TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF baseball team made its way to Tallahassee Wednesday evening in preparation of this weekend's NCAA Regional Championship at Dick Howser Stadium.
The Knights spent Thursday afternoon practicing and lifting at the Florida State facilities, before head coach Greg Lovelady spoke to the media about Friday's opener against Auburn and the rest of the tournament in Tallahassee.
No. 2 UCF (40-20) and No. 3 Auburn (35-24) start things off at noon Friday on ESPN2, as the Knights look to advance to their first ever Super Regional.
Quotes
Auburn Head Coach Butch Thompson on UCF
"That's why they're here. That's why they've won 40 ball games, because it's a great bullpen. I'm hearing 6'5", left hander, I'm watching video and I just go get some more ice cream and walk out of the room, I don't want to sit there and watch it. Whenever you see somebody who is experienced and knows exactly what they want to do with their bullpen, when it's set up good, you're always trying to encourage your players to dig in early."
Florida State Coach Mike Martin on UCF and Lovelady
"Did y'all ever lose when you came in here? Anyway, it was fun competing against Greg when he was a player. We're very, very proud to host these teams that got here, because they deserve to be here. We know that every team here is capable of winning this thing."
UCF Coach Greg Lovelady
Opening Statement
"First I just want to thank everybody for being here and taking the time to talk with all of us, and to congratulate the three other teams and the head coaches for being here. It's a huge accomplishment, no matter what the circumstance or where you're at, and I think we're all excited to be here and be able to partake in such an unbelievable tournament."
On his first season with the Knights
"We're really excited, I'm really proud of this group of kids. It's been a whirlwind 10 months for me.. moving my family and all that kind of stuff, to Orlando and obviously getting a group of kids that I didn't recruit. I told the kids when I first met with them, this is your journey, and this is your program. I get to be the leader and what not, but at the end of the day this is your alma mater and it's what you want to make of this. They told me the things that they wanted to accomplish, and I said ok. This is what you guys want and here are the things you're going to need to do in order to reach those goals and to make those memories. I'm really proud of the seniors and the older kids, who set forth on this mission. They had to do certain things and they had to change certain ways that they were accustomed to. I never got any kick back, I never got any fight, all I got was whatever it's going to take for us to reach the goals that we set forth on August the 26th, we're willing to do."
On making memories
"The life that I've had has been very blessed. I talk about my career and my playing career with the utmost joy. The stories that I'm able to tell, to my kids and eventually my grandkids are the things that are important to me. The whole reason I do this is so that my players get to have those same memories and get to tell those same stories to their kids and their grandkids. This is part of it, these are the things that they're never going to forget. Playing in this stadium, where so many great players have played. Section B is going to be.. crazy and they're going to remember that. Hopefully we don't make an error, but if we do they'll get to hear them sing and remind them where the circus is. It will be memorable, and those are the things you want your kids to experience when you do this and when you coach."
On potentially facing FSU
"I have no idea who we were going to play and I have way too much respect for Butch and Auburn to look anywhere past them. I don't think you can go by a report or what you saw in March no matter who you are playing. Week by week, month by month, a lot changes in this game. I think we have to put a lot of effort into trying to beat Keegan Thompson and the Auburn Tigers before we can look ahead to do anything else."
On UCF starting pitcher
"Robby will throw. That's been our guy all year and he's been the ace of the staff for two years. He had a lot of success this year and needs to pitch the way he has pitched this year in order to win the game. I'm not in a position where I feel like I can throw anyone else but Robby Howell. We're going to go with our best guy and try to get the game close and hand the ball off to the strength of our club."