Texas softball defeats Nebraska 3-1 at WCWS — Women's College World Series Press Conference

[0:14] All right, we'll go ahead and get started. [0:16] A reminder to please silence your cell phones if you're in the room. [0:19] Each time you get the mic to ask a question, [0:21] please give your name and media affiliation. [0:23] Recording of the press conference with cell phones or camera is prohibited. [0:27] We'll start out with an opening statement from Coach. [0:29] Go to questions just for the players. [0:31] Dismiss the players. [0:32] And then go to questions just for Coach. [0:34] We're joined by Texas head coach Mike White [0:36] and players JC Nichols, Tegan Kavon, and Katie Stewart. [0:40] So, Coach, if you have an opening statement, feel free. [0:41] Yeah. [0:43] Congratulations to Nebraska on their run through the season. [0:45] It doesn't seem like three months since we first played, [0:48] and who'd have thought those two pitches came out of a 15-10 ball game. [0:53] So the way they threw today was just amazing. [0:55] Spectacle of pitching from both teams. [0:59] Jordie Fram is a true warrior, really kind of took her team. [1:02] And, of course, I was just hoping the game wouldn't rest on just one hit, [1:07] one home run there to start the game because Tegan pitched a great game there. [1:11] They pitched really limited her pitches to 91 pitches, an average of 13 per inning, [1:16] which is what we shoot for. [1:17] And it was really efficient. [1:19] But, again, really hot out there today. [1:22] And so, you know, right now we're just happy to be on the right side of things [1:25] in a tough ball game. [1:27] Okay. [1:27] We'll open up questions. [1:28] Players on the right side, front row. [1:29] Brady. [1:30] Brady Vernon, Southall America. [1:32] Katie, obviously Jordie was dealing there for a while. [1:35] What adjustments were you trying to make in that last about it? [1:37] Maybe what you were kind of hunting in that about. [1:39] Yeah, just knowing how I got pitched in February. [1:42] It was kind of similar this time around. [1:44] And so just kind of baking on that and knowing that I was starting to see it well [1:48] leading up into that at-bat. [1:49] And so just trusting my process, my plan. [1:52] And so I think it all worked out in that at-bat. [1:55] Okay, we've got the left side, front row. [1:57] Thomas. [1:58] J.C., you got the first hit off Jordie. [2:00] Kind of like what Katie was saying. [2:01] What were you guys talking about in the dugout? [2:04] What did you learn about Jordie as the game went on? [2:07] I think, like Stewie said, I was getting pitched the same pitches through my first [2:12] at-bat, really just learning through, like, every pitch. [2:14] I mean, I'd seen almost every pitch that she'd thrown. [2:18] But, yeah, really just adjusting to her pitches and what she was throwing. [2:23] Okay, we go back to the right side, front row. [2:25] Brady. [2:27] Brady Vernon, Southall America. [2:28] Tegan, it seemed like some more drops today than compared to season average. [2:32] Why did you think that plan was going to work and how you kind of executed it? [2:35] Yeah, I think we learned a lot from last night's game that they played [2:38] and that to drop all was effective then. [2:40] And so we kind of used that going into today and knew that I had to get my drop [2:43] ball on. [2:44] And so, yeah, I try to work my defense with that and help me be more effective [2:48] and throw less pitches, being able to rely on that pitch. [2:51] Okay, we've got the left side, second row. [2:53] Tia Reid, Clarion, Ledger. [2:55] J.C. and Katie, obviously this win sets up a rematch with Tennessee. [2:58] How do you think having played both of their two main pitchers in that first game [3:02] will help you guys win in tomorrow? [3:03] Just knowing that we've got to make quicker adjustments [3:05] and knowing that we've seen them already, [3:07] but just still knowing that they're really good pitching staff [3:10] and that they're going to bring it. [3:11] And so just being ready for that. [3:13] And I think just going back, watching film, [3:15] looking how we got out and building off of that. [3:18] Like Stewie said, I mean, really just paying attention to what we've been pitched [3:21] and just making the adjustment in-game. [3:23] And just they really do have a good pitching staff credit to them, [3:26] but just making in-game adjustments. [3:28] Okay, we'll go to the left side again, front row, Thomas. [3:31] Thomas Jones, Austin, American Statesman. [3:33] J.C., it's a homecoming for you. [3:35] What's this week been like? [3:36] Do you have a lot of friends and family up here? [3:39] And how did you end up at Texas and not OU? [3:44] Honestly, it's been great being here, back in my home state. [3:47] But I don't know, I do have a bunch of family here watching. [3:52] But, you know, Texas was just home. [3:54] I really loved it. [3:55] But it is great being back here. [3:58] Okay, we're staying on the left side and the second row on the far side. [4:00] Jake. [4:01] Jake Trotter, ESPN. [4:02] Katie, what's the key to coming up with big hits and big moments in this setting? [4:08] Just trusting my process, [4:09] not making sure that my heart rate is getting too high, [4:12] but making sure I'm just staying present and not dwelling on the past. [4:16] I can get in my head sometimes, but I just know that at bat, [4:19] I just made sure to be present one pitch at a time, [4:22] knowing that I was going to get, like, something I could hit [4:25] and just knowing that I had to get on it and I got there. [4:27] And so I think having passed, being in those moments, being in those big games, [4:32] it really did help in that moment. [4:34] More questions for players? [4:36] Yeah. [4:37] We'll stay on the left side here with Thomas, front row. [4:41] Thomas Jones, Austin, American Statesman. [4:43] Tegan, what went through your head after that first at bat? [4:46] And then how did you kind of clear it? [4:49] And are you going to have any gas in the tank if needed for tomorrow, [4:53] considering the heat and everything? [4:55] Yeah, I always got gas in the tank for this team on this stage any day. [4:59] I want the ball. [5:00] So, of course. [5:01] And then I think I knew with that game probably wasn't going to be a shutout. [5:04] And so, honestly, I took the pressure off a little bit to get it out of the way [5:07] and just wanted to keep my team in it. [5:09] And keeping us in it meant no more runs after that. [5:12] And so, that was my goal, just to keep us in it no matter what it looked like. [5:15] But I thought, yeah, I thought it was an okay pitch that she hit. [5:18] And I knew that I wasn't going to get rid of that same one again. [5:20] And so, just adjusting off of that, like they're talking about in-game adjustments [5:24] on the pitching side too. [5:26] But kind of just shake it off. [5:28] A score is probably going to come at some point anyway. [5:30] And so, yeah, just relax after that. [5:33] Any more questions for players? [5:37] Players, you're dismissed. [5:38] Thank you. [5:47] Questions for Coach White? [5:48] Start here on the left, front row. [5:53] Thomas. [5:53] Thomas Jones, awesome American statesman. [5:56] Kind of like what I asked JC, how did you lure her from Oklahoma to Texas? [6:02] What have you noticed from her being home this week with friends, family? [6:07] Yeah. [6:08] Well, she played for the IPEC team at Oklahoma. [6:12] And we just liked the way she played, just the quickness. [6:15] I liked speed and I liked her ability to field and play. [6:17] And just took the opportunity to get her on campus. [6:22] And I really liked her demeanor, the way she carried herself. [6:27] And just fortunately she said yes to us. [6:30] It was great. [6:31] Okay, we go to the right side, front row. [6:33] Brady? [6:33] Brady Vernon, South Pole America. [6:35] The pitch Katie hit wasn't exactly a mistake. [6:38] How much does that just kind of talk about her growth as a hitter [6:41] and just how great the season she has so far? [6:44] Yeah, we knew we had to start hunting pitches because she was so good out there. [6:48] Just really mixing it up. [6:49] The ball was moving both ways and then had to change up as well. [6:52] That was throwing us off. [6:53] So you just got to really kind of take it opportunities there and sit on something. [6:58] And I think that's what she was able to do and got the barrel to it. [7:00] You always worry about those things going foul. [7:02] But once I saw the flight of it, it was like, that's going to stay fair. [7:05] And it takes a risk. [7:07] There's no reward by that risk. [7:10] And so she was able to take that risk and hit a good pitch. [7:12] And I'm sure Jordy wishes she had it back. [7:15] But we were able to – we probably – it's no coincidence that both those pitches [7:20] were rise balls that went out of the ballpark. [7:21] I mean, with that wind blowing, you always kind of worry about that. [7:24] And that played into playing a little more drop balls too. [7:27] Okay, we go to the left side on the second row on the aisle here. [7:30] Tia Reid, Claren, Ledger. [7:31] As I asked the players, you know, in this rematch with Tennessee, [7:35] you already faced both of their top two pitchers. [7:37] How does that help you going into tomorrow? [7:39] Not only with it just being you're playing Tennessee again, [7:41] but also on this one-day turnaround. [7:43] Well, it won't help us if they throw a newer at us. [7:45] So that's – they got another one out there as well that's pretty good. [7:48] We're not forgetting her as well. [7:50] And they have the luxury of us having to beat them twice. [7:53] But, you know, these pitchers are so good now, [7:56] they're able to kind of study what we did and what they did. [7:59] And it becomes that cat and mouse game of strategy. [8:02] And that's what we love about the game is all the strategy [8:04] and the kind of pitching nuances of the game. [8:08] So it's going to be a fun matchup. [8:11] Can we go to the right side in the second row? [8:13] Justin Fromer, Omaha World Herald. [8:14] Mike, you mentioned Jordy. [8:15] With her career coming to an end, [8:17] what do you feel like her impact just on the sport has been over these last five years? [8:21] Well, I love hitting pitchers. [8:23] You know, I think it's something – and that came from my men's day. [8:26] I used to get DP'd for and I hated it. [8:28] It's like you're taking away the part of the game that you really love. [8:31] So I think that she really wanted to do that and come back to Nebraska. [8:34] And she showed all those young girls in Nebraska that you can do this, [8:37] play on the big stage. [8:38] And what a great thing that would have meant [8:40] if she could have won two world titles with two different clubs. [8:43] And, you know, she spearheaded that team all the way through the last couple of years [8:46] and then coming off another injury as well. [8:48] Just a role model for young players, you know, [8:51] that you don't have to be the biggest kid in the world to be able to be really effective [8:55] and have power at the bat and also with pitching. [8:57] And then just the determination and courage. [9:00] That's just tremendous. [9:02] Okay, we go to the left side now, front row. [9:04] Thomas. [9:05] Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman. [9:07] Tegan's been your workhorse. [9:08] You have to go again tomorrow early in the heat. [9:11] How much gas do you think she has? [9:13] What do you want to see from her tomorrow? [9:15] And what do you need from your other pitchers tomorrow? [9:18] Well, we need to fill her up some high octanes. [9:20] So we'll figure on that. [9:21] But we'll see how she's feeling in the morning. [9:23] And it's going to be a strategy. [9:25] The strategy is do you go for it all in one of the first game [9:27] and then worry about what happens the second game? [9:29] Or do you try something different? [9:31] So that's going to be what I'll be sleeping on tonight [9:33] and talking about my coaching staff and figuring out what plan we're going to take. [9:37] But you don't get to the second game unless you win the first game. [9:40] It's kept an obvious right there, but it is what it is. [9:44] But we feel really confident right now that we can hit in those situations. [9:50] Jordy made us look really kind of average there for a little bit. [9:54] But the confidence was flowing that we could kind of get to her. [9:57] Hopefully we've seen the two main pitchers. [9:59] They have nearer as well. [10:01] But hopefully we can continue where we left off. [10:04] Okay, we'll stay on the left side in the second row. [10:06] Jake? [10:07] You mentioned Maggertine being able to hit. [10:09] What makes Katie so prolific in having these moments that she stacks up? [10:16] How does that help her for you guys going forward? [10:18] It's just her strength. [10:19] She's strong as an ox. [10:21] Her exit velocity is really, really high. [10:24] So when she makes contact, she doesn't need much of it. [10:26] I think she even got that up the handle just a little bit. [10:28] I'm not sure she got all of it. [10:30] But some of her home runs are prodigious. [10:32] If you look at the building across the street, [10:34] there's some damage on that thing at our home field. [10:36] But, you know, she's just grown as a leader and as a hitter. [10:41] She's really taken it on to herself to take more of the shoulder of the load. [10:45] Especially when, you know, it was kind of fun watching her and Reese going to start the season. [10:49] And then Reese cooled off a little bit, but Katie didn't. [10:51] She kept it going and set her team record for home runs for us. [10:54] We're 27, now 28. [10:55] So, in climbing, hopefully. [10:58] Any more questions for Coach White? [11:01] All right, thank you. [11:02] Great, thank you. [11:02] Thank you.