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Princeton University Athletics
Baseball Team Practices and Meets the Media at Fayetteville Regional
June 01, 2006 | Baseball
June 1, 2006
Practice and Media Day Photo Gallery
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - It only rained for two hours on Thursday in Fayettville, but that rain fell just as Princeton's practice was scheduled to begin. The rain forced the Tigers indoors for batting practice as Princeton took in Baum Stadium. Several Tigers also met with the local media.
Here is the transcript from Thursday night's press conference:
Princeton head coach Scott Bradley:
"We're thrilled to be here. Very few teams with 19 wins and a losing record get the opportunity to be here.
"We've known we were going to be here for over a month with a three-to-four week layoff with kids finishing with finals. We feel that the NCAA pushing back the tourney has helped our kids concentrate more on baseball since they finished last Saturday.
"It's nice for kids to get away from the academics and exams, as it's been difficult in the past with exams not being done when baseball season is still going."
Oklahoma State head coach Frank Anderson:
"We know this is a tough field. The field is just outstanding. We're excited about being here and about playing at Baum Stadium, which is the best on-campus facility in the country.
"I was real disappointed (about not hosting a regional). We played so well at home. For us, playing at home would have been a big thing. We're excited about being the No. 1 seed. Once you start playing, I'm not sure your seed really matters.
"Early in the season, we were out of games before they really got started. Then, in the second game at Missouri, we threw a shutout and threw two more shutouts after that. That's really when we turned it around."
Oral Roberts head coach Rob Walton:
"Arkansas has an amazing campus and facilities. It's been a long journey to get in and it's a relief to be here, and we're very blessed to be in the tournament.
"We started out struggling early in the year and we moved some guys on the mound (the rotation) and that has really helped us.
"Nick Schmidt is throwing better than anyone in the country. Nick Jones for us can be very special when he's healthy. I believe we could run into a pitchers duel."
Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn:
"There's some very good teams and programs not playing anymore. So, we feel very fortunate to host. We've been through a lot and have really persevered through a lot of adversity in the middle of the season. We're excited to keep playing and especially to play in front of our fans.
"Nick (Schmidt) has been our go-to-guy since he walked on campus. From about a month into the season last year, we knew we had something special, and he has continued to get better.
"It's been one of those years where we've played lots of close games. I don't think (playing in a close game) will bother us. We have a lot of experience playing in close games.
"The fans here have really taken to us. We've had good teams, ballpark renovations and changing the Astroturf to natural grass was a big thing."