College World Series Updates, Day 5

Vanderbilt Commodores vs. North Carolina Tar Hills

Wasted opportunities and taking advantage of opportunities was the story of the game when Vanderbilt kept their College World Series hopes alive by beating the UNC Tar Hills 5-1 Wednesday night.

RHP Greg Holt, an 8^th round draft pick by the Washington Nationals, was rocked by the Commodores for 5 earned runs in 2.2 innings of pitching. The Commodores jumped on Holt from the beginning. Lead off hitter LF Tony Kemp hit a triple to center then scored on a sacrifice fly by SS Anthony Gonzalez. Vandy kept the heat on in the second inning with a lead off hit, a walk, and a 3-run homer by CF Connor Harrell; Harrell went 2-3 with 3 RBIs and a run scored. DH Gregor went 2-2 raising his season batting average to .353 for Vanderbilt. In the third inning C Curt Casali hit a solo home run ending Holtz’s night.

UNC’s bullpen would come in and shutdown Vanderbilt’s run production over the remaining 5.1 innings but the damage was done. Vanderbilt pitcher Taylor Hill threw 7 strong innings giving up 1 ER, 4 hits, and struck out 4 earning the win. Hill did walk 4 Tar Hill players but the Tar Hills could never come through with the clutch hits they needed. In the 5^th inning UNC had the bases loaded with one out but could only manage one run on a ball hit to first to score the run. C Jacob Stallings ended his season going 2-4 for the Tar Hills.

Vanderbilt’s win assures the SEC of one team in the NCAA Championship game and at the minimum a second place finish for the 2011 NCAA Baseball season. South Carolina could make the NCAA Championship game an all SEC showdown.

Vanderbilt (54-11) will play the Florida Gators (52-17) Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. EST.

Thursday’s Game

In an elimination game, the University of Virginia (55-11) will play the California Bears (38-22) at 7:00 p.m. EST.

South Carolina will play the winner of the UV vs. Cal game Friday night at 7:00 p.m. EST.

The Championship Series is set to begin Monday night at 8:00 p.m. EST. The Championship round is a best of 3 series. 

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College World Series Updates

Bracket One

North Carolina vs. Vanderbilt

College World Series play began Saturday with Vanderbilt taking on North Carolina. Vanderbilt will be the first team to tell you having a strong bullpen can make all the difference in the College World Series. North Carolina roughed up Vanderbilt’s starting pitcher, Sonny Gray (1^st round draft pick for the Oakland A’s), for 8 hits, 3 ER, 5 BB in 4.2 innings. Corey Williams came in to shut the door on the Tar Hills with 2.2 innings of shut out relief pitching to earn the win. Will Clinard and Kevin Ziomek combined for 1.2 innings of relief pitching with 0 ER.

Both teams brought their offense to Omaha as the Commodores had 10 hits and the Tar Hills had 11. UNC was led by 3B Collin Moran going 3-4 with 2 RBIs and Vanderbilt by lead-off hitter LF Tony Kemp going 3-4 with 1 RBI and 1 BB.

University of Texas vs. University of Florida

University of Texas lost 8-4 to University of Florida in Game 2 of Bracket 1 play in the College World Series on Saturday.

UF starting pitcher, Hudson Randall, was able to overcome 2 Florida errors and 4 unearned runs to beat the Longhorns. Randall only gave up 1 earned run on 5 hits in 6.2 innings pitched. Florida’s bullpen was able to 2.1 innings of no-hit shutout relief to close the game.

Florida’s offense was paced by CF Bryson Smith’s 2-2 effort with 2 runs, 2 RBIs, and 2 walks. Texas SS Brandon Loy continued his strong season at the plate with a 2-4 night.

Texas’ starting pitcher, Taylor Jungmann labored through 4.1 innings giving up 4 earned runs on only 3 hits but giving up 4 walks.

Vanderbilt will play Florida Monday night at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Florida was 2-1 vs. Vanderbilt during the regular season and 1-0 in the SEC Tournament winning 6-5, losing 14-1, and winning 6-3 in 12 innings. Florida beat Vanderbilt in the SEC Tourney Championship Game 5-0.

North Carolina will play Texas Monday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. EST in the loser’s bracket.

North Carolina and Texas did not meet in 2011 regular season action.

Sunday’s Games

University of California vs. University of Virginia at 2:00 p.m. EST.

University of South Carolina vs. Texas A&M University at 7:00 p.m. EST. 

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