June 4, 2005

Recap |  Final Stats |  Notes

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - California head coach Diane Ninemire
General comment:
"I would first off like to thank our players. Even though our season did not end the way we had planned, I am really proud of the effort of these players. Today you had two teams that just didn't want their seasons to end. I think they went out there and played like champions. I can't say enough about the effort of Kristina Thorson only giving up two hits. This game went nearly four hours and I just want to compliment our team."

On deciding to pull Kristina Thorson in the 11th inning:
"It got to a point where I think Kristina hit her level of needing to come out. She looked at me and let me know how she was. That's when we put (Kelly) Anderson in. That was the thing this year with having two 20-game winners on the squad - it was never a question or a hesitation in replacing the other one. I always knew that they would be ready for each other. Today you could see that we needed both of them to get through this game. And unfortunately we came up a little short."

California junior pitcher Kristina Thorson
On hitting her pitching limit:
"Coming out of the inning before that I felt okay. Then when I went back out to warm up I felt a little off. Then the first pitch that I threw, it was off. Then it was like, `okay, if I don't hit the next one I'm going to pull myself regardless of what happens.'

"I think it was the heat more than anything. I've (thrown) way more than that in a day, but I think the pressure of being in this stadium during the World Series - you have a lot of adrenaline going and with the heat on top of that it takes a lot out of you, a lot more than a regular game."

Arizona head coach Mike Candrea
General comment:
"When you're in the losers' bracket any game is a big game, so that was a big one for us. Obviously, we want to stay around and play. The kids came out and they played very, very hard. We had some opportunities and we just couldn't push a run across and decided to play a couple games instead of one. But hats off to (pitcher Alicia) Hollowell for hanging in there and doing a good job and giving us a chance to try and get something done. And you know, (Allyson Von Liechtenstein) steps up with a big at-bat and it was a good game for us to win. Now we have to regroup and get ready for Texas."

On the short turnaround time to tonight's game
"Well, I think at this time of year they don't need anything to get them ready to play. Obviously, my biggest concern right now is getting them something to eat, getting them out of here, and letting them get back to the ballpark and get ready for that 6 p.m. game. I think that's the challenge right now - the turnaround time. Obviously, we didn't plan on playing 12 innings but it doesn't give us much time because we're going to be warming up here in about 45 minutes. So they really don't have a chance to get cooled off but it becomes a mental thing more than anything. They're here to play.

Arizona freshman Adrienne Acton
On scoring the game-winner as a pinch runner:
"Anything you can do for your team to help them win is great - to get them one step farther. It was a special moment being able to run and when I saw the ball on the ground that Ally had hit I knew I was going to score. I don't really remember running, I just remember the moment after and knowing that we won. It was special."