Watch: 8 best things Jay Johnson, Nick Quintana said after Arizona Wildcats' walk-off win over ASU

Staying alive

By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star

Tied game. Two runners on. One out. Bottom of the 11th inning at Hi Corbett Field. Arizona and Arizona State are tied 9-9. 

UA pinch hitter Donta Williams smacked a line drive into right field, which would've kept Nick Quintana, the runner at second base, at third, but ASU right fielder Trevor Hauver committed an error. Quintana was signaled home and the Wildcats completed the weekend series with a 10-9 win and most importantly, took back the throne of the Territorial Cup series.

For Saturday night being Arizona's senior day, it almost seemed scripted for the ending. The only way it would've been more fitting was if a senior made the crucial play to not only snag the win, but keep Arizona's hopes of a NCAA Tournament bid alive.

Quintana, sophomore third baseman, went 4 of 4 at the plate including two home runs, arguably his best hitting performance of the season. 

So now what? UA has a 32-21 record, 12-15 in Pac-12 play, and is now sixth in the conference with an RPI of 47. Sweeping ASU would've helped Arizona's cause for a tournament bid, but fortunately for the Cats, they'll travel to Oregon next week with hopes of making a final case for postseason play.   

Head coach Jay Johnson and Quintana spoke after Arizona's win, here's what they had to say.

'That was pretty special'

Arizona head coach Jay Johnson after the Wildcats’ win over ASU in walk-off fashion: “All I wanted to do was watch them celebrate that win. That was pretty special.”Also says Nick Quintana played the best game of his UA career. pic.twitter.com/jWG2WV84zZ

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 20, 2018

A lifetime memory

Jay Johnson on tonight’s win over ASU: “That’s one of the highlights of my coaching career.” pic.twitter.com/rI2nYSsaBD

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 20, 2018

Sending out the seniors the right way

Nick Quintana breaks down Donta Williams’ walk-off hit, stepping up for the seniors in a crucial game against ASU: pic.twitter.com/mQeVGNwHsz

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 20, 2018

Quintana's best performance

Jay Johnson on Nick Quintana’s performance, and Zach Stone’s pitching: pic.twitter.com/IMZXhdc0T4

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 20, 2018

Quintana agrees with Johnson

Nick Quintana says tonight was his best performance at UA, but is focused on next week’s road trip against Oregon. “Every game is a postseason game. Every game is the Super Bowl.” pic.twitter.com/48AKQVPmwR

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 20, 2018

Johnson's thoughts on senior class, series against ASU

Jay Johnson on Arizona’s senior class, and always playing from behind in the series against ASU: pic.twitter.com/3DbegDze55

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 20, 2018

Arizona's case for the NCAA Tournament

Why should @ArizonaBaseball be in the NCAA Baseball Tournamemt? @UACoachJ explains: pic.twitter.com/K6Gq5Lfn6e

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 20, 2018

The formula to winning a hard-fought battle

Nick Quintana on the recipe for tonight’s win over ASU: pic.twitter.com/by9m0SyOst

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 20, 2018