May 26, 2012

Recap |  Final Stats

California Head Coach Diane Ninemire

On manufacturing two runs later in the game:
"We went to our short game later in the game, and we executed exactly what we needed to do."

On Washington's decision to pitch to Valerie Arioto after teams pitched around her last weekend:
"I'm not really surprised they pitched to her because in the Pac-12 a number of teams pitched to her. We're glad they pitched to her and we'd like to have the opportunity for her to hit the ball. She's a very patient hitter. She stays within herself, She'll take a walk if it's given to her, but if they're going to pitch to her and she gets the pitch, then you'll get what you saw tonight. That's why she's one of the top players in the country. "

Senior Second Baseman Jace Williams

On whether the team is looking forward to making the Women's College World Series:
"One game at a time, so we're thinking about tomorrow, I'm not trying to look ahead into the future. UW is a great team. They're going to come out fired up tomorrow so, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's game."

On her hitting today:
"I'm just glad that we won game one of our super regional. Anytime we can win a ball game, I'm happy. They are a great squad and we've got to come out tomorrow and do what we did today."

Senior First Baseman Valerie Arioto

On being pitched to tonight:
"I was really glad to see some pitches this week ... Jolene (Henderson) threw live to me (in practice) so that I could see some pitches, I was just hoping they'd pitch to me and see if I could produce for my team. Obviously, UW is a good team and I'm looking forward to seeing them tomorrow."

On playing at home:
"It's a great atmosphere. For our seniors, it means a lot to have our last games at home. Everyone that made this happen, everyone at Cal and everyone that made it happen quick, we appreciate that. It means a lot to us to have our home fans and our family come support us. It means a lot to us."

Junior Pitcher Jolene Henderson

On how she felt after getting a three-run lead in first inning:
"I was really, really excited. Val came up to me and I always tell Val `the bat's in your hands' because she has to hit from me too, so I was really proud of her. She just got on one early, got our team up, and that's just what we needed ... just to get runs so that we could keep producing"

On how she felt pitching tonight:
"I felt awesome throwing tonight. The team came out so strong. Defense was there from the start. They make it easier to pitch when they are behind me. It just felt really good coming out to play today."

Washington Head Coach Heather Tarr

Opening Statement:
"Good game. I thought the first inning was a little bit out of control on our part. they hit a lot of home runs, but they are a great-hitting team and they capitalized on some mistakes. I thought we competed well. We played a good game, despite the first inning."

On her team's decision to pitch to Valerie Arioto after other teams pitched around her last weekend:
"We don't worry about what other teams do. We are going to do what we are going to do and that's what we're going to focus on."

On the first home run:
"I thought she (Inglesby) made a mistake and then she (Arioto) capitalized on the pitch being in the zone."

On how team will respond tomorrow:
"Really well."

On what they have to do on Sunday to win:
"Offensively, I think we have more to offer than we showed in this game, and Jolene (Henderson) threw a great game today. I also think that our hitters have to take some better AB's."

Pitcher Kaitlin Inglesby

On the first home run:
"She did what she should have done with that pitch. She hit a good pitch and that is all I can say about it."