Charlottesville Super Regional
Game 2: Virginia 7, Maryland 3 -- Box score
(Series tied 1-1)
Player of the game: Brandon Waddell, lhp, Virginia
Roundup: Facing elimination after losing the series opener to Maryland, Cavaliers desperately needed a strong performance from sophomore lefthanded pitcher Brandon Waddell, and got just that in a 7-3 win over Maryland. Waddell allowed just a run on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings, while the offense did enough to win. For instance, Kenny Towns, Mike Papi and Daniel Pinero each had three hits in the game, while leadoff hitter Branden Cogswell and outfielder Brandon Downes each finished the contest with a pair of hits and an RBI. The Cavaliers pulled ahead of the Terps 5-1 with a three-run seventh inning that included RBI singles from Towns and Downes, while they scored single runs in the eighth and ninth innings to seal the deal.
What's next: With the win over the Terrapins, it now sets the stage at Davenport Field for a winner-take-all series finale on Monday night.
Fort Worth Super Regional
Game 2: Pepperdine 3, Texas Christian 2 -- Box score
(Series tied at 1-1)
Player of the game: Aaron Brown, lhp/of, Pepperdine
Roundup: Kentucky has one of the nation's best in two-way star A.J. Reed, and Aaron Brown isn't far behind at all. Brown has had a terrific season for the Waves, and continued his impressive ways again Sunday afternoon in a 3-2 win over TCU to even that series at 1-1. Brown struck out four, walked two and allowed just five hits in seven shutout innings on the mound, while he also had a hit at the plate. However, once he was out of the game as a pitcher, Brown moved to center field, where he gunned down TCU's Jerrick Suiter, the tying run, at home with two outs in the top half of the eighth inning. To put it mildly, Sunday was the Aaron Brown show for the Waves.
What's next: There's a lot at stake as these two clubs get ready for Monday's series finale. The Waves are trying to get to Omaha for the first time since 1992, a year in which head coach Steve Rodriguez was a player on the team. Meanwhile, the Frogs are looking to take care of business with consistent freshman lefthanded pitcher Tyler Alexander on the bump.
Lafayette Super Regional
Game 2: Mississippi 5, Louisiana-Lafayette 2 -- Box score
(Series tied at 1-1)
Player of the game: Christian Trent, lhp, Mississippi
Roundup: After watching staff ace and righthanded pitcher Chris Ellis struggle in the series opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, it would've been easy for Trent to get rattled at the first sign the Cajuns were getting things going at the plate. However, the gritty lefty had very good fastball command, having the ability to move it around the zone, and elevate it, and put together an impressive performance in the victory. Trent struck out seven, walked two and allowed a run on four hits in seven innings, while righthanded pitcher Aaron Greenwood finished out the game by allowing a run on two hits in two innings. Ole Miss second baseman Preston Overbey led the way at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a big-time blast in the bottom of the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie, while Colby Bortles, in a pinch-hit role, knocked in a pair of runs with a single. Though his team didn't come away with a win, ULL righthanded pitcher Carson Baranik put together a quality start, allowing three runs on six hits in seven innings.
What's next: The two clubs will meet for a winner-take-all finale Monday night in Lafayette, La. The Rebels will go with righthanded pitcher Sam Smith, while the Cajuns are countering with Cody Boutte. Ole Miss is trying to make its first College World Series since 1972, while the Cajuns hope to do it for the first time since 2000.
Lubbock Super Regional
Game 2: Texas Tech 1, College of Charleston 0 -- Box score
Texas Tech advances to the College World Series
Player of the game: Dylan Dusek, lhp, Texas Tech
Roundup: Texas Tech freshman lefthanded pitcher Dylan Dusek has consistently been one of the club's better arms throughout the spring. So, perhaps we shouldn't have been remotely surprised when he went out in an NCAA Super Regional and had yet another dominant performance. Dusek struck out just two batters, but also allowed just three hits in five shutout innings to set the tone for the afternoon. Tech relievers Cameron Smith (1.1 IP), Dominic Moreno (1/2 IP) and Jonny Drozd (2 IP) led the way out of the bullpen, with Drozd not allowing a hit in two innings of work. Tech's Eric Gutierrez finished the contest with a pair of hits, while Adam Kirsch had the game-winning hit, smacking an RBI double in the fourth inning. Texas Tech didn't allow a run in this NCAA Super Regional, and only have allowed four runs in six NCAA postseason bouts.
What's next: With the win, Texas Tech secured its first College World Series appearance in school history. Meanwhile, Charleston finishes off what was a terrific campaign for coach Monte Lee and his coaching staff.
Nashville Super Regional
Game 3: Vanderbilt 12, Stanford 5
Vanderbilt advances to the College World Series
Player of the game: John Norwood, of, Vanderbilt
Roundup: The Commodores didn't reach the College World Series last season after a heartbreaking series loss to Louisville, but they're back this season after taking care of Stanford in the Nashville Super Regional finale, 12-5 behind a strong offensive performance. John Norwood went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds and Vince Conde each finished the contest with three hits, and second baseman and leadoff hitter Dansby Swanson finished the afternoon with two hits and three runs scored. Meanwhile, though starting pitcher Walker Buehler didn't have a terrific day on the mound, the 'Dores received yet another boost from young reliever Hayden Stone, who struck out eight, walked two and allowed just a run on three hits in six innings. It was a memorable night for the 'Dores, who are playing a great brand of baseball at exactly the right time.
What's next: With the win, the Commodores advance to the College World Series and could very well be one of the favorites to win the national title. Meanwhile, though Stanford's season is over, this young club set the foundation for what could be a very special next few seasons.