Austin Super Regional
Game 2: Texas 4, Houston 0 -- Box score
UT advances to the College World Series
Player of the game: Parker French, rhp, Texas
Roundup: The Longhorns culminated a magical NCAA postseason run with a 4-0 win over Houston to advance to the College World Series for the 35th time in school history. UT righthanded pitcher Parker French, just like last week, rose to the occasion, allowing just five hits in six shutout frames, while Travis Duke, Morgan Cooper and John Curtiss finished out the contest out of the bullpen. Offensively, the Longhorns got a productive performance from shortstop C.J. Hinojosa, who finished the afternoon 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
What this means: With the win over the Cougars, the Longhorns advance to the College World Series, where they'll face UC Irvine either next Friday or Saturday. Amazingly, UT's pitching staff allowed just two extra-base hits in the NCAA postseason's first two rounds, and just one in the last 40 innings of work.
Charlottesville Super Regional
Game 1: Maryland 5, Virginia 4 -- Box score
(UMd. leads series 1-0)
Player of the game: Charlie White, of, Maryland
Roundup: In what was quite a long game in Charlottesville, the Terrapins outlasted hometown Virginia 5-4 to get one step away from reaching the College World Series. Maryland starting pitcher Jake Stinnett had just an OK outing, allowing three runs on six hits in six innings of work, while leadoff hitter Charlie White set the stage with a three-hit performance, and second baseman Brandon Lowe knocked in a pair of runs. Interestingly, for the Cavaliers, sophomore lefthanded pitcher Nathan Kirby had a tough day on the mound, allowing five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, while reliever Whit Mayberry gave Virginia a chance to come back in the contest with six strikeouts in 4 1/3 shutout innings. This day, though, belonged to Maryland.
What this means: With the win over the Cavaliers, the Terps are a win away from the improbable -- getting to Omaha. Virginia absolutely has some fight left on it this weekend, but the Terps just seem like a team of destiny at this point.
Fort Worth Super Regional
Game 1: Texas Christian 3, Pepperdine 2 -- Box score
(TCU leads series 1-0)
Player of the game: Riley Ferrell, rhp, TCU
Roundup: TCU lefthanded pitcher Brandon Finnegan put together yet another impressive performance on the season in a 3-2 win over Pepperdine. Finnegan struck out seven, walked two and allowed just two runs on three hits in 6 1/3 innings, while Trey Teakell, and especially, Ferrell, were terrific out of the bullpen. Ferrell struck out four batters in 1 2/3 perfect innings. Offensively for the Frogs, third baseman Derek Odell went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, while Garrett Crain and Jerrick Suiter each finished the contest with a pair of hits. Pepperdine veteran righthanded pitcher Corey Miller walked four, struck out two and allowed three runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.
What this means: What a magical season it has been for the Horned Frogs. After missing the NCAA postseason last year, the Frogs are now a win away from getting back to the College World Series. Oh yeah, with Omaha on the line, the Frogs will go with stud righthanded pitcher Preston Morrison Saturday afternoon.
Lafayette Super Regional
Game 1: Louisiana-Lafayette 9, Mississippi 5 -- Box score
(ULL leads series 1-0)
Player of the game: Tyler Girouard, dh, Louisiana-Lafayette
Roundup: The story on the Ragin' Cajuns is pretty simple. Give them any hope at all offensively and chances are good they'll beat you into submission. That's precisely what happened Saturday night at raucous M.L. "The Tigue" Moore Stadium in Lafayette, La., in a 9-5 victory. Ole Miss carried a 3-0 advantage heading to the bottom of the third inning. However, the Cajuns fought back with a run in the bottom frame, and exploded in the third inning with a five-run frame, thanks in part to Tyler Girouard's three-run homer down the right-field line to make it 5-3 Cajuns. ULL never looked back, scoring three more runs in the fifth inning, thanks in part to Dylan Butler's towering home run to left field, among other key hits. While ULL righthanded pitcher Austin Robichaux battled his way to a decent start, Ole Miss righty Chris Ellis had an uncharacteristic poor showing, having command issues throughout and being lifted from the game after just 2 1/3 innings.
What this means: The Cajuns have had a terrific campaign, but nothing would be a success at this point without a trip to Omaha. The Cajuns are a win away from punching their ticket to the College World Series for the first time since 2000.
Louisville Super Regional
Game 2: Louisville 7, Kennesaw State 4 -- Box score
Louisville advances to the College World Series
Player of the game: Cole Sturgeon, of, Louisville
Roundup: We talked a lot about Louisville freshman Nick Solak in yesterday's NCAA Super Regionals roundup, and he's back in the discussion yet again, getting a key two-run homer in the fifth inning to help propel the Cardinals to a win over Kennesaw State to move on to Omaha. Outfielder Cole Sturgeon had a big game for the Cards, going 3-for-4 with a run scored and three RBIs, while Zach Lucas and Corey Ray each chipped in two-hit performances. The UL bullpen took care of business, too, with Cole Sturgeon and Nick Burdi once again rising to the occasion.
What this means: With the win over the Eagles, the Cardinals move on to the College World Series. It will be Louisville's third trip to Omaha as it makes a return trip after a disappointing showing there last season.
Lubbock Super Regional
Game 1: Texas Tech 1, College of Charleston 0 -- Box score
(TECH leads series 1-0)
Player of the game: Chris Sadberry, lhp, Texas Tech
Roundup: Texas Tech seasoned lefthanded pitcher Chris Sadberry has really put together a nice season for the Red Raiders, and he stepped up yet again Saturday afternoon in a 1-0 victory over Charleston in Lubbock. Sadberry struck out eight, didn't walk anyone and allowed just four hits in eight shutout frames. Meanwhile, hard-throwing righty Jonny Drozd closed things out in style with a clean ninth inning. Sadberry's performance overshadowed a gem by Charleston's Taylor Clarke, who struck out three, walked one and allowed just a run on five hits in eight innings. Tech didn't have a huge afternoon at the plate, but outfielder Tyler Neslony led the charge with a triple and an RBI.
What this means: With the win, the Red Raiders are one win away from notching the first College World Series berth in school history. Tech will send freshman lefthanded pitcher Dylan Dusek to the bump in the potentially decisive contest.
Nashville Super Regional
Game 2: Stanford 5, Vanderbilt 4 -- Box score
(Series tied at 1-1)
?Player of the game: Wayne Taylor, dh, Stanford
Roundup: The Cardinal was facing elimination Saturday afternoon against Vanderbilt, and, though they led the contest 4-1 going into the latter innings, the Commodores made things look pretty bleak by scoring two runs in the eighth and one in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 4-4 and seize the momentum. Stanford, as it has many teams down the stretch this season, showed a lot of moxie with Wayne Taylor hitting a one-out walk-off home run to win the game 5-4 and stay alive in the postseason. Taylor finished the afternoon 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, while catcher Brant Whiting went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. On the mound, Vandy starting pitcher Carson Fulmer struck out nine and allowed four runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.
What this means: Well, it all comes down to this. Three of the four NCAA Super Regionals that began on Friday have already been completed, with us all just awaiting the Nashville Super Regional winner.
Stillwater Super Regional
Game 2: UC Irvine 1, Oklahoma State 0 -- Box score
(UCI advances to the College World Series)
Player of the game: Andrew Morales, rhp, UC Irvine
Roundup: He hasn't received an overwhelming amount of fanfare nationally, but Irvine righthanded pitcher Andrew Morales once again showed Saturday night why he's one of the nation's elite arms, guiding his club to the College World Series with a 1-0 road victory over Oklahoma State. Morales struck out eight, walked two and allowed just five hits in a complete game shutout of the Cowboys. Meanwhile, OSU gambled a bit in the contest by throwing usual reliever Vince Wheeland to start the game, and he actually impressed, allowing just a run on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. Chris Rabago, Connor Spencer and Justin Castro each had two hits in the contest.
What this means: With the win over the Pokes, the Anteaters are headed back to Omaha for the first time since 2007 when then coach Dave Serrano (now at Tennessee) guided the program to new heights.
Austin Super Regional
Game 1: Texas 4, Houston 2 -- Box score
(UT leads series 1-0)
Player of the game: Nathan Thornhill, rhp, Texas
Roundup: After stifling rival Texas A&M to begin the Houston Regional last weekend, Thornhill was tremendous yet again in a win over the Cougars. Thornhill showed very good command of the strike zone, touched 91-92 on the radar gun and struck out three, while walking one and allowing just two runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. Meanwhile, the Longhorns were led at the plate by a usual suspect in outfielder Mark Payton, who had three hits, including a two-run homer in the first inning, to lead the cause. For the Cougars, hard-throwing righthanded pitcher Jake Lemoine struggled against the Longhorns, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, while only striking out a pair of hitters. The top three hitters in UH's lineup went a combined 1-for-12 in the contest.
What this means: With the season on the line Saturday afternoon against the Longhorns, the Cougars will send righthanded pitcher Aaron Garza to the mound. Garza will sit 86-90 with his fastball and goes heavy with his slider. Meanwhile, the Longhorns are countering with hard-nosed Parker French, who tossed a gem in his last start last weekend against Rice. UT would advance to the College World Series with a victory over the Cougars.
Austin Super Regional
Game 1: Texas 4, Houston 2 -- Box score
(UT leads series 1-0)
Player of the game: Nathan Thornhill, rhp, Texas
Roundup: After stifling rival Texas A&M to begin the Houston Regional last weekend, Thornhill was tremendous yet again in a win over the Cougars. Thornhill showed very good command of the strike zone, touched 91-92 on the radar gun and struck out three, while walking one and allowing just two runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. Meanwhile, the Longhorns were led at the plate by a usual suspect in outfielder Mark Payton, who had three hits, including a two-run homer in the first inning, to lead the cause. For the Cougars, hard-throwing righthanded pitcher Jake Lemoine struggled against the Longhorns, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, while only striking out a pair of hitters. The top three hitters in UH's lineup went a combined 1-for-12 in the contest.
What this means: With the season on the line Saturday afternoon against the Longhorns, the Cougars will send righthanded pitcher Aaron Garza to the mound. Garza will sit 86-90 with his fastball and goes heavy with his slider. Meanwhile, the Longhorns are countering with hard-nosed Parker French, who tossed a gem in his last start last weekend against Rice. UT would advance to the College World Series with a victory over the Cougars.
Austin Super Regional
Game 1: Texas 4, Houston 2 -- Box score
(UT leads series 1-0)
Player of the game: Nathan Thornhill, rhp, Texas
Roundup: After stifling rival Texas A&M to begin the Houston Regional last weekend, Thornhill was tremendous yet again in a win over the Cougars. Thornhill showed very good command of the strike zone, touched 91-92 on the radar gun and struck out three, while walking one and allowing just two runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. Meanwhile, the Longhorns were led at the plate by a usual suspect in outfielder Mark Payton, who had three hits, including a two-run homer in the first inning, to lead the cause. For the Cougars, hard-throwing righthanded pitcher Jake Lemoine struggled against the Longhorns, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, while only striking out a pair of hitters. The top three hitters in UH's lineup went a combined 1-for-12 in the contest.
What this means: With the season on the line Saturday afternoon against the Longhorns, the Cougars will send righthanded pitcher Aaron Garza to the mound. Garza will sit 86-90 with his fastball and goes heavy with his slider. Meanwhile, the Longhorns are countering with hard-nosed Parker French, who tossed a gem in his last start last weekend against Rice. UT would advance to the College World Series with a victory over the Cougars.
Austin Super Regional
Game 1: Texas 4, Houston 2 -- Box score
(UT leads series 1-0)
Player of the game: Nathan Thornhill, rhp, Texas
Roundup: After stifling rival Texas A&M to begin the Houston Regional last weekend, Thornhill was tremendous yet again in a win over the Cougars. Thornhill showed very good command of the strike zone, touched 91-92 on the radar gun and struck out three, while walking one and allowing just two runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. Meanwhile, the Longhorns were led at the plate by a usual suspect in outfielder Mark Payton, who had three hits, including a two-run homer in the first inning, to lead the cause. For the Cougars, hard-throwing righthanded pitcher Jake Lemoine struggled against the Longhorns, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, while only striking out a pair of hitters. The top three hitters in UH's lineup went a combined 1-for-12 in the contest.
What this means: With the season on the line Saturday afternoon against the Longhorns, the Cougars will send righthanded pitcher Aaron Garza to the mound. Garza will sit 86-90 with his fastball and goes heavy with his slider. Meanwhile, the Longhorns are countering with hard-nosed Parker French, who tossed a gem in his last start last weekend against Rice. UT would advance to the College World Series with a victory over the Cougars.