The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Discuss C-USA Championship With The Media
5/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 19, 2008
The Blazers will hold one last practice before taking on the Owls on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium.
UAB head coach Brian Shoop and several Blazers discussed the upcoming championship with several members of the
Media Day Quotes
Head Coach Brian Shoop
On UAB making the conference tournament:
"I'm just proud of so many things about our kids and our team - the way we finished on the field and earned the right to go to the Conference USA Tournament."
On Rice:
"It's unbelievable what they have done. What is it thirteen straight conference championships? To go 21-3 again in our league is amazing. They have to be one of the top five teams in the country. They just have that winning experience and with that comes a winning expectations."
On the team's goal for the tournament:
"I quit setting arbitrary goals for on the field performance. We have made steps in the right direction again. I'm very proud of what the team has accomplished. If we go two and out it won't change a thing. If we go and win some games down there it won't change either. We are going to play the best games we can until we are out."
On the tournament experience:
"It's more like a bowl game. It's a reward for earning the right to be there. I'm happy for our seniors that they get that opportunity."
On first baseman Ryan Keedy's chances to earn C-USA Player of the Year honors:
"A lot of time the eighth place team doesn't get player of the year but he should. He's had an amazing year in every way. He had unbelievable numbers on the field and is a leader off the field. He's a phenomenal kid in every way. He's had one the best years that I've ever been a part of."
Cody McMurry, Jr., Center fielder
"I think we are playing really well. We did what we had to do. We needed a win to not count on
On Ryan Keedy:
"He's been the heart and soul of this team all year. He's carried us through the bad and the good. Without him I don't think we'd be where we are at right now."
Ryan Keedy, Sr., First baseman
On the team:
"We are definitely going to look to build off the two big wins we had this weekend against a great team (Southern Miss) and hopefully carry some of that momentum to the tournament this week."
On his season:
"I'm a little surprised. For myself I expected to do well but yeah surprised is a good word."
Phil Bell, Sr., Left fielder
On playing Rice:
"It's always a great opportunity to play against one of the best teams in the country. We were pretty strong against them last time when we played at their place. Hopefully on a neutral site we can upset them first round."
On going to the C-USA Championship:
"It's great to make the tournament of course even not being a senior. But being a senior it means a little more. It's something I wanted to do. If we can put together a couple of wins it would mean a lot more."
