2021 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

June 29, 2021

Tim Corbin

Vanderbilt Commodores

Postgame Press Conference

Mississippi State - 13, Vanderbilt - 2

COACH CORBIN: Just a tough night all the way around. We didn't do much of anything real well at all. So we have to regroup quick and concern ourselves with tomorrow.

Q. Obviously disappointment tonight. But everything to play for tomorrow. Is there any challenge of getting your guys to refocus and be back ready to go?

COACH CORBIN: No.

Q. You went with several pitchers tonight that haven't pitched in a month or so. So what was the strategy of using those guys? Is it just to save some of the other relievers for a potential third game?

COACH CORBIN: Yeah, we just needed to eat some innings some way, somehow. Tough sledding for those guys. They're all freshmen, first-year guys. To your point, they haven't pitched a whole lot. So, first opportunity out here is rather difficult.

I thought Berkwich threw well, threw a lot of strikes. And that was a good inning for Donye Evans for the most part.

Q. It's been a while since you guys had a game like this. What do you lean on with them to know and feel confident that they're going to be able to refocus and go tomorrow?

COACH CORBIN: I don't know, Chris. I mean, yeah, we haven't played a game like that, but whether it's 13-1 or 2-1 -- if you lose 2-1 it might have more of an effect than a 13-1 game. It's embarrassing to play a 13-1 game. It's not fun to play like that.

But at the same time it's a loss. And you can -- a loss is a loss is a loss. They're not worth more than the other. So all you're left with is the next game. And everyone would sign up for that.

Q. I know you may not know for sure until tomorrow. But what are your hopes for what Nick Maldonado can give you out of the bullpen tomorrow if necessary if terms of length?

COACH CORBIN: We just don't know yet. Today I think was an important day for all of them, no matter who it was. But we've got able bodies tomorrow. Whether it's Nick or anyone else, we just try to -- once we wake up, once the kids start moving around a little bit, start moving their arm, we'll kind of determine what we need to do.

Q. Kumar, presuming he's who you throw tomorrow, do you approach his outing or his pitch count any different? I guess, with two fewer days rest than you would have for him during the year?

COACH CORBIN: We'd manage that in a way that we need to. We've been in these spots before out here, had to do it with Fulmer and Buehler. So, it's kind of what it is. You get into a situation much like them with Bednar and Sims and so on. You just do what you have to do within reason. And certainly health comes into that equation.

Q. It was reported earlier today that some Vandy families last night had some racial slurs directed at them. How did you learn about that? And what is your reaction?

COACH CORBIN: My reaction?

Q. Yes.

COACH CORBIN: It's very concerning. I mean, that's not about the baseball game, but you know I'm not going to go into that. It's just bad behavior. Poor behavior. Tough to fathom that that happens. But I'm not going to talk about it.

Q. With Kumar tomorrow, is there any other guy you'd rather have the ball in his hand in a situation like that? And what do you expect from him right from jump?

COACH CORBIN: Compete. He'll compete. Give him the ball, he'll compete.

Q. You talked before about how special it is to be playing on the final night of the college baseball season, national championship on the line. It will be the fourth time you've done it now. Just how great is that feeling going into the ballpark tomorrow with a team with a chance?

COACH CORBIN: Yeah, I mean it is. I don't take that for granted. The fact that you're here and you can start the baseball season on opening day and you can close it, there's only two teams who get an opportunity to do it. We've been very fortunate to be in this situation, as you said. And this is a different team. It's a new team in a lot of different ways. They really have played very consistent baseball. And the fact that they could put themselves in this position is a credit to them. Now the moment will be trying to finish it off. And we'll look forward to that opportunity tomorrow.