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Princeton University Athletics
Baseball Completes Final Work-Out Before Meeting Auburn
May 29, 2003 | Baseball
May 29, 2003
Auburn, Ala. - The Princeton baseball team got in it's final work-out before opening the 2003 NCAA Baseball tournament tomorrow night at Auburn. Following the practice, head coach Scott Bradley and pitchers Ryan Quillian and Thomas Pauly, sat down with the local press to preview the regional.
Complete audio of the press conference is available at the official regional site.
Below are excerpts from the press conference.
Quoting Princeton Head Coach Scott Bradley
"We're just thrilled to be here. In the Ivy League, it's an interesting road that we have to get here. That road ended three weeks ago. We have had a gap in our schedule. The guys have spent the last three weeks taking exams. Most of the players on our team have been in a regional before. We're really excited because I think we have a real nice mix of experience, youth and athleticism that we've never really brought to a regional before."
On Ryan Quillian and Thomas Pauly...
"Ryan will start for us (Friday against Auburn). He's been a 4-year starter for us. He's experienced pitching against good teams. Hopefully, we'll be able to have an opportunity to put Thomas (Pauly) into the game tomorrow. We use him as a closer. We have used him as a starter, though, the last couple of weekends. We are not afraid to use him as a starter here and put him on the mound and let him go as far as he can."
On Princeton's schedule...
"We played our first 17 games on the road, and 16 of those were against southern schools. Twelve of those 16 games were against teams that, if they weren't in the top 20, they were pretty darn close to being there. We sort of have a philosophy that we don't care what our overall record is. We have what we call "spring training" where we play at other conference's teams and play in their backyards so that, if and when we ever have an opportunity to come to this type of event, I feel as though we will be handle everything pretty well."
On playing with Steve Renfroe (Auburn Head Coach)...
"You know, it's not as weird coaching against (former teammate and Auburn head coach) Steve (Renfroe) as it is coaching against his team that has two former teammates of mine as fathers (in Tug Hulett and Sean Gamble). Now I really feel old. Steve had a lot of nagging injuries, but I could tell in that one year of playing with him that he was a class act he is. Even at that point, he always talked about staying in the game with coaching. I was thrilled when I found out that Steve was given the job when Hal Baird retired. Having the opportunity of coming down here and playing against one of his teams makes this that much more special."
Quoting Princeton Pitcher Ryan Quillian
"I am from Atlanta, Georgia and I am excited about coming come and playing in front of a lot of my family and friends. I played with some of the guy that has played here at Auburn in the Cod League. I am just excited about playing under the lights in such a good baseball environment."
On returning to the South...
"There is no better way for me to end my career than back in the South. I am looking forward to playing in front of my family and friends. I am just happy to be able to do what I love in front of people I love."
On Plainsman Park...
"I have never seen a game in Plainsman Park. I visited it when I came to a Georgia game one time. I just look forward to playing in it this weekend."
Quoting Princeton Pitcher Thomas Pauly
"I am excited about being able to play in such a good baseball environment. I am excited that my coach has given me the chance to play. Getting to play baseball in this stadium is going to be a good experience for me."
On motivation to play...
"I don't think that we have anything to prove. We want to show that we are not just a bunch of smart kids. We want them to know that we can play with them just as good as anyone."
On balancing athletics and academics...
"It is a challenge sometimes to do both. I am a chemical engineering major, and it keeps me really busy between the two. I like to go play baseball because it is a nice break for me away from school. It is tough sometimes, but I really like the way that it challenges me by doing both."