May 11, 2006

#2 Marshall 7, #6 Southern Miss 4

Shonda Stanton, Marshall Head Coach

On the win:

"We weren't pleased with how we played but we're pleased with the final result. The difference was obviously our team being able to hit the ball and execute, putting a squeeze down and then hit the long ball and we had enough runs to hold back their comeback. I'm pleased with our team being able to get to play in the semi-final game."

On the early lead:

"That just goes to show that you can never quit and you have to keep executing and continue to make plays. Every team in this league is solid and there is so much parody in this league that you have to go out and play a full seven innings from the first pitch to the last."

Leigh Wintter, Senior, Third Base

"It was really important for us to come into the tournament as a second seed and get the bye, so it's important to take one game at a time. This first game was a big game for us. We really wanted to come out and play well. We knew what we needed to do and offensive production is something we've needed so it felt good to come out and go up 7-1, and just having that offense to carry us through the whole tournament is really what we're looking forward to doing."

Gay McNutt, Southern Miss Head Coach

Thoughts on teams performance:

"I thought we played well in certain innings. We came out strong. We looked good. Marshall's got a great team and they don't quit. When you face an opponent like that you have to stay in every inning. Our outfielders have played strong for us all year long, and I felt like they made some very big mistakes. We brought our best reliever in and she didn't close the door on things. She gave up a big home run that was very costly. We have to keep our heads up and fight back tomorrow."

On preparing for tomorrow's game:

"We are going to go have a good dinner, and then watch the tape on UAB from earlier in the year and show up at game time ready to go. When you have one more chance at it, you have to be positive and come prepared. UAB is a feisty team, but we have to out fight them."