It's mind-blowing. I've waited four years for an opportunity to play in the championship and to finally come through with it ? all the hard work's paid off.

They gave us every opportunity to come back. Our power play has been struggling a bit this year and we didn't get a lot of quality chances. We're happy with the effort but not the result.

It enters my mind a lot. I have a good opportunity to play at the big-league level. But you can't determine the future. Who knows what I'm going to be? You can't put a stamp or a label on what I'm going to be until I actually get there.

My whole mind-set has been when I do go out and get an opportunity to play I'm just going to go out and do what I can to help this team win and play hard. Hopefully you impress those around you.

We're thrilled to have such a wonderful lineup. This is a great opportunity for us to give visibility to our designation as a leadership university.

I don't mind it, ... The more you play, the more you get comfortable. When I played [third base] in winter ball [in 2003], I got real comfortable there. Hopefully, if that's what it takes, that will push me over the edge and give me the extra chance I need to make the team.