May 30, 2008

FULLERTON, CA - Quotes from coaches and players following UCLA's 3-2 victory over Virginia on Friday night at the NCAA Baseball Regionals at Goodwin Field.

VIRGINIA HEAD COACH BRIAN O'CONNOR
"In my coaching career, I don't know if I've ever lost a game like that.. where the sun affects a player's ability to catch the ball."

"I feel for our players... I don't know that either one could have done anything about it."

(on hidden ball):
"Tyler made a mistake. He shouldn't have wandered off the base until the pitcher is on the rubber. It was a mental lapse on his part."

(on Thompson):
"He gave us a chance to come back. It's what separates him from other people. He made clutch pitches when his team was counting on him."

(on diving catch in RF):
"It was a great play... if he doesn't make it it changes the game. Those kind of plays separate teams at regional time."

(on tomorrow):
"They understand what it takes and what's in front of them. It's important to put this behind them."

VIRGINIA SECOND BASEMAN DAVID ADAMS
"It's one of those things. It's unfortunate... unfortunate it didn't go our way."

"Tomorrow is just another ball game. Today hurt, but it's behind us."

UCLA HEAD COACH JOHN SAVAGE
"The game could have gone either way. It's a tough loss for Virginia... to lose the ball in the sun. It's good to get the first one."

(on hidden ball play)
"It was a big play. We've used it a few times this year. Give credit to Jermaine and Tim. The timing was good and fortunately the guy got off the base."

"We do practice it ... about once every two weeks. It probably won't work the rest of the tournament."

(on fundamentals):
"Every play matters, especially in the West. You better have a bunting game and be able to defend the bunt."

UCLA THIRD BASEMAN JERMAINE CURTIS
: "There was some excitement there... the ball was thrown in ... I looked in the eyes of Tim and he just nodded and I took it from there."

UCLA PITCHER TIM MURPHY
"This is definitely a fun environment. This is what you play for all year. It's you vs. the hitter it what it boils down to. My command was good today."

(on hidden ball play):
"It's an instinctual play. We did it at Stanford earlier this year. It's knowing how to read each other."