Tim Elko on winning CWS for Mike Bianco: It means the world to get him a title
Ole Miss coaches and players were overcome with emotion following the Rebels College World Series victory. Especially given their meteoric run from Last Team In to the NCAA Tournament to Last Team Standing in Omaha — or, OleMaha. Senior star Tim Elko was just happy for his coaches and being able to share this amazing run together.
When asked after the clinching game about what the coaching staff means to him, here is how Elko answered:
“You know, it means the world that we were able to get Coach [Mike Bianco] a national championship here. The coaches, they teach us so much. They keep us in line. They’re like friends to us, honestly. Obviously they’re our coaches, but they’re the best. They’re the best there is. It’s an absolute joy to play for them.”
“It’s a joy just to go to the field every day and practice and be around them. I couldn’t have asked for a better coach, head coach, hitting coach, pitching coach, all of the coaches. I couldn’t have asked for better ones to play for for five years. It brings joy to my heart to win a national championship for them.”
A long an illustrious career for Elko comes to an end in the confetti-covered Charles Schwab field, where he and the coaches that helped mold him into the man and player he is share the experience together. Tim Elko certainly hasn’t lost sight of the people who led this Rebels run.
Hayden Dunhurst describe emotions on winning CWS title
Gold Glove catcher Hayden Dunhurst was one of the many players caught up in the emotion of the end of a rollicking championship run. Ana Bell of Hurrdat Sports caught up with Dunhurst in the moments after the win. You can watch all of his comments in the tweet below or read what he had to say further down.
Bell simply asked Dunhurst about the emotions in the immediate afterthought. He responded:
“No words, really. Just proud of this team, man. After everything we’ve been through — just coming from the dark place we were in. Just happy, man. We had tears after the game, all types of stuff.”
Then, Bell asked what about this team Dunhurst is most proud of. He said:
“I’d probably say the way our guys handled everything. Just our mindsets and confidence and things like that. Everyone was kind of out of it, but then we all just kinda bought in and said ‘we don’t want it to end.’ Ended up winning our last game.”
Dunhurst then shared that he’s not sure the feeling of winning the title will ever fully soak in. “I don’t think it ever will. Maybe 20 years. But not right now,” he said.