CHARLOTTESVILLE SUPER REGIONAL
UC IRVINE AT VIRGINIA
The skinny: What a bizarre afternoon it was for Virginia ace pitcher Danny Hultzen. Hultzen only allowed three hits and no runs in 5 1/3 innings, but only struck out three hitters and had command issues at times. The Cavaliers, though, took a commanding 1-0 lead in the NCAA Super Regional series against UC Irvine with an impressive 6-0 triumph. It’s also worth noting starter turned reliever Cody Winiarski tossed 3 2/3 innings of fantastic relief work, while Jared King, Kenny Swab, Steven Proscia and Chris Taylor led the way at the plate. UC Irvine starting pitcher Matt Summers struck out just three batters and allowed five runs on nine hits in six innings in the losing cause.
Turning point : UC Irvine starting pitcher Matt Summers and Virginia starter Danny Hultzen were entangled in somewhat of a pitcher’s duel for the first few innings. The Cavaliers led the Anteaters 2-0 heading to the bottom of the sixth inning, certainly a manageable deficit for Mike Gillespie’s club. However, Virginia first baseman Jared King launched a three-run home run in the inning to extend the Cavaliers’ lead to 5-0. A five-run lead put the Cavaliers in total control the rest of the way.
Player of the game: 1B Jared King, Virginia – Though Hultzen and Winiarski could lay claim to this award, there was no player more valuable than King. He essentially put the exclamation point on a fantastic series-opening win. King went 3-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and three RBIs to lead the Cavaliers’ cause.
Looking ahead : With already the upper hand in the series, the red-hot Cavaliers hope to close out the series with a victory in Game 2 on Sunday. The Cavaliers will send Will Roberts, who has a phenomenal 1.61 ERA, to the mound, while the Anteaters likely will throw Matt Whitehouse, who has a fabulous 2.14 ERA in 67 1/3 innings. It’s important the Anteaters get off to a hot start on Sunday.
Virginia leads series 1-0
GAINESVILLE SUPER REGIONAL
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT FLORIDA
The skinny: Florida stud freshman starting pitcher Karsten Whitson put together a solid start, allowing just two runs in six innings, but the Gators were unable to hold off gritty Mississippi State in a disappointing 4-3 loss to force a series finale on Sunday. State second baseman Nick Vickerson hit a walk-off home run in the ninth inning and had a huge day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs. Designated hitter Cody Freeman and outfielder Brent Brownlee also knocked in runs.
Turning point : You obviously can point to Nick Vickerson’s walk-off two-run home run in the ninth inning as the turning point of the game, but the true turning point came in the fourth inning when reliever Caleb Reed replaced struggling starting pitcher Nick Routt. Reed was phenomenal in relief and kept the Bulldogs in the game. He only struck out two batters, but allowed just a run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Player of the game: P Caleb Reed, Mississippi State – Some might disagree here and go with Vickerson because of his walk-off home run, but the Bulldogs likely wouldn’t have been in position to beat the Gators without Reed’s outstanding relief performance. Reed’s 5 1/3 innings pitched and 83 total pitches was something of beauty for John Cohen’s club. It also kept their season alive.
Looking ahead : Mississippi State received a huge emotional boost with a thrilling victory on Saturday, while Florida’s players looked shocked in the dugout after suffering a setback. It’ll be interesting to see how both clubs approach Sunday’s series finale. The Gators aren’t real sure who will start the Gainesville Super Regional finale while the Bulldogs are countering with smallish left-handed pitcher Luis Pollorena. Pollorena has a 3.97 ERA in 56 2/3 innings and teams are hitting him at a .264 clip. A trip to Omaha comes down to one last game.
Mississippi State and Florida tied 1-1
CHAPEL HILL SUPER REGIONAL
STANFORD AT NORTH CAROLINA
The skinny: North Carolina freshman pitcher Kent Emanuel put together another fantastic start and the Tar Heels took care of business at the plate, as they punched their ticket to the College World Series with a thrilling 7-5 victory over Stanford. While Emanuel led the way on the mound, Jacob Stallings, Ben Bunting and Brian Holberton led the way at the plate. Stallings went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs while Bunting recorded two hits and Holberton had a key two-RBI double in the game. For Stanford, starting pitcher Jordan Pries didn’t emulate his performance from last week, striking out just two batters and allowing three runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Turning point : Fortunately, the insanely long rain delay didn’t affect the final result after resuming in the top of the ninth inning. Stanford got off to a hot start against North Carolina, scoring a run in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Tar Heels, though, turned the game around in the fourth inning with three runs off a Ben Bunting RBI single and a Brian Holberton two-RBI double. Though the Cardinal rallied late in the game, the big fourth inning set the tone for the game.
Player of the game: P Kent Emanuel, North Carolina – You can say what you want about the other key producers for the Tar Heels, but no single player had more of an impact on the game than Emanuel. The talented freshman left-hander was fabulous, striking out five and allowing a run on five hits in six innings to earn his 8th win of the season. Emanuel’s earned-run average dropped to 2.55 with the performance.
Looking ahead : The Tar Heels punched their ticket to Omaha with another win over the Cardinal. The Tar Heels now have the tough chore of facing ace pitcher Sonny Gray and Vanderbilt in the opening game of the College World Series. The Heels, though, certainly have a great starter to unleash in right-hander Patrick Johnson. It’s good to see UNC back in Omaha after a one-year hiatus.
North Carolina advances to College World Series
COLUMBIA SUPER REGIONAL
CONNECTICUT AT SOUTH CAROLINA
The skinny: One of college baseball’s premier pitching duels was expected to take place with Connecticut’s Matt Barnes and South Carolina’s Michael Roth on the mound. Only Roth apparently got the memo in a 5-1 Gamecocks triumph. Barnes was rusty for the second-straight week, striking out six batters, but allowing five runs on eight hits in just 4 1/3 innings. Roth, meanwhile, once again put together a fabulous performance. Offensively, Gamecocks second baseman Scott Wingo recorded two hits and knocked in two runs, while outfielders Evan Marzilli and Steven Neff finished the contest with a pair of hits.
Turning point : South Carolina carried just a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning, with the Huskies most certainly still within striking distance. The Gamecocks, though, made sure a comeback wasn’t possible with three runs in the bottom frame on RBI hits from Scott Wingo and Christian Walker and another run scored on a throwing error. The Gamecocks didn’t look back after getting some cushion.
Player of the game: P Michael Roth, South Carolina – The Gamecocks simply can’t say enough about what the talented left-handed pitcher has done this season. He once again was fabulous in a winning performance over Connecticut. Roth struck out just two batters, but allowed just a run (none earned) on six hits in 8 1/3 innings. The win was Roth’s 13th of the season.
Looking ahead : Should Connecticut feel a little down about losing the series opener to the Gamecocks, it should look no further than last week when it dropped a contest to Coastal Carolina, only to rebound by winning the Clemson Regional. With two games to win to get to Omaha, the Huskies will send senior left-handed pitcher Greg Nappo to the mound. Nappo has a 2.55 ERA in 88 1/3 innings and teams are hitting him at a .216 clip. South Carolina, meanwhile, is countering with steady sophomore Colby Holmes.
South Carolina leads series 1-0
TALLAHASSEE SUPER REGIONAL
TEXAS A&M AT FLORIDA STATE
The skinny: With ace left-handed pitcher Sean Gilmartin on the mound and a solid offense playing at home, Florida State entered Saturday’s contest against Texas A&M feeling good about its situation. Well, that was until A&M starting pitcher Ross Stripling bested the lefty on the way to a somewhat surprising 6-2 Aggies victory over Gilmartin and the Seminoles. While Stripling led the way on the mound for the Aggies, outfielder Brandon Wood went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs and shortstop Kenny Jackson went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. For Florida State, Gilmartin struck out eight batters but allowed five runs on six hits in seven innings. Rafael Lopez and James Ramsey each had three hits for the Seminoles, but the rest of the lineup was unable to muster much.
Turning point : When Florida State first baseman Jayce Boyd hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to give the Seminoles a 2-1 lead with Gilmartin on the mound, all seemed to be well at Dick Howser Stadium. That was until the Aggies erupted for four runs in the top of the seventh inning and another in the eighth to take a 6-2 lead and total control of the contest. The Aggies never looked back after that point.
Player of the game: P Ross Stripling, Texas A&M – The Aggies had several players that rose to the occasion in the series opener against the Seminoles, but no single player was more impressive than the talented right-handed pitcher. Stripling was fantastic despite a slow start, striking out eight and allowing just two runs on seven hits in seven innings to earn his 14th win of the season. Some would argue that Stripling is A&M’s best pitcher right now.
Looking ahead : It was thought earlier this week that A&M’s best chance to win this series was to take care of business in the final two games. But now, with Stripling besting Gilmartin, the Aggies are in tremendous shape with either Michael Wacha or Derrick Hadley waiting in the wings. Starting Hadley would be a bit of a gamble for the Aggies, but it’s a luxury they have sitting at 1-0 in the series. For the Seminoles, senior two-way star Mike McGee will get the start. And though he has been good at times this season, he also can be shaky. It’s imperative he gets FSU off to a fast start. Otherwise, chances are good the Aggies are making Omaha reservations tomorrow night.
Texas A&M leads series 1-0
NASHVILLE SUPER REGIONAL
OREGON STATE AT VANDERBILT
The skinny: Pitchers Grayson Garvin and Will Clinard teamed up on the mound and the offense ultra productive as Vanderbilt captured a dominating 9-3 win over Oregon State to advance to the College World Series. Garvin allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings while Clinard allowed a run on two hits in 4 2/3 innings. Offensively, Aaron Westlake led the way with a trio of home runs while shortstop Anthony Gomez went 4-for-6 with three runs scored and two RBIs. For Oregon State, starting pitcher Ben Wetzler allowed two runs in four innings while the bullpen failed to take care of business down the stretch.
Turning point : Vanderbilt once again got off to a hot start with a two-run first inning, but Oregon State eventually tied the game a couple of innings later. The Commodores carried a 3-2 lead into the top of the sixth inning, with the Beavers still very much within striking distance. Vandy, though, broke the game open in the top half of the sixth with a four-run frame that included a two-RBI hit from Anthony Gomez and one of three home runs off the bat of hard-hitting first baseman Aaron Westlake.
Player of the game: 1B Aaron Westlake, Vanderbilt – Is there any question at all that Westlake was the Player of the Game? We think not. The hard-hitting veteran had a huge night to remember forever. He went 3-for-4 with a trio of home runs, three runs scored and six RBIs to lead the Commodores to Omaha.
Looking ahead : The win by Vanderbilt advances it to the College World Series, where ace right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray likely will toe the rubber against North Carolina ace pitcher Patrick Johnson to start the tournament.
Vanderbilt advances to College World Series
AUSTIN SUPER REGIONAL
ARIZONA STATE AT TEXAS
The skinny: After dropping the series opener Friday with ace pitcher Taylor Jungmann on the mound, the Longhorns desperately needed a strong start from senior right-handed pitcher Cole Green on Saturday. Green accomplished that goal in a thrilling 5-1 victory over Arizona State. Green struck out four batters and allowed just a run on six hits in five innings to earn his eighth win of the season. UT relievers Hoby Milner, Kendal Carrillo, Andrew McKirahan and Corey Knebel also threw well. For Arizona State, starting pitcher Kramer Champlin had control issues and allowed two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Turning point : Texas led Arizona State 2-1 heading to the bottom of the seventh inning. The Sun Devils began the inning with a leadoff single from Xorge Carrillo before Zack MacPhee sacrifice bunted to move him over to second. After an Andy Workman strikeout to make it two outs, leadoff hitter Johnny Ruettiger hit a shot to the hole at second base, where Texas second baseman Jordan Etier made a tremendous play but failed to get Ruettiger at first base. Mike Benjamin, who pinch ran for Carrillo, attempted to go home, but Texas first baseman Tant Shepherd nailed him at home for the final out of the inning. The Longhorns never lost the momentum again.
Player of the game: 2B Jordan Etier, Texas -- Etier put together a poor performance in the series opener against the Sun Devils, but rose to the occasion in a big way in the field and at the plate in Game 2. In the field, he made a few fantastic players. At the plate, he went 3-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and three RBIs. What a difference a day made for the Longhorns' second baseman.
Looking ahead : Arizona State controlled the series opener against the Longhorns, while Texas responded in Game 2 with an impressive performance. Now, with a trip to the College World Series on the line, the Longhorns will send left-hander Sam Stafford to the mound, who has been solid the past few weeks. ASU, meanwhile, didn’t name a starter after Saturday’s loss, but likely will start left-hander Mitchell Lambson, who was fantastic in relief against the Longhorns in the series opener.
Arizona State and Texas tied at 1-1
SANTA CLARA SUPER REGIONAL
DALLAS BAPTIST AT CALIFORNIA
The skinny: California starting pitcher Justin Jones tossed six shutout innings and reliever Logan Scott tossed three shutout frames as the Golden Bears moved a step closer to another College World Series appearance with a 7-0 triumph over Dallas Baptist. While Jones and Scott led the way on the mound, right fielder Chad Bunting knocked in three runs on a home run and shortstop Marcus Semien went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. For the Patriots, starting pitcher Brandon Williamson allowed seven runs on 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings. It’s also worth noting their potent offense only mustered three hits.
Turning point : California and Dallas Baptist were scoreless entering the second inning, but that changed when red-hot Cal slugger Chad Bunting blasted a three-run home run to give the Golden Bears a 3-0 lead early in the game. Cal starting pitcher Justin Jones was fantastic and the Bears never looked back.
Player of the game: P Justin Jones, California – The Golden Bears couldn’t have gotten a better start to begin the weekend series. The talented left-handed pitcher struck out three and allowed just a hit in six shutout innings to earn his ninth win of the season. Unfortunately, Jones left the game with an injury and his prognosis still isn’t known entering Sunday’s contest.
Looking ahead : California is a win away from returning to the College World Series for the first time since 1992. The Golden Bears will send stud pitcher Erik Johnson to the mound. He has a 2.91 ERA in 96 innings and teams are hitting him at a .194 clip. DBU, meanwhile, will counter with Jared Stafford, who has a 3.03 ERA in 101 innings with teams hitting him at a .239 clip.
California leads series 1-0