CWS Notes: Anderson upbeat, even after loss to Florida
Since the preseason, Nebraska coach Mike Anderson has preached the importance of remaining in the moment and taking the season one step at a time. It's an attitude that should help the Huskers in the wake of Sunday's 7-4 loss to Florida. In fact, Anderson said Monday, the team's attitude remains extremely positive.
"Here we are in the College World Series — we have nothing to be down about. We'll try to get a win, and see where that takes us. We've done it all year long — we've taken it one day at a time. This team is energetic. It has a lot of life to it. I guarantee you're going to get a great effort and a great performance out of our kids (today) ... In the game of baseball, you're going to have some tough losses. You're going to have some losses that sting a little bit. The only way to get over a loss in baseball is to just get over it. It's that simple."
BATTLING DEVILS: Arizona State is 3-0 in elimination games in the last 10 days, having battled back from a 1-0 series deficit in the best-of-three NCAA Super Regional against Cal State Fullerton before beating Tennessee 4-2 in a CWS elimination game Sunday. Anderson said the Sun Devils (40-24) have "good, scrappy hitters. They play the game the right way. They play it hard. They play it free and easy. It's very similar to what we do."
IN-STATE SUCCESS: Anderson, who has 13 in-state players on his CWS roster, tipped his cap Monday to the state's high school coaches. "There's a lot of good youth baseball and good high school coaches," Anderson said. "We only have (37) high school programs in the state, and those coaches we know pretty darn well. They're good coaches, and they're trying to be better coaches all of the time. Our program, as well as the high school programs, mix and match really well."
WELCOME HOME: It was senior Daniel Bruce's turn to return to his high school Monday. After practicing Saturday at Millard South — junior pitcher Brian Duensing's alma mater — Nebraska worked out Monday at Millard West, Bruce's alma mater. The senior outfielder, 3-for-5 in the CWS thus far, was besieged by kids seeking autographs after the practice. "It's always good to come back and say ‘Hi' to everybody," Bruce said between signatures. "Coach (Frank) Ryan does a great job here. To see his players moving on (to college programs), that's a big tribute to him and what he's done for all of us."
"Here we are in the College World Series — we have nothing to be down about. We'll try to get a win, and see where that takes us. We've done it all year long — we've taken it one day at a time. This team is energetic. It has a lot of life to it. I guarantee you're going to get a great effort and a great performance out of our kids (today) ... In the game of baseball, you're going to have some tough losses. You're going to have some losses that sting a little bit. The only way to get over a loss in baseball is to just get over it. It's that simple."
BATTLING DEVILS: Arizona State is 3-0 in elimination games in the last 10 days, having battled back from a 1-0 series deficit in the best-of-three NCAA Super Regional against Cal State Fullerton before beating Tennessee 4-2 in a CWS elimination game Sunday. Anderson said the Sun Devils (40-24) have "good, scrappy hitters. They play the game the right way. They play it hard. They play it free and easy. It's very similar to what we do."
IN-STATE SUCCESS: Anderson, who has 13 in-state players on his CWS roster, tipped his cap Monday to the state's high school coaches. "There's a lot of good youth baseball and good high school coaches," Anderson said. "We only have (37) high school programs in the state, and those coaches we know pretty darn well. They're good coaches, and they're trying to be better coaches all of the time. Our program, as well as the high school programs, mix and match really well."
WELCOME HOME: It was senior Daniel Bruce's turn to return to his high school Monday. After practicing Saturday at Millard South — junior pitcher Brian Duensing's alma mater — Nebraska worked out Monday at Millard West, Bruce's alma mater. The senior outfielder, 3-for-5 in the CWS thus far, was besieged by kids seeking autographs after the practice. "It's always good to come back and say ‘Hi' to everybody," Bruce said between signatures. "Coach (Frank) Ryan does a great job here. To see his players moving on (to college programs), that's a big tribute to him and what he's done for all of us."
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