Kevin O'Sullivan's words seemed to hit Brandon McArthur like a eulogy.
As the coach heaped praise on his third baseman, it brought the night into focus for McArthur, and he tugged his hat down to cover his eyes.
The 7-6 heartbreaking loss to Southern Miss had really happened. UF's season was over, just two games shy of a trip to the College World Series. And McArthur's college career- maybe even his career as a player - was finished as well.
"He has meant everything to this program," O'Sullivan said. "He exemplifies leadership, character, toughness and competitiveness. I've told him a thousand times that his story will be told from team to team.
"Whenever he's back in the fall to come to football games and coming for weekends next spring, I want him talking to the team. I want the younger guys to know about Brandon McArthur."
McArthur's tale is well-known by now. He enrolled at UF despite being chosen in the fifth round of the MLB Draft then missed his freshman year after a random act of violence outside a Gainesville bar led to surgeries and brain damage.
He later missed most of the 2007 season with a torn ligament in his right elbow, and he played on a torn ACL for part of 2008.
Despite everything he went through during his six years at UF, including a coaching change, McArthur stayed positive and served as a role model and leader.
He did his part Sunday night as well, slamming a home run and hitting a two-run single, efforts that helped the Gators build a 6-1 lead.
He'll leave the program with no regrets, cherishing the good and bad memories he picked up along the way.
"Never once will I ever think I made the wrong decision by coming back here," McArthur said. "Coach O'Sullivan, he really tried to talk me into it last summer, and it was because of him that I wanted to come back."
Now, more than ever, McArthur wishes he could have another year. For the first time since the Gators finished second in Omaha in 2005, the baseball program is on the right track.
O'Sullivan's recruiting and coaching has paid off, and there will be plenty of talent in town next season. That's why - outside of those for McArthur - there were no tears at the postgame press conference.
Sure, it was a bummer to come so close to a CWS berth, but the future is as bright as ever.
"There are a lot of things to be excited about moving into next year, and I feel awfully bad for the seniors and other players that might move on in the draft," O'Sullivan said. "I don't want these guys hanging their heads. My philosophy always is, when the season's over, it's over. There's no finger-pointing or complaining."
Nor should there be. The Gators far surpassed expectations this season, winning the Southeastern Conference East, earning a national seed, beating Miami in a Regional and hosting a Super Regional.
They'll lose pitchers Stephen Locke and Patrick Keating to graduation, but as the season wore on, UF leaned more and more on freshmen Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Panteliodis and Nick Maronde. Those three will be back, along with Tommy Toledo, who missed the season with an injury after a great freshman campaign.
Prized recruits are on the way as well, and though the Gators will have to absorb the losses of Avery Barnes, Teddy Foster and McArthur at the plate, they'll keep the heart of the order intact.
The key will be keeping Matt den Dekker from leaving for a pro career, but even if he does, UF is in great shape.
This is as good as the program has looked in a long while. It's just unfortunate timing that McArthur won't be around to enjoy the ride with the team he helped shape.
