May 30, 2002 Sam Piraro, San Jose State Head Coach
"This (regional) is good for our players in the fact we have a lot of local players, whose families could take part of. It's also going to be a great experience for our players." (On the regional) "We play where they send us. Those things you can't control. It's going to be quite a competition." (On pitching) "Our staff is very resilant. It's a 'no ego' staff, meaning there is no 'Friday Guy' or guy who's going to be held back to pitch in relief. I've been real fortunate with the guys I have. When you get to regional play, you have to have guys who are willing to volunteer on short duty. We've had six guys who throw extremely well for us." "I'm very aware of Long Beach State and how much of a tenasious club they are. There are a lot of similarities between our club and there's. In the stats, how we both play hard nose, playing to 90-feet, we're similar in the way we play." "I don't think we can be considered underdogs anymore. All of the teams here have a great deal of tradition. This group now has made a name for San Jose State over the last few years." Mike Weathers, Long Beach State Head Coach
"We're happy to be here and to be back at Stanford. There's no question that this is the toughest regional. We were anxious to host, but we didn't get it, so the next best thing is for us to come here. We're pretty familar with the place and it's going to be a real challenge. We know what we are up against and that goes along with how we have scheduled all year." (On Eisentrager starting opener and on pitching staff) "I think it's a better matchup. Pitching has been our strength all year. We had injuries to start, but it gave our young guys a lot of opportunities and they stepped up. Our bullpen has been our strength. Our starters have traditionally been able to go six innings and then we turn it over to the bullpen. We have six deep in our pen" "I learned from Coach Snow, in all the years we went to the playoffs, to build a deep and quality staff that is 10 to 12 pitchers deep. We have a deep and quality staff." (Taking over for Dave Snow) "It was a really easy transistion. Dave and I grew up together in junior college ball and being his assistant for nine years made me a better coach. I know what it takes to be a Dirtbag and get us to Omaha." (Importance of freshman Brad Davis catching) "With all the injuries, we had to move Todd Jennings to third and Brad behind the plate. We knew coming in that he had gotten good coaching at Capistrano Valley High where they won two CIF titles. We knew his transition was going to be tough. If you look at the stats, he doesn't have a lot of RBIs, but they are key ones. He got better and better as the year went on. He was a little hesitant at first to go out and talk to our pitchers, who were a little older. But once he got it into his mind that he belonged he started going out there. Without Brad we wouldn't be here. We were very lucky he didn't go down" (on regionalized West Coast field) "Everyone felt sorry for us, but Mark Marquess (Stanford's Coach) has all of us rolling in. All are excellent programs. USC, Stanford, Long Beach State and CS Fullerton, those are all teams who played in the College World Series in the 90's. Including USC and CS Northridge in the other bracket, only one of us is going back there. I just wish we could have had a chance for more of us to get back there." Abe Alvarez, Long Beach State Lefty and BWC Pitcher of the Year
(Facing Fullerton from first start to next, losing then winning) "There really was no difference. With every game with Fullerton you get pumped up. I had the same game plan, but the second time around I was able to execute better. (What's a Dirtbag?) "It's playing hard nose baseball everyday. It's not just physical it's 100% mental. It's about getting dirty on the ballfield." Jeremy Reed, Long Beach State Outfielder and First Team All-BWC Pick
(About slow start and coming on late) "I just got myself into that position, myself. I wasn't doing anything differently. I was always prepared to go everyday. I feel in the same position now and am just as comfortable." (What's a Dirtbag?) "It's putting forth 110% effort. It's putting taking pride in putting on the uniform each time. I love my teammates and love being a team. We're a unit. It's about getting dirty and being together." | 
