March 4, 2008

Recap | Box Score

Baylor head coach Steve Smith:

On tonight's game:

"They got the timely hit in the ninth inning, and that's the name of the game. I don't think that either one of us played the game particularly well. I imagine that ball was fair by inches (Louisiana Tech's go-ahead double in the ninth inning), and that sometimes will be the difference in a game."

On Louisiana Tech's offense:

"They take some hacks, but they were not any different than what we expected. They'll be a good offensive club."

On Baylor scoring four runs in the first inning and two the rest of the game:

"They helped us. We got a couple of hits in the first inning, but we weren't driving the ball. I don't know if we even had an extra-base hit in this game (all eight hits were singles), but I give their guy credit. Their guy (Alan Knotts) kind of gathered himself and really pitched well. Then they gave us a left-handed look (Landon Braud) and he did a nice job, and then the closer (Aaron Lorio) has obviously got plenty of ammunition at the end."

On Craig Fritsch throwing four innings of shutout relief:

(Craig) Fritsch was every bit the equal of anybody that threw tonight, and we needed it. We weren't scoring and they weren't scoring."

Baylor junior SS Beamer Weems:

On losing after leading 4-1 heading to the second inning:

"We scored fast and we just didn't bury them. This team needs to learn how to bury some people."

On the offense managing just eight singles:

"We need to hit the ball on the ground, all of us need to hit more line drives and make the defense actually play."

On stealing home in the seventh inning to give Baylor a 5-4 lead:

"It was just a timing play and we timed it perfectly. We caught them off-guard and it worked. It was actually cool (to steal home), but it would've been a lot better if would've won."

Baylor senior RHP Nick Cassavechia:

On walking the leadoff batter in the ninth inning:

"That's what I've said all along. The biggest thing about being a closer is coming out and throwing strikes, and especially with a righty up there. Coming out and walking the first guy is how you dig yourself into holes."

On how he felt on the mound:

"I still don't feel like my slider is there yet, but that's no excuse. I have other pitches and I do other things besides throw a slider. It's not on, but it's a long season and I'll have plenty more chances to bounce back."

On Louisiana Tech's lineup:

"It was a really good lineup. They had a bunch of good hitters and they could hit a lot of pitches. I was struggling to figure out how to pitch the leadoff lefty (Adam Cobb) because he was hitting so many good pitches."