you hit it over the fee tonight?
A: I guess they were saying anybody hit the walk off home run and I was up next. It's pretty cool that it happened.
Q: Can you talk through that last at-bat there?
A: Before I was at bat, I thought that I was going to bunt because we usually bunt in that situation. I previous had failed at bunting. So I was freaking out that I had to get this bunt down. I actually didn't think about hitting until going up there. I think that actually helped me a lot. I didn't psych myself out.
Q: How exciting was the home run? It looked like you knew right after it hit the bat that it was gone.
A: It was great. I know everybody wanted to get off the field- it was a crappy day. It was just great to know that the game was over and that we won.
Q: When your in a clutch situation like that and you know that winning the game is on you. Do you think it's better to under think it?
A: Yes definitely. If I over think it, it turns out bad. You have to go in like it's every other time at bat.
Ashley Todd, Jr. Third Base
Q: Any reason in particular you think you got the start today? Have you been doing well at practice?
A: I think we come out every day trying to earn a spot. I don't think that there's anything or coach was just trying to mix it up. Not sure.
Q: Can you just talk about today. You got two wins. The first one, you really exploded on offense and the second you had to grind it out. So can you just talk about your two victories?
A: Two Victories was huge. Coach said after the game that we pounded the ball in the first game and to come back and be able to respect them and come back and win and beat them twice. That pitcher had a great performance in the second game. KJ being able to step up, there's no better way to win. I guess there's no better way to end the day then that.
Q: Was it difficult to play in the fog, especially the first game with all the humidity outside?
A: We are used to the weather conditions. Both teams are dealing with it. So you just have to make the best of it and know that the ball is going to go a little faster. You just have to deal with it.
Q: Are you happy with your performance today? You got one hit in the first game. How do you feel about your performance today?
A: I was excited! That was my first hit. I had a few plays on defense as well, so it was nice to help out defensively. It was nice to be able to get the start.
Q: How will you prepare for Buffalo tomorrow?
A: We're going to come out ready to play tomorrow. We have two more games. We definitely want to take two more and go in this weekend against Minnesota with some good momentum. We definitely want to come out hitting the ball hard- like KJ did- and get after it again tomorrow for sure.
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