Carol Hutchins Quotations

Getting here was hard, winning here was really hard. For us to be the champion, I don't think there's a word for it.

I thought that she pitched better in the first game than the second. She looked like she was steering her pitches a little bit (in the second game) and getting behind hitters. She's going to help us, but she has to improve.

Jennie was outstanding again. It's tough to come back into a game and pitch to the top of Northwestern's lineup in the seventh inning.

Jennie was outstanding again, ... It's tough to come back into a game and pitch to the top of Northwestern's lineup in the seventh inning.

We won and we came here to win. We're trying to win this tournament, and it's the only tournament we care about.

We're trying to get a look at the new team, the (2006) team. Our goal is to get the young kids some experience to see what they've got.

There's no doubt that we really value the fall practice because of the weather in Michigan. We value getting to go out and play together, and it's hard for us to do that when there's snow on the ground.

The shortstop is like the point guard in basketball. Merchant was a key to every aspect of last year's team.

Samantha's one of the most mentally tough people I've ever met,

It's a tremendous blow for women, I can't even start to say how many opportunities have been negated for women athletes because of this.

I told all the players I had last summer on the national team to look at their uniforms, they said 'USA' across the front. That's always something special. But it's going to be even more special now since chances are being taken away from us. I'm not going to give up hope that somebody is going to come to their senses on this.

It was a great moment for Michigan and for Michigan softball. I was so proud of those kids. They were incredible all week.

She looked at that (final at-bat) as a chance to make something happen. That's what mental toughness is all about - concentrating on what's going to help you be successful, not how you just failed.

I'm looking forward to meeting Alan Trammell and Kirk Gibson.

I couldn't be prouder of them. I just don't want them to relax on this. The seniors kept this team focused all year, and I don't believe the (Big Ten regular-season title) will phase them.

I don't want to say all is lost, but it's going to be a lot of work to get us back by 2012. Maybe 2016 is more realistic. But this is terrible for our sport and for women. It's a huge blow to all of us.