SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT

May 25, 2021

Chaney Rogers

Hoover Metropolitan Stadium

Georgia Bulldogs

Postgame Press Conference

Georgia 4, LSU 1

THE MODERATOR: We've got Chaney Rogers now. Chaney, if you could just open it up with a statement, recap the game, and then we'll have questions for you.

CHANEY ROGERS: It was honestly a do-or-die game for us, and we came out ready to play. We came out first inning, punched them in the mouth, and the pitchers held them. It kind of got a little squirrelly there late, kind of got a little nervous, but they held them, and we got the "W." So it was a good game.

Q. I asked Jaden a second ago kind of what was the ride coming over from Athens to Hoover yesterday? Were you all pretty relaxed, a little antsy?

CHANEY ROGERS: It was kind of relaxed. Everybody had their headphones on. Not a lot of talking. I just sat in the back and didn't really say a word to anybody. Just kind of ready to get back on the field and get ready to play.

Q. I know I ask you guys all the time. Just what is it about this team? You all get down and bounce back up. You're a senior. You've seen it all since you've been here. What is it about this squad?

CHANEY ROGERS: We've just got leadership. We've got a bunch of old guys that want to be out there, and no matter what happens, we've got each other's back. I think that's one of the biggest parts of our team.

Q. It seems like ever since the Missouri series, you've really changed your -- I don't know if you changed your approach, but you've really been hitting the ball well. What's led you to really find success in the second half of this season and tonight with the three-run double?

CHANEY ROGERS: I kind of just caught fire in Missouri. I was talking to my coaches, and he was just like, hey, man, just let the ball get to you. You're trying to pull off the ball. He was like stay through it and go back side. My next at bat, line drive, RBI through the back side. And ever since then, I kind of felt comfortable in the box, just getting a pitch I wanted to hit and putting the swings on them. I don't know. It's just kind of turned around for me, honestly.

Q. Hey, Chaney, you mentioned how big this game was. Obviously, you all come out in the first inning and get down 1-0. What was said in the dugout after that first inning that led you all to -- like I said, you come back and get those four runs right there in the bottom of the first.

CHANEY ROGERS: I don't think anything was said, honestly. We've been there before. That was huge for Wags to be able to get out of that with one just run. I think it was loaded bases, no out. We were honestly just pumped to get out of the inning with just one run. We knew what we had to do and we loaded the bases up, and just got a good swing on the ball. Anything that can happen in baseball and it's pretty cool to see.

Q. You mentioned Luke. Just how impressed were you by him this season, making the biggest start this season?

CHANEY ROGERS: It was great to see. A young guy like that. I mean, you get loaded bases against LSU, no outs. They had a huge crowd and they were all yelling and screaming at him. For him to get a double play out there was huge for us. I honestly think it gave us a bunch of confidence rolling into the next inning.

Q. I wanted to ask about the dynamics of that situation. You got the vibe. LSU always packs it out for the SEC tournament, and they get a run on the board. Talk about the dynamics of that. How important -- you never know how a game's going to go, but how important was it to answer with runs right there? Who'd have ever known that would be the last time you score the rest of the game?

CHANEY ROGERS: It was huge. They could have had a double play right there, and I think, we would have even scored. We had zero runs. He didn't get the scoop, and honestly it just turned around for us. When we got that one run, I felt like everyone relaxed and kind of dug out. I know I relaxed in the on deck circle and got up there, put a good swing on the ball. Got a ball, he hung me one. The guy was a really good pitcher. You all saw after the first inning. I mean, he shoved on us. He punched out everybody. So it was just good to see.

Q. Just wondering what your thoughts are in playing Arkansas. You guys gave them a pretty tough series here in Fayetteville. Do you feel like a win like this when they hadn't played maybe gives you guys a little edge, a little momentum going into tomorrow?

CHANEY ROGERS: Yeah, it could. They'll have a little more rest. I like being able to play back-to-back days. I feel like seeing the pitches helps our lineup a little bit more. Arkansas is a really good team. We played them really well in Fayetteville. It was just an awesome series.

I don't think I've had that much fun playing baseball. It was just an awesome atmosphere. I hope they pack like that tomorrow.

Just keep playing them tough. We're just scrappy. I think that's one of the biggest things about us. We're not going to give up and just keep going.

Q. The fact they're No. 1 in the conference, does that add to the motivation? Obviously, that would be a huge win for you guys.

CHANEY ROGERS: Yeah, you always want to get the No. 1 team. When we were there, they were No. 1, and that was a big game for us. We wanted to win the series really bad. Kind of gave it up late on Sunday, but we get another shot at them, and I think it's going to be really fun.

Q. One more question. I'm assuming Liam is probably going to get the start tomorrow. Of course he went out that first game against Arkansas and really pitched pretty well. How much confidence do you think it's going to give him going against them a second time?

CHANEY ROGERS: I think it's going to give him an edge. He's been throwing awesome the last month or three weeks, and it's been a huge surprise, honestly. Like we needed it so bad. He stepped up huge for our team. It's honestly been awesome to see him go out and have the success he's had. I think he'll carry that into tomorrow.