WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: QUARTERFINALS - AUSTRALIA VS CUBA

March 14, 2023

Dave Nilsson

Steven Kent

Tokyo Dome

Team Australia

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. The first question to Dave. Congratulations once again advancing through the quarterfinal. What's your team's condition?

DAVE NILSSON: Very fresh. Had a good workout. Everyone is very healthy and very excited, so I think our team will be prepared and ready for a good game tomorrow.

Q. Looking back the previous four games, what's your summary?

DAVE NILSSON: We work very hard. We prepared very well, and we had some tough moments that we worked through, and we came out on the other side, and the team played very well.

They're very confident in their ability. Obviously, we won three games, so we're feeling pretty good about the situation.

Q. Mr. Kent, what's in your mind in the previous four games? How did you feel? How do you see your team's condition?

STEVEN KENT: Yeah, I think similar to what Dingo said. We battled some adversity in some of those games, but we came out and there and managed to win three. In the way Dingo manages the game, all our pitches are ready to go.

So I'm really excited for tomorrow night. I think we're in really good condition to perform well tomorrow.

Q. In tomorrow's quarterfinal you play against Cuba. What's your impression for Cuba?

STEVEN KENT: I think Cuba is a really strong team. Obviously, every team that's left now in the quarterfinals, there's only eight teams left, everyone is obviously a really, really good team. Cuba is no different.

For a number of years now they've been one of the really big powerhouses in international baseball, but at this point we believe we are, too. We belong in that conversation. So I think tomorrow night is going to be a great game and, again, really excited for it.

Q. Dave, from now on the quarterfinal, the semifinal, final, it's elimination game. Is there any game plan change? What's your strategy? What's your plan? What's in your mind?

DAVE NILSSON: I'll be approaching tomorrow's game the same as I have the last four. You know, we'll just be going one inning at a time trying to limit the opposition to their runs and trying to have quality at-bats. Not much will really change. That's what we're prepared for, and we'll just stick to that game plan.

Q. Dave, the impression for Cuba, and also what do you think is tomorrow's game's key?

DAVE NILSSON: Again, I have a huge amount of respect for the Cuban baseball team. They've over a long period of time over many decades played very well at the international tournaments, so I expect it to be the same tomorrow.

I think the key is just early pitching. You know, good, good, strong pitching and defense. From our point of view it would be nice to get some early runs, but the key is early pitching, which is why I've gone with Steven. I have ultimate confidence in him to perform.

THE MODERATOR: Good luck for tomorrow.