NCAA Softball Championships Dahlonega Regional Game 2 Quotes

North Georgia Head Coach Mike Davenport

Opening Comments:
"This time of year you are just trying to survive and move on so that was the big key for us tonight.  Like all of the teams, most haven't played in at least two weeks and we haven't played in three weeks.  It was good to get back on the field obviously with the weather being an issue.  It was good to get the games in and get game one under our belt and now the tournament just gets tougher from here on out."

On the players left on base:
That is kind of a double-edged sword from a coach’s standpoint.  It means we are getting on base but we couldn't get the key hit when we needed it.  The long ball by Kayla Martin kind of kept the game out of reach but the young lady (Sarah Phillips) to your left really kept us in the ball game."

On Hilary Cox's RBI single in the 1st:
"We loaded the bases with one out and Hilary battled on a two strike pitch and got the hit.  You didn't want to give Queens any momentum getting the bases loaded with no runs."

On the keys for tomorrow against Augusta State:
"It’s a familiar foe.  There isn’t going to be any secrets or tricks that are going to win you the game.  It’s going to come down to execution, which is pretty much what we preach to the kids.  It’s hitting the ball, throwing strikes, and making plays defensively behind our pitchers."



North Georgia pitcher Sarah Phillips

On getting out of trouble in the 4th inning:
"In the fourth inning when the runner was on 1st and third I just thought we already have two runs, the one run isn’t going to hurt us because I know my team is going to score the runs for me.  I just think I have one out and I have to get the batters if you can do it yourself, do it yourself.  But get a ground ball and I know my teammates will make the play, which they did all night.  They made every play that came to them.  I just know that they are going to make the play so I do what I got to do."

On facing Augusta State:
"Yeah.  We face Augusta (State) a lot.  I think this will be our fifth time.  We know what they are going to throw at us and they know what we are going to throw at them.  It’s going to be a battle from start to finish.  We just have to keep our composure and stay confident and just go up there and hack.

Queens University of Charlotte Head Coach Stacy Schramm

On playing North Georgia so close:
"Definitely, I mean they are the best team we have ever played.  It’s a little frustrating obviously but you know they do have the better team and a great pitcher."

On Chantel Dodge's performance:
"Usually we are ranked nationally in defense and Chantel Dodge is ranked nationally in strikeouts.  When the ball is put in play I expect my defense to make plays and sometimes I expect them to make great plays."

On preparing for the elimination game:
"Fortunately we have played Wingate twice already.  We lost a close one 2-1 and they blew us out the second game early on in the season.  We are a different team and the way I see it, its redemption.  We cannot let Wingate beat us three times.  It’s not even about regionals now, it’s about Wingate.  We make it personal to motivate them."