University of Oklahoma Athletics

NCAA Softball Regional Media Day: Ole Miss

Ole Miss Head Coach Mike Smith

Opening statement:
“We’re very lucky, very fortunate to be here in Norman and to be able to participate in our first NCAA Regional. We’ve already had a gracious host in Oklahoma. The university has done an outstanding job, a great field. We’re looking forward to this historic event for the University of Mississippi. I have two tremendous individuals sitting next to me- Hailey Lunderman, our freshman shortstop, and Madi Osias, our senior pitcher. Both of them have had outstanding years. I can kind of say it right now, congratulations Hailey you were named, I think, Second-Team All Region and Madi was named Third-Team All Region.”

On what it is like for him with it being the first time getting here:
“My excitement, I think, is a lot like theirs because we all get to experience our firsts together. I think that is what makes this team so special. It is my first time here, I’ve been close a couple of times, but to be able to experience this first trip here is something that I’ll always remember. I’ll always remember this team. I think Madi (Osias) said it best that it’s not about just being here because we’re here to win. We know that we have a great task at hand with Oklahoma, Tulsa and Wichita State, great programs. We’re fortunate that we’re one of the final 64, the best 64 teams in the country, and we’re just excited about being a part of this event. We’re looking forward to getting on the uniforms, having the umpire say play ball, and getting the first pitch going.”

On the challenges going into a Regional against teams you’ve never seen:
“The good thing is that they don’t know us. They haven’t seen us hit, only on video. I think for a lot of the Big 5 conferences a lot of the smaller schools have an advantage because they get to see so many games. We’ve done our part, watched a lot of video, but I think that it’s going to be just what our preparation is, our attempt to go in there and be able to play one pitch at a time. Madi (Osias) going in and being able to pitch one pitch at a time and Hailey (Lunderman) going up to take her swings and taking that one pitch at a time. I think it is part of that process. Again we’re just happy and fortunate that we have an opportunity to be here and excited. I’m excited about being able to represent one of the 11 teams from the SEC.”

Senior Pitcher Madi Osias

On what it feels like now that they are finally here:
“I just think it is really rewarding to be able to finally be here. We’ve talked about it all year and that’s really been our goal to get to Regionals. To finally be here is really an awesome experience and I’m really excited, but I don’t think it stops there and I don’t think that we’re going to settle with just being here. We want to come in here and win ball games. We’re excited but we’re definitely here to win games.”

On the challenges going into a Regional against teams you’ve never seen:
“I just think that it really comes down to our conference that we played in and we play in an incredible conference, a really great conference. It’s prepared us up to this point. We’ve played top-25 teams all year long, and I think that it’s going to be about our team playing our game: focusing each pitch and staying in the moment, not getting too outside of what we do as a team, and just really focusing on playing together and playing as a unit.”

Freshman shortstop Hailey Lunderman

On what it feels like now that they are finally here:
“I’m really excited just knowing how the program was and just to come in as a freshman and be able to play shortstop for these players that were here before. I’m really excited about all of this especially for the seniors that were in the program before that wanted to get here.”

On the challenges going into a Regional against teams you’ve never seen:
“I think we just need to play our game and do the things that we did, the little things, and come out ready to play. Every pitch, every at-bat, just do the little things and don’t worry about anything else.”

On what it’s been like as a freshman leading this group and having success:
“It’s been exciting. I don’t really try to worry about the rewards. I just try to go out and play and the rewards will come if they come.”