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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College World Series Updates, Day Three

One team was sent packing and another team has to wait until tomorrow to find out their fate in day three action of the College World Series.

Texas Longhorns vs. North Carolina Tar Hills

The early game in Omaha on Monday saw the Texas Longhorns, 6 time NCAA Baseball Champions, say goodbye to their hopes of capturing their 7^th NCAA Baseball Championship by losing to North Carolina 3-0. The Longhorns were shut down by Tar Hill pitcher Kent Emmanuel’s complete game 4-hit shutout. LF Jonathan Walsh tried to spark a punch less Texas’ offense by going 2-3. The Longhorns committed bases running errors to stop scoring opportunities in the second and fourth innings. Tar Hill LF Chaz Frank and RF Seth Baldwin helped double off two Longhorn runners with outfield assists on the plays to end both innings.

The Tar Hills offense scored two runs in the third inning off a two out single by C Jacob Stallings (the son of Vanderbilt’s men’s head basketball coach) to take control of the game. North Carolina collected nine total hits with four of those hits coming from 2-hole hitter CF Ben Bunting. Bunting scored a run and drove in a run.

The story of the game was Kent Emmanuel’s pitching for the Tar Hills. Emmanuel threw 126 pitches, stuck out 5, and walked 1 to earn the victory. Longhorn pitcher Cole Green threw 2 innings giving up 5 hits and 2 earned runs for the loss.

Florida Gators vs. Vanderbilt Commodores

The final outcome of the winner’s bracket game will have to wait until Tuesday as play was suspended due to inclement weather. Florida was leading 3-0 in the bottom half of the sixth inning with two outs when tornado sirens cleared the field; Vanderbilt was batting with two outs. Play will resume on Tuesday at 11:06 a.m. EST.

Colorado Rockies 16^th round draft pick RF Preston Tucker hit a three-run home run in the third inning to put the Gators up before play was stopped. Preston was leading a Florida attack that had accumulated 5 hits in 6 innings with Preston going 2-3. Vanderbilt SS Anthony Gomez had 2 of the 4 Commodore hits.

Tampa Rays compensatory pick (#59), LHP Grayson Garvin, gave up five hits and three earned runs for the Commodores on 99 pitches while striking out 9.

North Carolina awaits the loser of the Florida vs. Vanderbilt game. That game will be played Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Tuesday’s Games

California Bears (37-22) vs. Texas A&M (47-21) at 2:00 p.m. EST.

South Carolina Gamecocks (51-14) vs. Virginia Cavaliers (55-10) at 7:00 p.m. EST. 

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College World Series Updates, Day 2

Day Two, Bracket Two Updates

Day two of the College World Series proved to be as exciting as day one. Walk-off hits and strong pitching highlighted play on Sunday.

South Carolina vs. Texas A&M

The Gamecocks and Aggies had to shake off CWS nerves and jitters in the first inning before settling down to fundamental baseball in the second inning. Both teams benefited from an early error in the bottom half and top half of the first inning to tie the game at 4-4. The Gamecocks would earn a walk-off 5-4 victory with a single in the 9^th.

South Carolina Pitching

Michael Roth pitched 7.1 innings of 0 earned run ball but gave up 4 unearned runs in the first inning for the Gamecocks. Roth was a workhorse throwing 122 pitches, striking out 8, walking 5, while only giving up 4 hits to earn the victory. Roth gave up 2 hits in the 1^st, a hit in the 2^nd, and 1 in the 4^th. South Carolina would only allow 2 bases runners after the 4^th inning. John Taylor and Matt Price combined to throw 1.2 innings of no-hit shut out ball to close out the game.

South Carolina Hitting

2B Scott Wingo was the offensive star for South Carolina going 4-4, was hit by a pitch, knocked in one, and scored one. His walk-off single with the bases loaded and nobody out in the 9^th advanced South Carolina into the winners bracket. C Robert Beary started off the 9^th with a double, followed by a CF Jackie Bradley Jr. single (his only hit of the night), and then a walk by lead-off hitter RF Evan Marzilli loaded the bases for Wingo’s clutch game winning RBI.

Texas A&M Hitting

LF Brandon Wood led the way for the Aggies at the plate. He had a bases clearing triple with two outs in the first inning. Lead off hitter RF Tyler Naquin got the first inning going for the Aggies reaching base off an error by South Carolina’s 1B Christian Walker.

Texas A&M Pitching

Aggies’ starting pitcher Ross Stripling threw 114 pitches in 8 innings of work, striking out 6, walking 1, giving up 2 ER and 7 hits.

California vs. Virginia

A pitchers duel broke out between top seeded Virginia and the scrappy California Bears. The Cavaliers were able to slow Cal’s bats and earn a 4-1 victory to advance into the winners bracket of the CWS.

University of Virginia Pitching

Danny Hultzen threw 6.1 innings of 3 hit shut out ball with no run support. Hultzen struck out 6 and walked 3. Tyler Wilson was then brought in to provide 2.1 innings of relief, giving up 3 hits, and 1 ER for the win. Brandon Kline threw .1 innings getting CF Darrel Matthew to foul out to 3B Steven Proscia for the last out and the save.

University of Virginia Hitting

The Cavaliers threatened in the third but were held scoreless until their 2-run 7^th inning and 2-run 8^th inning. 2B Keith Werman, the Cavaliers’ 9 hole hitter (batting .216), had the game of his life going 2-4 with a RBI and scoring the Cavs first run of the CWS. Lead off hitter SS Chris Taylor would score the winning run for the Cavs in the 7^th inning. LF John Barr went 2-2 with a walk.

University of California-Berkley Hitting

The Cal Bears tried for late innings heroics scoring their only run in the top of the 9^th on a single to left center by RF Chad Bunting scoring SS and cleanup hitter Marcus Semien. The Bears did not advance a runner past 2^nd until the 9^th inning. Cal put a runner on second base in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 7^th innings but were never able to capitalize on Cavs pitching.

University of California-Berkley Pitching

Erik Johnson labored through 3 innings for Cal giving up 5 walks and 2 hits but no earned runs. Logan Scott threw 3 innings giving up 2 ER for the loss. Kevin Miller threw 1 inning giving up 2 ER on 3 hits.

Bracket Two Games on Tuesday

Virginia (55-10) will play South Carolina (51-14) Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. EST in the winner’s bracket.

California (37-22) will play Texas A&M (47-21) Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. EST in an elimination game.

Day 3 Games of the College World Series, Bracket One

Vanderbilt (53-10) plays Florida (51-17) in the winner’s bracket at 7:00 p.m. EST.

North Carolina (50-15) plays Texas (49-18) in an elimination game at 2:00 p.m. EST. 

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Super Regional Updates Day Three

Four more teams clinched a berth in the 2011 College World Series on Sunday.

Florida Gators

South Carolina Gamecocks

Texas Longhorns

California Bears

The North Carolina Tar Heels and Vanderbilt Commodores won their Super Regional on Saturday.

Three SEC teams have a spot in the 2011 College World Series. The ACC can claim three if Florida State and University of Virginia win on Monday.

Updates of Sunday’s games

University of Florida vs. Mississippi State

So much for the new bats limiting home runs, Florida slugged five home runs against Mississippi State on Sunday closing their Super Regional with an 8-6 victory. Mike Zunino contributed to the home run derby hitting his 18^th on the season. Zunino, a Johnny Bench Award finalist, went 2-4 raising his season average to .376. Mississippi State 2B Nick Vickerson hit another home run in a losing effort; his 9^th of the year. This is the Gators seventh appearance in the College World Series.

South Carolina vs. University of Connecticut

Christian Walker has hit back to back Super Regional clinching home runs (2010 over Coastal Carolina) to lift the Gamecocks 8-2 to the College World Series over Connecticut. The Gamecocks will have an opportunity to defend their 2010 NCAA National Championship in Omaha.

University of Texas vs. Arizona State University

The Texas Longhorns clinched their 37^th College World Series berth with a 4-2 win over Arizona State. Texas’ pitchers scattered 6 hits keeping ASU off balance all game. Texas SS Brandon Loy went 3-4 with a RBI and BB raising his season average to .350.

University of California vs. Dallas Baptist University

The Cal Bears stopped Dallas Baptist unbelievable 2011 play winning 6-2. Is Cal a team of destiny this season? Their program was cut by the university earlier in the year due to budget constraints but saved by booster donations in time for 2011 season play. Catcher Chadd Krist went 2-4 with 3 RBIs for Cal.

Elimination Monday

Florida State and UC Irvine won to keep their College World series hopes alive on Sunday.

Florida State University vs. University of Texas A&M

Florida State demolished Texas A&M 23-9. FSU out hit Texas A&M 16 to 12 and capitalized on 4 Aggie errors. FSU hit 3 home runs on their way to scoring 20 earned runs. Five different A&M pitchers took the mound on Sunday, each giving up at least 3 earned runs.

Game three between FSU and Texas A&M begins Monday at 7:00 p.m. EST.

University of Virginia vs. UC Irvine

After a 4 ½ hour rain delay, the Anteaters stayed alive with a 6-4 win over #1 overall seeded Virginia. LF Drew Hillman went 2-4 with a solo home run for UC Irvine.

Game three between Virginia and UC Irvine is set for Monday at 4:00 p.m. EST. 

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Super Regional Updates Day Two

Vanderbilt and North Carolina have won a berth in the College World Series.

North Carolina held off a late game rally to beat Stanford 7-5 earning a trip to the College World Series. C Jacob Stallings went 3-5 with 3 RBIs for the Tar Heels. RP Greg Holt gave up 4 ER in the 8^th to bring the Cardinal within 6-5 before the Tar Heels added another run in the 9^th.

Vanderbilt jumped on Oregon State early and kept the pressure on to win 9-3. Vanderbilt’s offense was highlighted by SS Anthony Gomez’s 4-6 and 1B Aaron Westlake’s 3-4 nights. Westlake went deep for the Commodores and knocked in 6 runs. Will Clinard earned the victory throwing 4.2 innings, 1 ER, and striking out 8. 3B Carter Bell went 2-4 and hit a solo home run for the Beavers.

Elimination Sunday

Texas ties series with Arizona State University winning 5-1. 2B Jordan Etier hit a 3-run home run in the 9^th, his second on the season, to blow the game open. Game three is at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Mississippi State ties series with Florida State winning 4-3. Nick Vickerson hit a walk-off 2-run home run with two outs in the ninth to keep Mississippi State alive in their bid for a College World Series berth. Florida C Mike Zunino, a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award, went 2-5 and he is now hitting .374 on the season. Game Three is at 1:00 p.m. EST in the Gainesville Regional.

Game 1 Updates

Texas A&M beat Florida State 6-2 behind the strong pitching of Ross Stripling.

Stripling scattered 7 hits in 7 innings to earn the victory for the Aggies. The Aggies scored 4 runs in the 7^th to take a 5-2 lead. Florida State had strong efforts at the plate by RF James Ramsey 3-4, .371, and C Rafael Lopez, 3-4, .341. Game two is at 4:00 p.m. EST in the Tallahassee Regional.

South Carolina beat Connecticut 5-1 behind Michael Roth’s outstanding pitching, 8.1 innings pitched, 1 R, O earned. The Gamecocks racked up 10 hits against Huskies pitching. Game two is at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Columbia Regional.

California beat Dallas Baptist 7-0. California’s pitching 3-hit the Patriots potent offensive lineup. Pats RF Jason Krizan 1-4, .416, and CF Landon Anderson 1-3, .358, couldn’t muster up any additional offense against the solid starting pitching of Justin Jones. Game two is at 10:00 EST in the Santa Clara Regional.

Virginia beat UC Irvine 6-0 behind 1B Jarred King’s home run and 3-4 effort, 3 RBIs. UC Irvine was held to four hits. Game two is at 1:00 p.m. EST in Charlottesville Regional.

The top 8 seeded teams going into post-season play:

Virginia

Florida

North Carolina

South Carolina

Florida State

Vanderbilt

Texas

Rice

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