California 3, Arizona State 0

CALIFORNIA HEAD COACH DIANE NINEMIRE
General comment:
"It was a great game. Again, it was a typical Pac-10 game. You knew it was going to be a pitching duel. We were very fortunate in the first inning when I got my first two batters on base. Then Jessica (Pamanian) came up and got the little dribbler down to third base. We made the most of the opportunity and scored three runs. Jocelyn (Forest) threw another great game for us today and we played great defense."

On her team having success this season against possible championship opponent Arizona:
"We had two really good games against them. Tomorrow is a different day. It will be high stakes with everyone coming out after each other. I anticipate it will be a really good game tomorrow."

On whether the fact that four different schools have won the last four Women's College World Series is a sign of parity at the top of college softball:
"This year I was thinking that the parity was right there across the country. I think softball is becoming a sport that is catching on in all parts of the country. There's not really an easy team out there anymore. I think that the sport is growing so fast and that there are so many good teams out there."

On Jocelyn Forest's performance throughout the WCWS:
"She's got a heart of a lion. She is going out there and throwing her heart out for this team right now. She's done a great job of keeping the batters off balance. She knows when to hold back a little bit and throw more off speed so that she can pace herself a little bit. I think it shows just how much she has matured and grown throughout her four years at Cal."

CALIFORNIA FRESHMAN JESSICA PAMANIAN
On whether she had the throw beat at first base:
"I thought it was going to be close even though I was running and she wasn't catching it yet. I looked over and thought `Whoa, I better get going.'"

CALIFORNIA JUNIOR VERONICA NELSON
On whether she was surprised that Arizona State walked her with runners at first and second in her first at bat:
"No, every time we play Arizona State, I always get walked. We've played them four times already this year and I think I've had three official at bats. I was actually surprised more the second time (when they walked her) with no two outs and no one on."

On whether she gets frustrated with being walked so often:
"No, I haven't this year because my teammates behind me are so great. Everybody on our team has contributed at some point this year. Me getting walked is just another way for us to score runs."

On Cal's success against Arizona this season:
"It brings our team confidence knowing that we beat them two games out of three. Especially with the roll we're going on now. I think we've won nine (games) in a row. We're up and excited to play every inning. We're just excited to be here. We're ready to play no matter who we play."

ARIZONA STATE HEAD COACH LINDA WELLS
General comment:
"I knew it would be a great pitching match-up and it was. Unfortunately, we made a mistake and it was costly and it also happened early so it was psychologically damaging for us. Forest just made a great effort, so to look at getting back three was a little formidable psychologically. Have to extend congratulations to her, she kept us from being able to come back. At the same time, we had a ball that could have put us out of the inning. Beach pitched great. Not only did she have to pitch great, but to pitch great down by three the whole game."

On the throwing error that allowed Cal to score three runs:
"In hindsight, a lot of things were possible. Most possible would have been a play at the plate. It was just a missed hit ball and there was an opportunity for a play at the plate. There were other opportunities in that inning and there were a lot of opportunities throughout the game."

ARIZONA STATE SENIOR ERICA BEACH
On how her shoulder feels:
"Just the usual. It feels like I've been pitching a lot. It's nothing I'm not used to."

On her experience at the WCWS:
"It's been a really great experience. We've been treated well and we've had a lot of fun and met a lot of really nice people. I just love my team and there's nothing to frown about. Everything happens for a reason and Cal was supposed to make it to the championship game. I wish them the best of luck. I was just excited to be here and I had a blast."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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