MSU-North Carolina Post-Game Quotes
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH MIKE FOX
Opening Statement ...
"You get into games like this and it comes down to timely hits and maybe sometimes an unlikely hero of sorts, and I think that we had that today in two big swings of the bat. Then Matt (Danford) came in and was outstanding for seven-plus innings by throwing a lot of strikes and keeping them off balance. We beat a very good team in a tough place. I'm proud of our team for the way we played."
On winning pitcher Matt Danford ...
"You knew we brought Matt into a tough situation with the bases loaded. He was one of our best pitchers in the fall and early in the season but, like a lot of young guys, he struggled during the course of a long season. Matt has a great arm and when the throws strikes he keeps hitters off balance. I have to give him a lot of credit."
NORTH CAROLINA SOPHOMORE INFIELDER GREG MANGUM
On his grandslam in the fourth ...
"A lot of times coach wants me to hit the ball on the ground so I don't go up there looking to hit it out of the ballpark. I wasn't this time, and fortunately I got into a hitter's count and he grooved me a fastball. I just tried to hit it hard. Luckily, I got it into the wind and it got out of here."
NORTH CAROLINA SOPHOMORE CATCHER CHRIS IANNETTA
On the environment ...
"We've had some situations down at Florida State and in the regionals last year where it gets pretty loud. The guys that have been here a couple of years don't let it effect them very much. If this was the first time we had been in the situation it could effect us, but we've been there before."
NORTH CAROLINA FRESHMAN PITCHER MATT DANFORD
On his outing ...
"When I came into the game the crowd was really into it and I tried to come out and get ahead to take them out of it. Once I got that out in the second inning, it was a big confidence booster and the other guys stepped up big with runners in scoring position. After that it became a game of catch for me."
MISSISSIPPI STATE JUNIOR INFIELDER/PITCHER ROBBY GOODSON
On the pitching of North Carolina reliever Matt Danford ...
"He shut us down pretty much. Nothing really to say about it. He came in and threw strikes. He came in and filled the strike zone up and never let up."
MISSISSIPPI STATE JUNIOR PITCHER ALAN JOHNSON
On his performance ...
"Well, as a pitcher you have to go out and compete. The first couple of innings I got six outs in 21 or so pitches. I thought I was going to have a great day. Well, it turns around and bites you. I just didn't go out and do the job."