University Southern California Trojans
June 01, 2002 | Baseball
June 1, 2002
Cal State Northridge Coach Mike Batesole
"Yesterday we talked about throwing strikes as the reason we won. It's the same reason we didn't win today (against USC). We walked 10 and they walked two. We struggled with the strike zone all day. We made adjustments, and more adjustments, but had a hard time getting it done."
Cal State Northridge Pitcher Bill Murphy
"It was just one of those days. I wasn't consistent at all."
Cal State Northridge Rightfielder Eric Verbryke
(on facing USC pitcher Cory Campos):
"He mostly threw offspeed. It took me a couple of at-bats to adjust to it. I wish I had seen him a time before because I'd have already made my adjustments."
USC Coach Mike Gillespie
"The key for us was really good pitching from all three guys and some timely big hits. Joey Metropoulos was a big part of the offense. In the ninth, Metropoulos, (Michael) Morales and (Jon) Brewster all gave us really good at-bats. It looked like it would be a frustrating day offensively. Like we'd drive the length of the field and be forced to punt and we'd drive the length of the field and go wide right. It was of concern. But our pitching gave us a chance to win this one.
(on starting Cory Campos):
"The feeling was that it gave us the best chance to be lefthanded against them. Cory had not started for us this year and there was some question as to how long he could go. But in the role Cory's been in this year, he's been money throwing strikes and does not get rattled. We trust his stuff. He can pitch in and away and he has confidence he's going to throw strikes."
USC Pitcher Cory Campos
"I didn't feel like I was on my game today. To be honest, I felt like I was battling all day. I got lucky a few times and my boys helped me out in the field a few times.
"As a pitcher, you try to get your offspeed over for strikes to set up your fastball and you have to get your fastball over to set up your offspeed. Without one, you're going to get hit."
USC Pitcher Jon Williams
(on coming in with runners on late in the game):
"In this situation, you can't get rattled. You have to try to get some soft outs. You can't leave the ball up, because that's when they get their doubles and home runs. I just wanted to keep the ball low."
USC Outfielder Michael Morales
(On his RBI double in the top of the ninth that gave USC a two-run lead):
"It felt really good. I've been seeing the ball well. The way the game went, I was asked to sacrifice and take some walks. But you look for a situation with two outs and a runner on. I feel like I can excel in those situations and today I had my chance."
