Nebraska 1, Michigan 0

NEBRASKA HEAD COACH RHONDA REVELLE
General comment:
"I really think this game was about perseverance, sticking together and not letting the hiccups dominate. What I mean by that is that we had some miscues that aren't characteristic with the things we do. We've played very good defense down the stretch and that's who we are. That defensive performance was not a reflection of Nebraska softball. I told the team afterwards, `The good thing is that they are all out of your system.' We let it go and we had great pitching. We scored the run on our strength. We got thrown out (at second early in the game). I tip my hat to Hutch (Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins) and her preparation on our steals. When we scored the run it was about sticking with our strength. Leigh (Suhr) got a great jump at second base, she turned the corner and headed for home. We took care of some little things and did not cave when things went wrong."

On the decision to change pitchers in the fifth inning:
"Leigh Ann (Walker) threw a really nice game, but when they got runners on and they got to the part of their order where they had some power to lift the ball, we made the change to keep the ball in the dirt and make infield outs. In particular with the calls, we had been trying to work outside all day long. I thought Peaches had them set up beautifully and she delivered. That's the key is making the critical pitch at the critical time."

NEBRASKA SOPHOMORE PEACHES JAMES
On what was going through her head when she entered to pitch:
"Leigh Ann (Walker) threw a great, great game. I just wanted to go out and get the save for her because she deserved the win. I was just thinking about letting my defense work behind me. I was looking for ground balls, looking for the bunt and I knew my defense would work behind me."

On the two strike-three change-ups she threw:
"I don't know what the coaches are going to call, so in my mind I was thinking, `Whatever she calls, just go right at her. Don't tighten up.' When you tighten up, that's when the mistakes come. I just went right at them."

NEBRASKA SENIOR LEIGH SUHR
On scoring the run:
"I think a strong point for us is team speed. I was trying to get a good jump with the possibility to score on even an infield, base-hit type situation. With Cindy (Roethemeyer) at the plate, we're both pretty fast. I knew we could work as a tandem. Once I saw the ball hit the ground, I broke and I made a wider turn. I knew Rhonda (Revelle) was probably going to send me no matter what. Once I made the turn, I was going home."

MICHIGAN HEAD COACH CAROL HUTCHINS
General comment:
"Well, we came out here and didn't score but one run in two games. That's why we're going home. We were behind in the count the whole game. I think we need to swing our bats at the strikes. I thought we did a great job of laying off the non-strikes but we need to swing our bats more than we did. I thought Nicole (Motycka) did a great job. She did everything we could have asked her to do. We played great defense all ball game but (came up) on the short end. We're disappointed but I believe that my kids just had an outstanding year. Our seniors have been outstanding for us for four years."

On Nebraska's run:
"It was a great play and you know that they're sending that runner all the way. They're quick, they're very athletic, they run well, so I thought that we really did defend them well."

MICHIGAN SENIOR KELSEY KOLLEN
On Michigan's appearance at the Women's College World Series: "I think it's good for us to get here as a team. For the freshmen to come here as freshmen and get here is really important because we know we deserve to be here."

On Michigan's struggles at the plate:
"Today I think that we though a little bit too much. We tried to guess what she was throwing as opposed to just seeing it. I just think that we were trying to think too much."

MICHIGAN FRESHMAN NICOLE MOTYCKA
On here first appearance at the Women's College World Series: "I was really nervous. I'm not going to lie. I just wanted to do what I always do and that's keep the ball down and let my defense do the work. If we do that, we can keep them from scoring runs."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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