Regionals Roundup: What a finish

LSU had hoped to finish things off at the Baton Rouge Regional, setting up a potential dream NCAA Super Regional showdown with Texas. However, Todd Whitting’s Houston Cougars had other plans in a 12-2 route of the Tigers to move on to the next round. Though UH freshman pitcher Andrew Lantrip wasn’t great, allowing two runs on four hits in 2 2/3 innings, reliever Jared Robinson, who was heavily used earlier this weekend, was terrific, striking out eight, walking one and allowing just four hits in 6 1/3 shutout innings … Offensively, young guys such as third baseman Connor Hollis had impressive performances. Hollis went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while outfielder Ashford Fulmer went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

Stanford shortstop Tommy Edman hit a one-out walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Cardinal a thrilling 5-4 win over Indiana on the road to advance to the NCAA Super Regional round. Edman finished the 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while the bullpen rose to the occasion in the victory with Marcus Brakeman allowing just a urn on six hits in 4 2/3 innings and Cal Quantrill allowing just a run on four hits in 2 1/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, Indiana catcher Kyle Schwarber, in what likely is his final collegiate game, went 3-for-5 with a double, home run and two RBIs.

Miami outlasted Texas Tech in the resumption of the first title game between the two teams earlier in the day with a 2-1 triumph. However, the Red Raiders stepped up in the second title game with starting pitcher Cameron Smith being brilliant in the process. Smith struck out three and did manage to walk five batters, but also only allowed three hits in a complete-game shutout performance. Tim Proudfoot and Devon Conley led the Red Raiders at the plate with a pair of hits. With the win, the Red Raiders are appearing in their first NCAA Super Regional in program history.

UC Irvine put on a clinic about playing good baseball over the weekend in the Corvallis Regional. Anteaters starting pitcher Andrew Morales struck out five, walked one and allowed just a run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings, while Evan Manarino allowed just a run on two hits in 3 1/3 innings in a thrilling 4-2 win over Oregon State to advance to the NCAA Super Regional round. Meanwhile, Oregon State starting pitcher Jake Thompson allowed three runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings of work. Remember, UC Irvine, which now heads to Stillwater, Okla., to face Oklahoma State, was one of the last five teams in the postseason field.

Long Beach State beat North Carolina 12-5 earlier in the day to stay alive in the Gainesville Regional. However, the Dirtbags were unable to take care of business in the nightcap, dropping a tough 4-2 decision to College of Charleston, which now heads to West Texas to face surging Texas Tech. Charleston freshman pitcher Tyler Thornton was terrific for Monte Lee’s club, striking out four, walking just one and allowed two runs on four hits in a complete game performance. Meanwhile, Carl Wise went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI to lead the offensive charge. Charleston is making its second NCAA Super Regional appearance.

Texas RHP Chad Hollingsworth put together an absolute gem as the Longhorns defeated rival Texas A&M 4-1 to advance to the NCAA Super Regional round. Hollingsworth, making his first start of the season, struck out three and allowed just a run on two hits in a complete game performance. Meanwhile, shortstop C.J. Hinojosa went 3-for-3 with an RBI to lead the offensive charge. The Longhorns move on to play Houston at home. UT is 1-0 against the Cougars this season, with the only meeting coming in early March at the Houston College Classic. 

Louisiana-Lafayette spark plug second baseman Jace Conrad went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, as the Ragin’ Cajuns defeated Mississippi State 5-3 to advance to the NCAA Super Regional round. While Conrad led the charge at the plate, outfielder Caleb Adams went 2-for-3 in the contest. Meanwhile, on the mound, ULL starting pitcher Ryan Wilson allowed three runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings, while reliever Matt Pitt allowed just two hits in 2 1/3 innings of work. ULL will now host Ole Miss at home next weekend.

Ole Miss righthanded pitcher Sam Smith struck out a batter and allowed just two runs (none earned) on six hits in 4 2/3 innings, as the Rebels defeated Washington 3-2 to advance to the NCAA Super Regional round. While Smith led the charge on the mound, reliever Scott Weathersby was the key, striking out six, walking just two and allowing two hits in 5 1/3 shutout innings to close out the contest. Offensively, designated hitter Colby Bortles hit a home run and had two hits and two RBIs, while Will Allen and Braxton Lee each had two hits.

Kennesaw State pieced everything together Monday afternoon in a 4-2 win over Alabama to advance to the program’s first NCAA Super Regional in its first NCAA appearance. Kennesaw starting pitcher Jordan Hillyer tossed 2 1/3 shutout innings to start the game, while Travis Bergen and Justin McCalvin were fantastic to close things out, with Bergen allowing just a hit in 3 1/3 innings of work. Offensively, Jacob Bruce went 2-for-3 with an RBI.