Ohio State Softball Quotes – May 6, 2008

Linda Kalafatis, Ohio State Head Coach
On the team going 7-2 in its last nine games
“We had some adversity through the mid and late part of the season and it took us a while, which can happen with a young team, to find ourselves again. I think we’ve done that. I think out kids are ready to fight hard.”

On the seniors end their careers soon
“I guess it gets a little sentimental, but you try to keep your focus on the mission at hand, which is to win the game. That’s on all 18 kids and the mission of the team. That’s what banquets are for – to reflect on the seniors and their time here.”

On entering the Big Ten tournament as the No. 8 seed
“We had to sit home and wait and a lot of people will say we backed in, but we earn what we earn. We certainly would have liked to make it not so close, but I think the kids are excited for a new opportunity because it was uncertain going into the weekend if we would be in. And we have a lot of new kids who haven’t been through this before. So as much as we’ll use the experience of the returners, we’ll use this as an experience for the future for the young kids.”

On facing Northwestern pitcher Lauren Delaney
“Before practice yesterday we watched some video. Obviously she is very good and there is a good possibility she could be the pitcher of the year in the Big Ten. She throws very hard, but what we noticed in watching her is that she throws a lot of outside pitches. We are going to have to decide whether we will have some hitters crowd the plate or wait for that one or two times she comes inside. And we have to stay off the high pitch and be a little shorter and quicker to the ball.”

On the host site coming down to a coin flip
“In some ways it’s a shame. But Northwestern had to play at Michigan in really what ended up being the deciding games and they were able to split at Michigan, so in a lot of ways they deserve it more than anybody. I know both programs have new facilities so I’m sure they were both anxious to host.”

On facing a Northwestern team that swept Ohio State in April
“We weren’t playing very good when we had Northwestern here. We’re playing better now, so there’s some confidence in that, but in the same respect we’re still going to have to face Delaney and we’re still going to have to face their hitters, so we’re still going to have to do a lot of things right. But you only have to be better on one day and in one game.”

On the tournament bracket
“I haven’t looked at the bracket past the first day. I know all the teams there are good. We’ll just face who we face the first day and go from there.”

On getting into the Big Ten tournament for the seventh time in the last eight years
“It might a little sentimental, too, since is the last Big Ten tournament, at least last in a while. Who knows when we will not like the new format we are going to next year (with no tournament). So that adds a little excitement.”

On if Ohio State has to win the Big Ten tournament to get into the NCAA tournament
“That I don’t know. That’s out of my hands, but we’re going to go there with the intent of winning it all. We’ll worry about one game at a time and facing Northwestern to start off, which is a big one, but they’re no stranger to us. We have a history with Northwestern. If you want to be a champion you have to beat the best and that’s what we’ll try to do.”

Brittany Vanderink, senior captain and designated player/outfielder
On the postseason
“It’s just all about going to the Big Ten tournament, doing well there and then hopefully going to a good (NCAA) regional.”

On her college career coming to an end
“It’s kind of sad to be out there. It’s about playing the best I can and enjoying the time I have left with the girls.”

On facing Northwestern in the quarterfinals
“They’re a powerhouse team, there’s no doubt about it. We have to fix our mistakes from the last time we played them. We were in a lull the first time we played them, but now we’re ready to go. We’re hitting better, defensive is on top of things. We’re going to get after it.”

Kim Reeder, junior pitcher
On facing Northwestern in the quarterfinals
“I’m really excited to play Northwestern. They’re one of the top teams in the tournament and we’re going to have to get past them at some point if we are going to get to the championship game, which we want to do to get to NCAA regionals.”

On if the quarterfinal game will have a championship game feel to it
“I think if we were playing either Northwestern or Michigan first, then yes it would feel like a championship game. We have to play every game like it’s a championship game if we’re going to win the tournament.”

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