Postgame Quotes: Michigan 8, #19 Iowa 5
5/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 21, 2015
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Michigan Head Coach Erik Bakich
Opening statement ... "We had a quality start from Ryan Nutof. We played pretty good defense til the end of the game and had a lot of quality at bats tonight. We were able to score in multiple innings against a very good team; we knew we were going to have to take a punch. Iowa would return the pressure right back to us, which they did when they had four, two-out hits in the sixth, and they constantly keep the pressure on you - well-coached, very good veteran team. It's good to be able to survive their threats tonight and come out on top."
On not playing until Saturday ... "It's an advantage. But tomorrow's not 'off,' we're still going to practice and lift weights. It's always good to be in a tournament and be able to be in a winner's bracket, but again it just gets back to -- we're just treating this like Saturday's game, like it's the only game we're playing this week, just like we did today and just like we did on Wednesday, taking it one day, one game at a time. We'll do whatever we have to do to bring our best energy and best execution for Saturday's game. It's nice that we have some guys rested and ready to go, but it doesn't matter, everyone's going to have to be ready to go and that's just our mindset."
On being in the driver's seat and keeping it up ... "I think that's the goal of any team in sport - get ahead and stay ahead. We knew we were starting, and we were going to have to take some blows. We knew we were going to have to against Indiana, we knew we were going to have to tonight against Iowa; they just bring relentless pressure from an offensive standpoint, have a lot of good athletes and a lot of veteran hitters. Really, it's just keeping our approach in this process as simple as possible. Our hitters are just trying to execute their approach, have quality at bats, and be tough in the box. Our pitchers are trying to attack the zone with quality pitches. We've simplified a lot of things since the second half of the season. We've had a lot of ups and downs this season but it feels like from an energy standpoint, things are clicking at the right time. I think our guys have a feeling and mindset that they're just not going to be denied."
U-M Freshman RHP Ryan Nutof
On bouncing back after giving up a home run ... "I got behind from the start, and that set up a fastball count and he hit it so I wasn't too discouraged. I expected him to put it in play at least because I know they're a good team when they sit at their pitches. A fastball was coming, and he hit a fastball. Not too discouraging."
U-M Junior OF Cody Bruder
On switching to DH ... "It's just a little tender elbow. It's kind of a mindset, you just have to make sure you're staying tuned. It led me to a pretty decent day."
U-M Fifth-Year Senior C Kendall Patrick
On the energy and morale of the Wolverines ... "Basically a lot on the line but at the same time, it's one game at a time. We're just looking at this postseason of baseball as an extra opportunity to get out on the field and have a little fun and enjoy some last games with each together before it all wraps up."
