2021 WOMEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

June 4, 2021

Kaylee Tow

Alabama Crimson Tide

Postgame Press Conference

Alabama - 6, UCLA - 0

Q. Can you just describe the feeling in the emotion of being apart of a perfect game?

KAYLEE TOW: Well, if you know Montana, you know that that perfect game started back in August when she was working so hard and she was the first one to the field and the last one to leave. So just seeing it come full circle for her and her being able to see her hard work pay off, she's an awesome person and awesome friend and an awesome teammate and it couldn't happen to a better person. I feel just blessed to be here, blessed to be a part of this team, and blessed to play behind her.

Q. What was the feeling on the field when it became clear that what Montana was doing for y'all? Just describe how you all were feeling on the field?

KAYLEE TOW: I think I realized about the fifth inning that she was throwing a perfect game, but we all know the unwritten rule of never saying that they're throwing the perfect game. So, and I think we were just trying to be calm, cool, and collected, make the plays, to keep that for her and allow her to have that moment. So no one wanted to talk about it until the end, but of course we went crazy there at the end for her.

Q. Kaylee, you struck out on the changeup. Were you anticipating a changeup going into, later in the count?

KAYLEE TOW: Well, obviously I looked kind of silly on it and so I was thinking that they might try me with it again, but my dad was talking to me yesterday and he was, like, You know she's going to give you one over the plate, so if she does, hit it over the center field wall, and of course I didn't think I was going to hit it over the center field wall, but I was just looking for something really sweet and just trying to hit it hard.

Q. You have a difficult position in the batting order in batting behind Bailey Hemphill. What have you done to really embrace that role and be so successful?

KAYLEE TOW: I just see it as an opportunity. I know that I'm going to get a pitch and it's probably going to be in an opportunity where there's an RBI situation, so I'm grateful to be in that role and thankful that Murph's put me in that role, so just use it as an opportunity. But I don't put too much pressure on myself because I know that I'm going to come through in situations and I'm not going to come through in other situations. That's just part of the game. But it's not making the moment bigger than it is and just trying to have Bailey's back.

Q. Kaylee, you touched on it in that answer, but you obviously had the home run against Florida in 2019 at the World Series. How special is it to be able to hit one in this kind of environment at this point in the season for your team?

KAYLEE TOW: Well, it is special because we always want to win every single game and however you can help the team win is an awesome thing. I also love it because I feel like they make it a little bit more special here for your family when you hit a home run, and my family has followed me since I was a little girl. They have done absolutely everything to make my dreams come true. So I just get so excited when they get to have that moment in Oklahoma City because it kind of celebrates what they have done as well.

Q. You mentioned that this started for Montana back in August, but even over the last month or since the start of the SEC tournament she seems to have taken her game to a different level. Do you see anything as a teammate that explains kind of that surge over the last month?

KAYLEE TOW: Well, Montana's actually my best friend off the field, so I've just kind of seen this journey for her as she's grown into just an awesome pitcher and an awesome woman, but I think it's the confidence that she brings and the refusal to lose. You can see it in her eyes that she's not going to lose because she's so competitive. And her journey off the field, she's grown so much, she's grown into a confident woman, and you see that out on the mound. I'm so proud of her and I'm grateful that she allows me to be her friend.

Q. Your team is now back to the semi-finals since 2019. That's an amazing feeling. So for you guys, how does it feel that knowing that a year ago there wasn't any sports, but now to be here again and have another chance and in the semi-finals?

KAYLEE TOW: It's a blessing and we're so grateful. I couldn't be more excited that the seven seniors are getting to go to another semi-final, and this time we're coming through the winner's bracket, so it's a really good feeling and a good position, but we know that anybody that we're going to play is going to be tough. I'm just excited for these seniors to get to play another game and me to get to be their teammate for another day.