I definitely think the kids were waiting for Brian's return. They knew he could give us a real solid No. 1 pitcher. I'd probably put him in the traditional role of a quiet leader. He doesn't talk too much, but you know he's going to go out there and get it done.

He's one of the top pitchers in East Texas. Losing him will be difficult for us.

He's only thrown seven innings going into tonight's game, and he's only going to get better. He's going to get better as the year goes, and tonight he was throwing with a 101 (degree) fever.

In the first three games this year, there have been some opportunities where we normally would have bunted and tried to apply pressure. But I've let the kids swing the bat a little more and we have not produced from that. So in the sixth, it was a great chance for us to make an adjustment, get a bunt down, move a guy over, and produce playing base-to-base, and they did a good job of that.

I know Whitmer is a lot like Helms. It's going to be difficult to hit him. Our kids are going to have to play really well to beat him.

The kids' effort is great. They're playing hard, doing everything we ask. We're trying to get everybody healthy at the same time. At that time I know we'll be real effective.

At this point, we're looking for something positive to happen and something to build on. The kids are working hard and keeping a positive attitude. We're hoping this is when it falls into place.

They are obviously the team that everyone is going to be looking at as a team that could be in the championship game because of their experience. It's an honor to have them back here and it gives our tournament a lot of respect.

That's a big part of our pitching staff back from last year. That's remarkable, because we didn't think we'd have him all year.

They got four runs there that weren't pretty, but they got them. There were a couple of things we could have done differently to prevent that, but we didn't do it.