UCLA’s John Savage Reacts to Difficult Loss Against LSU

LSU is now 2-0 in this year’s College World Series. The game started on Monday but was delayed by rain and resumed play on Tuesday. After the game, UCLA coach John Savage talked about his team’s performance. He said, “Just seemed like we were swimming upstream a little bit most of the game. Continuation game. We put up three and then they put up four. Then they come out and do a good job with two outs in the fourth, and they got two there. And it seemed like we were just trailing a little bit from the mound, mostly.

But hard fought, right? We stayed in the ball game. We got to Williams. Did a good job, gave us a chance at the end of the game. But we just really couldn't contain them enough, really, at the end of the day.

It was kind of a long couple of days, really. But at the same time you've got to expect anything at the World Series, and you've got to deal with anything at the World Series.

It affected both teams the same way. It didn't affect us any more, or anything like that. It's baseball. At the end of the day, we need to recover and rebound and have an opportunity tonight to get back at it.”

Savage also spoke about facing veteran teams like LSU and Arkansas. He said, “Well, it's a good question. You're playing really good teams. There are some teams that have a little more youth. There are some teams that have a little more experience. There's teams that have more age.

You have to deal with it all, really. It's not bad or good or indifferent really if you're either/or. But at the same time, I think they showed their experience today and last night.

We had some opportunities, but at the end of the day I just thought they were the better team today. So we've got to regroup and focus on Arkansas now.”