“They appreciate the effort” - UConn baseball HC Jim Penders heaps praise on Florida State fans for unwavering support
UConn Huskies baseball coach Jim Penders had a special message for Florida State fans before the Seminoles began their 2024 College World Series campaign.
After UConn lost both games of its Tallahassee Super Regional against FSU at Howser Stadium, Penders waxed lyrical about the Seminoles' support from fans during the Super Regionals.
"Florida State and the environment here is the best I've ever competed in, in college baseball. I heard how great the fans were before coming here...the animals...Oh Canada....and all of the incredible traditions they have here, and it lived up to its billing." Penders said after his team exited the NCAA tournament in the Super Regionals on Saturday.
"We've played in hostile environments, I wouldn't call it....it was tough to play in, but the people are baseball fans, they're true fans, they appreciate effort, they appreciate good play, they appreciated the way we competed today especially." Penders added.
Penders also said that he's proud of his team's performances over the two games in the Florida heat.
"Kudos to them for showing up yesterday in that heat and cheering on their team and then again today. It was an electric atomosphere and I'm proud of the way we competed in a really tough environment." Jim Penders said.
Although Florida State fans turned up in huge numbers to support the team during the Super Regionals, they showed their class and respected the effort of the UConn players as well.
Notably, the Noles faithful held a few rounds of applause on some UConn plays and when some opposition pitchers exited the game.
Florida State advances to College World Series after beating Jim Penders' UConn in Super Regionals
FSU beat Jim Penders' UConn 24-4 in Game 1 and 10-8 in 12 innings in Game 2 of its Super Regionals. The two wins confirmed Florida State's spot in the College World Series.
The Seminoles open their CWS campaign on Friday, June 14, against No. 1 overall seed Tennessee.