TCU, Oral Roberts Press Conference Quotes
6/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Recap | Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
Opening Statement
"I'm really excited about the win. That's a really good team we played tonight. I was very impressed by their starting pitcher and what he did after the first couple of innings when we had him on the ropes. I thought [Michael] Landestoy's at-bat in the sixth inning - the two-strike single with the runner going - was a big part of the game. Obviously Cam [Warner] hit one out of the park. That took some pressure off and allowed us to use our guys in the bullpen in order to be more rested for tomorrow. I'm very impressed with Oral Roberts' team and would not be surprised to see them here later on in the weekend."
On the offense
"I thought we hit some balls hard. The ball wasn't really carrying. Oral Roberts also hit some balls hard, and the ball was dying with the humid air. I thought our at-bats were really well even though we weren't scoring early. We had [Bryce Howe's] pitch count near 71 pitches after three innings, which I was even more impressed by how deep he pitched in the game. I felt like if we could keep getting guys on, then somebody would come through."
On Cam Warner's productivity this season
"His reputation as a junior college player was all about his offense. We signed him to hit, but what I've been really impressed with is his defense because he's had to learn a position that he hasn't played in a long time. He was a shortstop growing up, but his defense is what is really important because if he couldn't play second base, I'm not sure where he would play with [Elliott] Barzilli and the guys in the outfield, so his ability to be an outstanding second baseman has made our lineup better."
On the field conditions
"About nine years ago, we put a new drainage system on the field, and our field drains as good as any grass field - even at the professional level - that I've ever seen. Tonight was as soft as it's been since we've put that drainage in. I even made the statement before the game to guys running the tournament that if we get another shower, that I didn't think we could play. I thought both teams did a really good job trying to keep their feet under them. Hopefully it'll dry out before tomorrow."
TCU Second Baseman Cam Warner
On the home run
"The funny things is that coach came to me before the at-bat when the new guy came in, and he actually said, ‘heads-up first pitch hanging breaking ball,' and I got a hanging breaking ball and squared it up."
TCU Pitcher Mitchell Traver
On Oral Roberts
"Obviously they're a good team, and they were aggressive early which we knew they would be. They were taking big swings on the fastball early in the count. It just so happened that the ball kept going right to guys. For me, that's always a great feeling getting quick outs. Hats off to them, though. They made me go to my breaking ball early and was forced to make some good pitches. That's a good ball club."
Oral Roberts Head Coach Ryan Folmar
Opening Statement
"Obviously it's disappointing to drop the first game, but I like the way we competed. We came out and got after it. I like the way Bryce [Howe] competed throughout the game, so it's disappointing to lose the first one, but we've been a resilient type of club all year long, so I expect us to come back out here tomorrow and play well."
On Bryce Howe's performance
"I don't think you ever go in there expecting a number of innings. We expected him to compete well, and that's what he did. I thought his stuff was really good. I thought if he would have commanded a little better, we could have kept him out there a little bit longer, but I appreciate the way he was getting after it. He overcame a lot of mistakes throughout the game. Again, I thought his stuff was really good. The command just wasn't what it normally is for Bryce, but I'm very proud of the way he competed during the game."
"His pitch count climbed pretty high. He was near 110, 112 pitches deep, and Josh [McMinn] has been pretty good, so we trusted him in that moment. It didn't turn out very well, but again I'm very proud of the way Bryce competed. I can't say that enough."
On the mentality for Saturday
"We trust our team, we trust our preparation. Right now it's about playing well and finding a way to win. We understand that it's win or go home now, but we've been in this spot before. We've had to treat a lot of our series to prepare us for these moments. I like our our guys. I like the resiliency of our team. I like the toughness our team, so we're going to come out and give it a run."
Oral Roberts Pitcher Bryce Howe
On his command
"My command wasn't there like it usually is. Whenever your command isn't there, you just have to battle and hopefully get through it. For the most part, you just have to grind and get through those long innings."
On his stamina
"I felt good. It was really humid out, so I was staying hot keeping the arm feeling loose, so I felt good the whole time."
Oral Roberts Right Fielder Noah Cummings
On the field conditions
"It was wet out there in right field for sure. Every step you took, there was splashing going on. I was having trouble keeping my footing, but it's something you can't control, so you just deal with it."
On hitting
"It does get a little frustrating hitting the ball hard right at people. But that's what you want to do when you're up to bat - just hit something hard. We had a lot of hard-hit balls, but they found the defense a lot."
