2021 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

June 25, 2021

Kumar Rocker

Vanderbilt Commodores

Postgame Press Conference

Vanderbilt - 3, NC State - 1

Q. Kumar, can you take us through what happened and when you learned that you guys weren't going to start at 1:00 p.m.? Because I believe you were out there.

KUMAR ROCKER: Yeah, I was out there.

Q. Can you take us through that?

KUMAR ROCKER: I started warming up. And then I had to stop because they had to take some time to get their stuff together. Went back in the locker room. And then I came back out, got back into pitching mode, and then went to play.

Q. What was it like for you having to go out there, first of all, after you'd already been warming up and you had to go back, and then you had to go back warm up again? And also just facing totally different hitters than you might have been expecting?

KUMAR ROCKER: It's something that I could have gone without. But whatever was in front of me was what was in front of me.

Q. They played basically the same lineup the entire year. Their reserves didn't play much. They had a pitcher hitting today. How do you approach three or four guys that you probably don't have much of a scouting report on at all?

KUMAR ROCKER: You pitch to them like any other player.

Q. What was Corbs' message before the game just about remaining in the moment despite dealing with what you guys had to deal with? What did he say to you guys?

KUMAR ROCKER: I don't think he said anything. I think he knows us. I think we all know each other. All we need is each other.

Q. You talked about your leadership role on the team then. Did you say anything to the other guys about the mental state that you all needed to be in?

KUMAR ROCKER: No, I think we knew what was ahead of us when we showed up at the field. We're a tough group. And we're going to continue to be one.

Q. You had a very, very good dominating performance today. Just talk about your approach today against NC State. And what were you most proud of that you accomplished today?

KUMAR ROCKER: I wanted to throw that fastball in there. And Parker, who you all just talked to, let me know that at second base at some point.

Q. I was wondering, with the events of today, how much does COVID kind of still loom in the minds, if you're a player? It's been such a long year. I would assume that tests are a constant reminder. But I'm just kind of wondering how much is COVID thought about still.

KUMAR ROCKER: I cannot answer for the rest, but personally nothing for us, really.