I guess it feels OK to say we hung with the No. 21 team in the country. But I feel if we would have brought our game, we could have beat that team.

245

Pitching is going to be a huge key for us. We have a lot of experience in the pitching circle which is a good thing to have with a young team, because at least we are going to have the pitchers to keep us in the game.

233

We are still very young on the team. We've had the chance to mold the team the way we want to, and so far the players have reacted in a very positive manner. They come to practice and want to work very hard every day.

181

It was a great feeling. The never-die attitude was huge and the team showed a lot of heart, which can take us even further than our talent. We are a talented ball club, but the heart we've showed on the field is only going to help us.

161

It's amazing how many people know what I mean when I say you get the Big Ten backpack. They haven't gotten their Big Ten backpacks, and that's what they want to get. It's something small and minute, but it symbolizes what you've been trying to do all year.

143

I think what got us done earlier in the season was more of the mental approach. That was something we were lacking in. Last weekend we were much better with our mental approach.

140

It's always great to see your team be unfazed by big scoring innings and be able to bounce back. It was good for our pitchers to know they could get support from the offense. That's something we haven't had in awhile.

126

I think with the veterans, they have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. They are able to vocalize the team, and they are good teachers of the game.

83

It gives them a taste of what's ahead. Had we played better defense, we could have done better in the first game. We have to make sure we are solid on our defense. We need to attack more with our defense.

70