2021 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

June 20, 2021

Ty Madden

Texas Longhorns

Postgame Press Conference

Mississippi State - 2, Texas - 1

Q. You guys know what you need to do going forward. How do you guys accomplish that and stay alive here in Omaha and how frustrating was the game's result?

TY MADDEN: I mean, I think everybody knows it was frustrating. But on to the next day. And just take things one day at a time and one pitch at a time. And I still believe in this team. And I think everybody here does. We're not done yet.

Q. Was there anything difficult about Bednar's pitching that you guys were unable to track or see the ball? Or was there something wrong with your plate discipline tonight?

TY MADDEN: I mean, I don't know. I wasn't in the box. I'm sure the hitters -- it's got some good life on it. But we'll have to see what they have to say.

Q. I'm curious what you saw from the dugout, though, as a pitcher, though.

TY MADDEN: I don't really pay that much attention to what the other team's doing. I really just focus on myself and how I want to attack the hitters the next inning. And don't really -- don't really pay too much attention on what's going on the field while I'm pitching. I'm kind of in my own world in the dugout and creating a game plan for the next inning.

Q. Do you feel like you had command tonight?

TY MADDEN: I thought it was pretty solid.

Q. Not the result you wanted in terms of the win/loss, but for you personally looks like this was one of the better outings of the year. You had the fastball command, the change-up to the lefties, the slider down. Is that what you felt? When did you know this was going to be a good night for you?

TY MADDEN: I knew from the start, felt good in my legs and change-up was really working. And I think that's kind of the most I've thrown it this year. And people haven't really been able to see it, and this was a more dominant left-handed lineup that I haven't really faced too much. So I think it was the most I've used my change-up all year.

But from the get-go, I felt pretty solid. And the slider I knew after the first pitch I threw in the game that it had great depth. Especially with that shadow early it was going to be tough to see that spinner.

Q. Let's talk about the job your defense did behind you tonight. Specifically Si getting the runner there at third and then the strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out, I think it was in the seventh?

TY MADDEN: I've said it all year that I think Si is one of the best catchers in the country. I think he put that on stage tonight. And hopefully he gets lots of love from that.

But Si's been terrific since I've known him. He's caught every single one of my games since he stepped on campus. And I love the kid and he's just going to continue to grow. And the kid's going to have a long baseball career.

Q. Obviously, you know, the rally in the ninth inning fell short, but just to see the guys trying the battle back after that, especially after having such a struggle in the first eight innings, what does it say about the team that you all were able to kind of stage a comeback [inaudible]?

TY MADDEN: They've got a lot of fight. I think everybody saw that. I love the kids on this team. We preach all year that it ain't over until it's over. So we're going to keep having that fight. And I'm proud of these boys.

Q. What did Coach Pierce say to you guys in the dugout after the game?

TY MADDEN: He said he would go to battle every day with this team, that he believes in us. Even though it wasn't pretty we're not done and we've still got work to do.

Q. Why do you think you guys are not done yet? What about the Texas Longhorns, what message do you have for the fan base that's pretty disappointed tonight?

TY MADDEN: Just keep believing in us. We've done it all year. We've won in multiple ways. And, like I said, this team's not done and we're going to keep rolling. I still have faith in us. And you all should as well.

Q. When you look at Pete coming in to close it out, how just impressed were you that you were going to be able to pick up where you left off and more importantly, for him to (indiscernible) this kind of game for the first time, just overall thoughts on his outing?

TY MADDEN: He did his job. He did it extremely well. The kid's had an unbelievable year, unbelievable two years since he's been on campus. And he's adaptable. And I think you saw that tonight. And he's going to bounce back and be ready to go whether it be the next game or start Game 3. The kid's a team guy and I'm proud of him, and I think he's going to continue to excel here.

Q. While you were walking off the field there in the dugout did Tristan say anything? And I'm assuming you have a lot of confidence in him, if he's the guy that gets the ball on Tuesday?

TY MADDEN: Yes, just telling him to keep going. Do what we've done all year. And just have confidence -- confidence is huge in this game. And I told him I believe in him and I love him and it's his time to go.