May 26, 2001
Game 2 Quotes
#2 UC Santa Barbara vs. #3 Florida International
May 25, 2001
UCSB HEAD COACH BOB BRONTSEMA
On his team’s play tonight…
We were not a good club tonight. We set the tone early with a lead-off walk and some bad defense early on, and we did not recover very well. We started to get a little rhythm and get back in the game, and then we lost it. The baserunning and that double in that inning took the momentum back their way.
On the confusing double…
I didn’t think it was a catch. I think the baserunner may have gotten deked by the third baseman on that play. I think the third baseman said, “Great play.” We couldn’t really find which of the umpires had made the call, and we didn’t think to look at the first base umpire. He was apparently the one that made the call. By the time we figured that out, we held them there. We were hoping to get a ground ball and get the run in, but that didn’t happen.
On the starting pitcher, James Garica…
I think he let our defense get into his head a little bit. There were a couple plays in the first inning that we didn’t make, that we normally make. I think that maybe ticked him off a little bit — normally he’s more mentally tough than that. The same thing happened in that six-run inning (fourth inning), and I think the balk calls bothered him a little bit. We gave them too many opportunities. I thought FIU played pretty well. They’re a very good club.
On Ryan Spilborghs’ Hitting Streak…
If there’s any kind of silver lining, that would be it. He’s had a couple of games where he’s come up with a big hit. This was one of those times. I wasn’t going to pinch-hit for him, I’m happy for him.
On the balks…
Balks are a point of emphasis. They made a statement in the pre-tournament meeting. We had some balks in games because he (James Garcia) has a slower release. Apparently that was deceiving. That rattled us — we did not handle it well.
UCSB OUTFIELDER JARED SCHUMAKER
On the balks and what happened during the game…
They rattled us a little bit. But our whole team was playing pretty badly today. I’ve never seen it happen, since the first time we played USC, way back when. It all just fell apart around the fifth inning and I don’t know why.
On the rain delay…
I think we were ready for this game last week. So I don’t think it really had any effect.
FIU HEAD COACH DANNY PRICE
On the game…
We were able to come out early and be really aggressive. Some things just worked out for us. The balks, and a couple walks early. We seemed to capitalize on their mistakes. At the same time, I think Willie (Collazo) came out in that second inning, and they really capitalized on him. After that, their pitcher (Garcia) really got into a flow. When we finally got to him, his pitch count was getting up there.
On facing Danny Tamayo of Notre Dame, a Miami native…
A lot of our players know him, and we know about him. I remember he signed to go to Notre Dame because that’s where he wanted to go, and that’s about all I remember.
FIU STARTING PITCHER WILLIAM COLLAZO
On UCSB…
This is a good ballclub. They can hit the ball. I knew when I came out here, that they were hitting .340 as a club, so I knew that they were going to come out and hit the ball. So I tried to come out and throw pitches, and let the defense do their job.
On playing Notre Dame tomorrow…
We’re very excited. Coming from Florida and playing in Indiana at a big school, that has been in the top five for the whole year, we’re very excited to play them tomorrow.
FIU INFIELDER MICKEY TORELLO
On the offensive explosion…
He was a tough pitcher. He had his slider working. I was struggling my first two at-bats with his slider. And so were the other righty hitters. I tried to get up in the batters box and adjust to his pitches.
On his home run…
He was getting ahead of me on sliders away. I was getting out on my front foot, and I realized what I was doing. So I just tried to move up in the box, and catch the pitches early.