2004 Women's College World Series Press Conference

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- With the 2004 Women's College World Series set to get underway in Oklahoma City Thursday, press conferences were held on Wednesday giving the media a chance to speak with the players and coaches from the eight participating teams.

The first game on Thursday will begin at 11 a.m. (CDT) featuring No. 6 seed Michigan and No. 3 seed LSU at Hall of Fame Stadium.

The 2004 Women's College World Series will once again be hosted by the University of Oklahoma at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City May 27-31. Every game of the championship event will be broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2.

2004 Women's College World Series Central

California Head Coach Diane Ninemire
General comment:
“We're glad to be back again for our sixth consecutive trip. We tell our players that this is where memories and dreams are made. We're looking forward to this week and I congratulate all my colleagues that are here. It's going to be a great week for a lot of these teams and we're ready to play well and have a pleasant visit here. I want to thank Oklahoma for hosting this tournament; we are really looking forward to it.”

On playing Oklahoma in Oklahoma City:
“Coming from Nebraska where everything is, Go Big Red,' I felt like those fans really help you get prepared for this moment being here in this stadium. I remember playing Oklahoma last year in front of all their fans. It was exciting and exhilarating. It's a place you want to play in because it's a great place.”

California Sophomore Kristina Thorson
On playing against Washington:
“I grew up watching the Huskies and I can remember going to the Washington program and thinking, Someday I'm going to play on that field either as a Husky or for another great team.' I went out to lunch with the coaches and we just decided it wasn't a good fit all the way around. When I go back there now, it's a homecoming, I love it.”

Florida State Head Coach JoAnne Graf
General comment:
“This is one of the goals all teams have to finish the season at Oklahoma City and we are really pleased to accomplish that goal coming out of a tough regional. This field is very competitive and very equal. It's going to be an awesome World Series.”

On possibly playing Oklahoma in Oklahoma City:
“Oklahoma earned their way here just like the rest of us. You have to credit the program Patty (Gasso) has built at OU. If we get to play Oklahoma we know the crowd would be in their favor, but that's expected. The people in Oklahoma City have always treated us well and it's really fun to be here, but we know the crowd will be in OU's favor.”

LSU Head Coach Yvette Girouard
General comment:
“I'm very happy for our players because this is a team that truly deserves to be at the College World Series. They overcame a lot of adversity. Best team chemistry I've ever had in these young women and I'm just happy for them to experience the College World Series.”

On LSU's rotation of pitchers:
“I think it dictates what happens to us in the bracket and I would like to get Emily Turner some College World Series experience, but I can't promise it.”

Michigan Head Coach Carol Hutchins
General comment:
“We're excited to be back and we're excited about our opportunity. I think the most important thing is we're not just happy to be here, we're very excited about our opportunity.”

On third base being a difficult and dangerous position:
“I think it's the most difficult position to play on the infield because of the short game and the big hitters in the game today. You've got to have a kid who really has to learn to play that position, because even if they played it in the youth league, it's a whole different game at this level.”

On the team's rotation of pitchers:
“I'm certain you'll see both my pitchers in this World Series.”

Oklahoma Head Coach Patty Gasso
General comment:
“We know we don't have the record of a No. 1 seed. We had a very tough regional like everyone else, where we went in as underdogs. I felt this team always had the makeup of a top team but, due to injuries or other adversities, we were never able to show that in terms of wins and losses during the season. Everybody stepped up in the lineup and got hot at the right time. We had a pitcher that was hot. Some people may think we played our national championship down in Arizona, but we think differently. We are excited about how well we're playing right now and we're excited to go to work against the other great teams that are here.”

On playing Washington for the second consecutive WCWS:
“We always seem to have great battles with Washington. I see the Huskies and OU as being very similar. The two teams are geared around their top pitchers. Both teams' catchers have good power and strong arms behind the plate. Both teams play good defense and have good speed. I see this as a really great matchup. We played earlier this year and went extra innings and I expect another closely fought game.”

Oklahoma Junior Kami Keiter
On the Women's College World Series:
“I don't see ourselves as being underdogs even though some feel that way. We are going out there viewing every team as the best team in the country. We just played the No. 1 team in the nation and gave ourselves the confidence that we can beat anyone. I think we are excited to be here again and that we are going to play with that excitement. ”

Stanford Head Coach John Rittman
General comment:
“It's definitely exciting to be back at the College World Series and we're looking forward to a great weekend of competition. We're very proud of our team. They've been through a lot this year, had some injuries. We're just excited to be back and looking forward to some good competition.”

On UCLA's rotation of pitchers:
“We have a pitching staff, so you're going to most likely see both of our pitchers. But if it dictates that we just go with one, we'll go with one. But if we need to use two or three we'll do that. If the situation arises, we'll just have to, as a coaching staff, do what's best at the time.”

Washington Co-Head Coach Scott Centala
General comment:
“We are excited to represent our sport. We're glad to be back here back-to-back years after being here four or five years straight. We have a small club this year, but an exciting club. They are a lot of fun to watch. There's a lot of talent that is not here in this World Series. Our regional was very tough with Georgia, Michigan State and Georgia Tech. To pull through a regional like that and beat the type of talent that is not here is a testament to what is here right now. Our sport is getting better and better and we're excited to be here right now to not only represent the University of Washington, but the sport of softball.”

On playing Oklahoma in Oklahoma City:
“I think this is what college sports are all about. It could be leverage, it could be emotion, it could be intensity. It's kind of how you channel it and whether it affects you. High-channel athletes tune it out once the first pitch is thrown. Oklahoma has a great program, a great city and a great facility and I think it can only be a positive for our sport.”

Washington Co-Head Coach Steve Dailey
General comment:
“It's great to be back in Oklahoma City. I know for Scott (Centala) and I you've got a Midwest City boy and an Oklahoma State grad here, so we're somewhat locals, if you will, coming back here to the city. This is the ultimate goal. We got here last year and didn't go as far as we would have liked, so we would like to go farther this year and that is our goal.”

On the team's ability to focus this season:
“What it all boils down to is, what do they want from their season?' Have their goals changed? I think once the girls came to terms with the fact that it was the same core unit and that they had desires just like they had in years past. Once they came to terms with that, it was just a matter of taking the first step and moving on. You go to the University of Washington with the expectation that you will end up here every year. They all want to win the national title.”

UCLA Head Coach Sus Enquist
General comment:
“I think the World Series is such a great showcase and for us to be able to be a part of it is something we truly appreciate, knowing that the journey here each year gets more difficult. I think that's a sign on how the game of softball is improving and I think the fans are going to really see a wonderful showcase of talent and experience.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

2004 Women's College World Series Press Conference

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