NCAA Starkville Super Regional: MSU Quotes (June 12, 2021)

NCAA Starkville Super Regional
Postgame Press Conference – Game 1
Mississippi State
June 12, 2021

Mississippi State Head Coach Chris Lemonis

Q: How important was it for Rowdey Jordan and Tanner Allen to come through for you on the big stage?
CL: "That was a nerve-wracking game, when we fell behind 7-3. Those guys played as good as they can play. They put the team on their back. We had some other guys [step up] with Brad Cumbest, Kamren James and Logan Tanner's big swing. Scott Foxhall and I were debating who we would put in after the seventh, and as soon as the ball went out from Logan Tanner, we knew Landon Sims was ready to go. I thought all the guys were good today. Every at bat was so competitive, and we put pressure on them from pitch No. 1."

Q: What did you see from your bullpen today?
CL: "I thought our bullpen was good. Even though he missed on the one pitch, I thought Chase Patrick was really good and got us out of the jam. It was a tough day for Will Bednar. He's one of the best pitchers in the country, and we wouldn't be here without him. You have to tip your hat to the guys in the other dugout. They are really good, and their coaching staff had a great approach against Will today. He fought, competed and got out of a couple of jams, but just in the heat and everything else, we thought it was best to go to another arm. Our other guys came in, and our pitching got better and better as the day went on."

Q: Can you talk about Preston Johnson's growth this season?
CL: "When you get into a situation where it's a big moment and the game is on the line, it comes down to who you trust. He is a guy that has garnered a lot of trust over the last month or so, and he came out and gave us a few innings. He comes in and throws strikes, and that's what we are looking for. We have to recycle him and get him ready to possibly throw again this weekend. I was really happy with how he went out there and compete. He gave up a run, but they had to earn it."

Q: Where does this game rank for you from an intensity standpoint?
CL: "It's about as intense as I've had. Maybe Auburn in Omaha or the first Stanford game [in 2019]. The games just seem to keep getting bigger and bigger here. What a job by our fanbase. On a day when the heat index was [100 degrees], I am soaking wet right now. I know most of our fans probably are. We had fans out here at 8:30 a.m., and I was walking around saying hey. To fill the ballpark the way they did and as loud and vocal as they were, the fans were a difference maker in today's game. We call it The Dude Effect. Our fans kept us in it the whole time."

Q: What kind of impact did the fans have on Notre Dame in this game?
CL: "I think it makes it tougher to pitch and make plays. At points when there are big moments in the game, it's hard to hear and talk. They do it all the time. I thought our crowd was huge. I think they made a difference and put some pressure on Notre Dame. I'm glad they were on our side."

Q: These are the kind of games guys come to college to play in, so when you go recruit and you're sitting in someone's living room talking college baseball and these things are some of the things you mention, so how good is it to have that and then win the game, too?
CL: "It's awesome. It's a big win today, obviously, winning game one is huge. Using Landon [Sims] to get the win and being on national TV and everyone seeing us. The hard part is the recruiting calendar has opened up, and there are recruiters across the country. I keep telling our guys, 'It's okay, there's TVs on all across the country and people are watching us play.' Even though we're not out there [recruiting], I know the best players in this part of the country are watching. Just like you hear our players, it's an experience like no other and having the opportunity play here in this ballpark, play in front of this fanbase, man it's pretty special."

Q: Last week we saw you expand the pitch count with Christian McCleod and Will Bednar, does anything change with Landon [Sims] down the stretch?
CL: "With Landon, it's usually about Landon. Landon gives me a heads up on where he's at. We're always going to protect him, but I do think he'll throw more in the postseason. He's a strong kid. He's been on a good count all year long, but it's how he responds each day, and we want to put him in the best situation to win. So, I hope so. I hope he's out there finishing a game tomorrow or whenever. But this time of year, you're pushing to win, and you want to be smarter with your guys but also, they can go a little farther. Like last weekend, guys went a little bit longer, that can happen to Landon, too."

Q: Wasn't sure your plan for Landon Sims after the game, but I'm sure it confirmed it when Logan Tanner hit that home run?
CL: "Yes, it was. We were sitting there debating it, to put him in for the win, and as soon as that ball went up, [we knew] he was going into the ball game. We had another guy ready to go, he was going to go in, and if he got in a jam, we would go to Landon. But once that ball went up, it was 'get Landon ready' and we're going to play the last six outs with what we feel like is the best closer in the country."

Q: How reassuring is it that your guys come out on top against a team that put up 50 runs in the regional?
CL: "And really, they threw two really hot arms today. Their starter was really good, he's been really good. And then their closer had some plus stuff. I tip my hat, so thankful Jake Gautreau is on our staff. Him and [assistant coach Kyle Cheesbrough] have our guys ready every week, every pitcher. And then you look up and you have this offense that can do a lot of things. We're athletic, we can hit for average, we have some guys that can hit for power, we have some veterans in there. It's a tough lineup, and we match up and can lock in on somebody else and have a great approach, and I thought that's what our guys did today. They didn't panic, they just tried to keep the lineup going and get another guy to the plate and then Rowdey [Jordan] gets the big hit and [Logan Tanner] gets a big hit. I feel like we've been in this type of game all year long. We're never in blowouts, so maybe that helped us today."

Q: From a manager's perspective, is there a sense of helplessness from the dugout in a back-and-forth game like that?
CL: "I don't know about helplessness, but it's frustrating in some ways. And then you sit there, and you say, 'Man, we're in a brawl'. I think one of our kids came in off the field and said 'keep punching' because it's one of those games where it's going to be decided late, and it'll be like that tomorrow. It's two really good teams, two really good offenses, two well coached teams and it's going to be like that all day. It was, it was a little frustrating at times. You're sitting there and want to get some momentum—like I said, Will [Bednar] wasn't at his best, but they were also pretty good, too. You have to give them credit, they had a great approach on him today."

Landon Sims | Pitcher

Q: What's that moment like for you when the crowd rises in unison as you enter the game?
LS: "I looked at Kamren James when I was running, and I said, 'This is unreal.' To experience this is such a blessing. Preston Johnson uses that word a lot. These are the best fans in college baseball. To be able to go out there and do that in front of them is pretty awesome."

Q: Can you take us through the eighth inning and specifically the at bat with Niko Kavadas?
LS: "With the No. 2 and 3 hole to start, I knew I had to get those guys out. Those were really big outs to have the bases empty when Kavadas came up. We did plenty of scouting on him and know how good of a player he is. We don't want to throw him any mistakes this weekend, because he will capitalize on them. That battle with him was what it's all about. That was really fun."

Q: Where does today's game rank in terms of most intense games in your career?
LS: "This game was awesome from the first pitch to the last pitch. It was a fun game. We try to treat every game the same, especially I do. I am going to have to throw the ball over the plate to get out. That will be the same recipe whether I'm in the backyard with friends or playing in front of 15,000 people at The Dude."

Q: I want to go back to the Niko Kavadas at bat in the eighth. How difficult is it to stick to the plan in a best-versus-best situation like that one?
LS: "It's not as difficult as you would think. He's their guy, and if I set one up on a tee for him, he could probably hit the ball about 450 feet. It's hard but not too hard. I know I have to place pitches exactly where they are called."

Q: What was it like to get the big out against Niko Kavadas and give your team a huge lift?
LS: "It was huge. I felt a little bit of a momentum swing there. If he wins the at bat, it would have given their dugout a little bit of momentum. It goes back to not giving him anything to hit, but at the same time, I didn't want to walk him with two outs."

Q: How cool was it to see Preston Johnson come in and shine on this stage?
LS: "He deserves it. He works really hard. It's obviously been a dream for him to come play at Mississippi State. It's really awesome to see all of these guys fulfilling their lifelong dream of playing at The Dude."

Rowdey Jordan | Center Fielder

Q: What was the message to the dugout when you guys were down 7-3 and were able to sweat it out?
RJ: "We knew it was 7-3. In the dugout, we knew the game wasn't over. We knew we had a chance to put up some runs. The mindset was 'Let's put some runs on the board. Let's keep fighting and have good at-bats,' and that's what we did. As a result of that, we put up some runs."

Q: Take me through the sequence of that home run in the bottom of the sixth inning?
RJ: "[Hitting coach Jake Gautreau] came to me [and] was talking about how he's a heavy fastball guy, so that's what my approach was. Get a good pitch to hit. Fastball, be on it, be ready to hit it. He gave me a fastball in a good spot, so I put a good swing on it, and it left the yard."

Q: How was Logan Tanner feeling after hitting into two double plays and then how did he feel after the home run?
RJ: "I'm sure he was a little frustrated, grounding in to two double plays in a game like that. But the good thing with Lo Tan is he puts the at-bats behind him. It's always the next one. He had a big home run late in the game, and it was good."

Q: How do you balance being aggressive at the plate and being a patient leadoff hitter to see some pitches for your teammates?
RJ: "It all really depends on what's going on in the game, if we have a long inning in the field, if it's a short one in the field. It really all depends on what's happening in the game, which ultimately leads to going up there to see a pitch or go up there and try to swing at the first one. That's the biggest thing, it's really about what's going on in the game."

Q: What does it say about the depth of the lineup, what you guys are able to do, especially against a team that scored 50 runs in the regional and eight runs today?
RJ: "It says a lot. I think it's pretty well-known that we have a pretty good lineup, one through nine, and when we come out and produce like that it feels good. Knowing that we've got guys throughout the lineup takes pressure off everybody. We can play relaxed, and good things happen."

Q: If this is your last time playing at Dudy Noble, how does it feel to come out and have that kind of reception from the crowd but also be able to come through in a game that means so much?
RJ: "It was huge. That many people there, could be one of my last games here. Just being able to have good at-bats and good results, it's awesome. You can't put it into words, the fans screaming your name, it's awesome."

Q: How big of a difference does "The Dude Effect" make when you're down 7-3 in a super regional game and you've got the largest super regional crowd in history here rooting you on?
RJ: "Huge difference, huge difference. As soon as you get a little momentum, they get loud. The confidence just starts rolling, and that's what leads to big innings and that's what happened today. [We] got a few hits, crowd gets loud. Then we get a big hit, and they get even louder, and it just snowballs."

Q: How fun are those back-and-forth games?
RJ: "It's awesome, especially when you come out on the good side of it. You look back, and you have the nerves during the game, but when you look back it's 14,000 people having a good time, and you're having a good time. It's amazing."

Q: What effect do you think "The Dude Effect" had on Notre Dame today?
RJ: "I think, just the atmosphere, it's tough to play in. Any time you play in a big environment, it makes it more difficult. Especially when the fans are right on top of you like that and they're loud, it just makes it more difficult, and I think that played a big part [with] some of the errors they had today."

Preston Johnson | Pitcher

Q: You came in a tough situation. What was your approach coming into the game?
PJ: "First of all, that is a really good team. Coming into the game in a big spot in front of a big crowd is a little nerve-wracking until you get on the mound and the batter gets into the box. You are then just so ready to go. The whole thing with me today was just pounding the zone with everything. I threw at least two pitches. I did not want them to turn me into a one-pitch guy. It has kind of been my thing. I have just been coming into games and going as long as I can then hand it off to the next guy. It worked out today with Landon [Sims] being the next guy and shutting them down for the win."

Q: You grew up just down the road from another postseason Mississippi State hero Hunter Renfroe How special was it emotionally for you to play in front of an enormous crowd today?
PJ: "Honestly, I am speechless. The only word that I can really say is that it is a blessing. The Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to come play at my dream school. I have been watching Hunter [Renfroe] my entire life. We grew up just two miles down the road from each other. We still talk on a weekly basis. Watching him in the World Series and in the Super Regionals wearing the Maroon and White is just awesome. He texts me all the time and tells me to keep it up. I have been following his footsteps throughout high school and into this big arena is awesome. It is just a blessing."

Q: After your first appearance, you said you had to settle yourself down and remind yourself that you belong. Now, you're pitching in front of a record crowd and getting your team to victory, how confident are you that you have shown that you belong?
PJ: "It was definitely a struggle in the beginning. We have talent upon talent upon talent on this team, in this league and in this country. To be able to be a big part of this team and to have a spot to get innings – it's a struggle to get innings with how many pitchers and how much talent we have. You just have to tell yourself, 'I belong. I'm good enough. I'm better than you until you prove me wrong,' and that's just kind of the mindset. It's how you have to look at it, I guess, from my eyes."

Q: How does an atmosphere affect you?
PJ: "As a player, I usually don't get too amped and try not to show emotion in a positive or a negative way. But, really, the most nerve-wracking thing is running to the mound and hearing those people cheer for you and the Bulldogs. Honestly, once the batter steps in the box, like I said, I just kind of get tunnel vision. If anything, sometimes I have to step back and tell myself, 'Preston, enjoy this. You've worked this hard your whole life, and now you're living your dream. Look around. Take a minute to take in this atmosphere and give all the glory to God.'"

Mississippi State University Athletics