Corvallis: Info and Quotes
By Casey Grogan - June 10, 2007
Not one runner for either team reached base until the bottom of the fourth when Michigan lead-off hitter Jason Christian rapped a base hit before OSU starter Jorge Reyes sat down the next three Wolverines he faced. On the other side of things, Michigan starter Zach Putnam had a perfect game going until surrendering a walk to Scott Santschi in the top of the sixth. He did however keep his no hitter until the ninth. In as much of a pitchers duel as you get in college baseball, Putnam began the ninth having already thrown 111 pitches. He began the inning walking Santschi for the second time in the game. OSU coach Pat Casey went with the quick and aggressive Braden Wells as a pinch runner and had Lonnie Lechelt bunt him to second. Lead-off batter Chris Hopkins went down on strikes before freshman Joey Wong hit a hard ground ball through the infield scoring Wells from second.
Below are quotes from the press conference's. Michigan, coach Rich Maloney and starting pitcher Zach Putnam. Oregon State, coach Pat Casey, second baseman Joey Wong, starting pitcher Jorge Reyes and pinch runner Braden Wells.
Rich Maloney, Michigan head coach-
This was a great college baseball game and we have played in a few in the last couple weeks. Zach threw his heart out and both teams played a great game. No miscues a solid pitched game by both pitchers. Zach threw his best game ever and on national television. You have to give a lot of credit to OSU and their pitching.
In an ideal world I would like to take him out but he was throwing a no hitter. He was pretty dominant and honestly the balls were not hit very hard. There is no way coach to take him out. He wouldn't have come out if I tried. If you are going to go down you go down with your best. Oregon State found a hole, you have to give a lot of credit to Wong. I would do it again in 100 beats guy was throwing a no hitter.
Zach is our big time player. He wanted to take Michigan back to Omaha, so it is my job to do what I can to help him help this team. He ain't comin' out of the line-up though that is for sure.
Zach Putnam-
It is hard to swallow. I give those guys a lot of credit for staying in the game, going into the ninth with no hits and staying in there. I made a mistake and he capitalized on it. This is probably my favorite moment at Michigan so far.
He was all around very good. He was throwing in the 90's but when you aren't seeing it the whole way it looks like 98.
My arm was dead but he is not taking me out when I am throwing a no-no so it's all good.
Pat Casey, OSU head coach-
This time of year you try and win baseball games. That was a tremendous pitching duel between Zach and Jorge. It makes you feel good when you are starting a Super Regional with a freshman at second base and one on the mound.
Joey Wong-
I just happened to be the guy at the dish. You have to thank God for that one too. You have to take it the opposite way no matter what the pitch was. Putnam was around the zone all day. When he got in positive counts he got us with the splitty.
Braden Wells-
With Joey up at the plate and two outs I was trying to get the best jump possible. At the crack of the bat I was thinking, here we go, and coach Lees was waving me all the way. I am pretty sure his arms were going before Joey even hit the ball. There was no one stopping me I was getting to the plate with out him taking me no matter what.
Jorge Reyes-
I just felt like fastball, fastball, fastball. I really want to go out there because I like going out there pitching wand was really pumped up. Coach Casey thinks that no one likes to lose more than him but I think he is wrong, if that guys is going to go out there and think he is going to get the win then he has another thing coming.
Posted by Casey Grogan at 08:04 PM on June 10, 2007
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