2021 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

June 26, 2021

Tanner Leggett

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Postgame Press Conference

Mississippi State - 4, Texas - 3

Q. You grew up a Mississippi State guy; you just made the hit that's going to send Mississippi State to the College World Series finals. Take us through the at-bat and how are you feeling right now?

TANNER LEGGETT: It's incredible. I had a couple guys come up to me in the dugout and tell me that I was going to get a chance to win it. I had a chance for a big hit a couple nights ago but ground out to third. Kept my head up and said my little prayer and when Bray got the bag stolen, I knew if I got a pitch to hit, I would be short to it, and I did, thank the Lord.

Q. Take us through the at-bat.

TANNER LEGGETT: So I got a hit it away on my first pitch. It was a great pitch. Great guy. Their pitching staff's tough. But he hung one up and I put a good swing on it. Wasn't a bad pitch, though. It was a good pitch. I was just locked in. That's where my feet were and it paid off for us.

Q. I was talking to Chris a little bit about this, but you guys are counted on to be prepared for moments like this when it comes. You have a pinch runner on first base ready to steal second. This isn't a normal substitution, you have a chance to win and go to the College World Series finals. How prepared are you for moments like this?

TANNER LEGGETT: What an opportunity. Some people get nervous for that situation, but I pray for that situation. Thank God for putting me and thank Coach for putting me in the game. I knew if I got a pitch, I would be short to it. Just played my part, every pitch, every out, all nine innings.

Q. Coach said he thought you had been having good swings in batting practice lately. Do you feel like that, too? Do you feel like your BP has been particularly strong and is there anything in particular you've been doing lately that's led to that?

TANNER LEGGETT: Not anything different, just day, in day out, staying locked in and staying focused on every game, every pitch and knowing that when I do get a chance that I'll take advantage of it.

And I mean, the postseason, yes, BP has been more serious, more locked in, but nothing too drastic.

Q. Did you grow up a Mississippi State fan as kids from Mississippi do? And what happened with your shirt after the game?

TANNER LEGGETT: Yes, I do. I grew up in a small town in Mississippi, so I was always around Mississippi State watching games, watching all sporting events. When I got offered here, I knew this is where I wanted to go and be a part of the baseball squad. My shirt, Landon Sims stole it and I never saw it again.

Q. What goes through your head when you see the swarm of teammates running at you in the infield?

TANNER LEGGETT: Everything. Just you black out. It's a great feeling, knowing we've worked so hard to get here. Just what a moment, what a moment?

Q. When was your last walk-off?

TANNER LEGGETT: High school baseball.

Q. How rewarding is it for you? You've only had three appearances since the 26th, but what was it like keeping your head up high and waiting for your moment, and how rewarding was it to finally get a couple big shots and obviously have the biggest hit that the team's had this year? What was that whole process like and how rewarding is it?

TANNER LEGGETT: Just stay in tune. Knowing my part. Knowing my role, day-in, day-out in practice. Games, making as most of every opportunity I can get. Not trying to do too much. Putting good swings on the ball. It's just playing my part.

Q. A lot of maroon here, and there will be more next week. But after the rain delay last night, there were a couple thousand Mississippi State fans and they got excited and seemed like things were special going on behind the dugout. What did that mean all those people staying through a three-hour rain delay and what did that mean having the fans here?

TANNER LEGGETT: So much, that's what makes me stay in baseball is having a fan base like no other. Hearing them yell your name in Omaha, it's like a home-field advantage almost. Love every single one of them. Moments like that, that's what you pray for.