Updates for Day Four of the College World Series

Bracket Two Scores and Highlights from Tuesday

South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Virginia Cavaliers

South Carolina brought the bats and the pitching to this much anticipated CWS showdown. The defending NCAA Champions were able to stay in the winner’s bracket by beating the 2011 #1 seeded University of Virginia 7-1 Tuesday night.

South Carolina shredded UV’s pitching collecting 13 hits, 5 for extra bases, and benefited from 3 Cavaliers’ errors; two by 3B Steven Proscia, a 7^th round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners. Four USC players had multiple hits, 1B Christian Walker 2-5 with 2 RBIs, CF Jackie Bradley Jr. 2-5 with 1 RBI, 3B Adrian Morales 3-5 2 runs and 1 RBI, and DH Brady Thomas 3-4 with 1 RBI.

Will Roberts pitched 3.1 innings for UV giving up 3 ER, 6 unearned, on 8 hits taking the loss for the Cavs. Virginia threw 5 other pitchers to slow the Gamecocks offensive onslaught combining for 5 hits, 1 ER, over 5.2 innings of work.

Colby Holmes started for the Gamecocks throwing 4.1 innings of 1-hit, 1 run ball while striking out 7. Holmes gave up a solo home run to Cavs’ C John Hicks in the 4^th inning. John Taylor came in to relieve Holmes and threw 4.1 innings of shutout ball, only allowing one hit. Matt Price threw to one batter, getting CF Kenny Swab to fly out to center in the 9^th to end the game.

Cavs’ lead off hitter SS Chris Taylor went 2-4 in a losing effort. UV went three and out 5 times Tuesday night.

University of California Bears vs. Texas A&M Aggies

The amazing Bears continued their unlikely march in the CWS and added to the Big 12 disappointing CWS. The Bears eliminated the Aggies 7-3 Tuesday night behind solid pitching and timely hitting.

Offense Highlights

The Bears were outhit by the Aggies 9 to 10 but A&M committed two errors that led to 3 unearned Bear runs which proved to be too much to overcome. Tony Renda led the Bears attack going 2-3 with a run and RBI and 2B Derek Campbell contributed a 2-4 effort with a run and 2 RBIs for the Cal Bears.

The Aggies had great plate performances from CF Krey Bratsen (2-5), C Kevin Gonzalez (3-4), and LF Brandon Wood (2-4). A solo home run by 3B Adam Smith (1-4), a New York Yankees draft pick, in the 4^th inning put the Aggies up 1-0 but in the top of the 5^th the Bears would show the fighting spirit they’ve had all season long by putting up 3 runs to take the lead.

Pitching Highlights

Michael Wacha threw 108 pitches and faced 32 Bears’ batters. He gave up 9 hits, 7 unearned runs and 4 ER, while walking 2 and striking out 5. Kyle Porter went 6 innings for the Bears giving up 3 ER on 7 hits while striking out 4 for the win. Matt Flemer threw 3 shutout innings in relief for the Bears to earn the save.

Virginia and California will meet Thursday in another elimination game for the Bears. South Carolina will play the winner of the Cal vs. Cavs game on Friday. If South Carolina loses Friday’s game, an elimination game will be played on Saturday for the right to play in the NCCAA Championship game against the bracket one winner.

Wednesday’s Game

In a bracket one elimination game, UNC Tar Hills (51-15) face the Vanderbilt Commodores (53-11) for the right to play the Florida Gators for the NCAA Championship game. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. EST. 

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