Arizona 8, Washington 1
June 03, 2007 | Softball
June 3, 2007
WASHINGTON HEAD COACH Heather Tarr
General comment:
"We had a great season. We wanted to keep playing because we wanted to keep playing as a team. We wanted to win but we really enjoyed ourselves as a team all year. This has been one of the most fun experiences I have had as a coach. We are going to really miss our seniors. They have contributed immensely this year and I am very happy that our young players got to experience this. I am also glad that Danielle (Lawrie) got to have this experience in the College World Series so when she moves forward next year in her international experience she has this in the back of her mind, as well as getting back and contending for a national championship in the future with this program. I wanted to say how proud I am, especially of these two seniors (Dominique Lastrapes and Dena Tyson), who came to Washington under different circumstances and helped lead us back."
On if Arizona's experience of playing at the WCWS was an advantage over them:
"I think when you get here it is a journey and not a sprint. I think we were sprinting pretty hard in the first couple of outings. I think would like to think we were pretty prepared coming into today and we had some rest. The emotional high of the first two wins took a little more than we could chew emotionally. Not being able to pace ourselves through the end I think is where Arizona had the advantage. Last year they were here and made it to the championship series, and they know it is a week long and not four for five days."
WASHINGTON SOPHOMORE PITCHER Danielle Lawrie
On the future of the Washington program:
"I think it is going to open a lot of doors. A lot of kids are going to see this is a solid program with solid pitching, and obviously the offense can get it done. I think it is going to do a lot for recruiting for sure. The experience of getting to come here and go through everything and get on the winner's side of the bracket and have to come back and play two games today, we know what it takes to get there. We know now because we have been here. It is going to be different next year since I am redshirting and getting some international experience. There are going to be some good recruits coming in here next year, and when I come back I am going to be able to say I have been here to the College World Series. It sounds like a national championship right now. This can only help us."
WASHINGTON SENIOR FIRST BASEMAN Dena Tyson
On her journey at Washington:
"I would have never written this story. I am the type of person that believes that everything happens for a reason. Finishing third in the nation is something I would have never dreamed of. Even as a freshman I thought we were pretty good, but never would have dreamed of what happened here. I don't know if this team would have been built without Coach Tarr. I feel like everything happened for a reason."
WASHINGTON SENIOR SECOND BASEMAN Dominique Lastrapes
On her career at Washington:
"I would say the past few weeks have been some of the most fun few weeks I have played here at UW. In Nebraska when we had our backs against the wall in that first championship game and coming back and winning that, and when we hosted the super regional at home and playing in front of a record sell-out crowd and beating Alabama in two games. We came here and beat people who people didn't think we could beat. I am so happy and it is bitter sweet. I am sad that we lost and that it is over, but I am so happy that I got to be a part of this."
ARIZONA HEAD COACH MIKE CANDREA
Opening comment:
"It's harder and harder to get to the College World Series and it's even tougher to get to this game. I'm just really proud of this group. I thought we played outstanding softball today by a group of great athletes that have a goal in mind. They showed it today. To come out and do what Taryne (Mowatt) did was expected. She's been telling me that for quite some time, that she's the one that can do it. I'm really proud of our offense today. We came out when we needed to and put some runs on the board. I can't be any happier right now, but we've got 24 hours to focus on Tennessee."
On learning about junior pitcher Taryne Mowatt:
"I've learned a lot. I've learned a lot about her this entire year. She's gotten better and better. She told me a long time ago that she will throw as much we need her to throw and that she'll get us where we want to go. I said that talk is cheap. Do it. She's on her way to doing it."
ARIZONA SENIOR CENTER FIELDER CAITLIN LOWE
On improving offensively during the College World Series:
"I think it's just a testament to the great pitchers that are here. We faced great pitching along the way. We make our adjustments. We were able to do that last year and hopefully we'll be able to bring some offense into these last two games."
ARIZONA JUNIOR PITCHER TARYNE MOWATT
On regaining confidence after losing to Tennessee earlier in the year:
"Even in the loss against Tennessee we were still getting good contact and we got pitches that game. We just couldn't push a run across. I knew that we would come out the next game and just get the job done. I thought ever since the beginning of the year that we'd be in the finals and that we'd give it everything that we have."
ARIZONA SENIOR SECOND BASEMAN CHELSIE MESA
On seeing Tennessee again:
"I'm pretty excited about that. I owe my team something. I feel like I was real hard on myself, but I knew that we were still in this tournament. We had to go game by game. We had to work our way back. I was glad that I was able to help out doing that by getting a couple hits."
