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College World Series 2011: Florida, South Carolina To Meet In Championship Series
Virginia and Cal will face-off Thursday at 7:00 p.m. EST for the right to play South Carolina on Friday and move one step closer to the College Word Series title.
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- almost 2 years ago
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College World Series 2011: 15 Seconds That Cost Florida Game 1 Against South Carolina
- almost 2 years ago
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College World Series 2011 Bracket Update: Florida, South Carolina Advance To Championship Series
Florida and South Carolina have run the table thus far and something has to give as the College World Series moves into the championship round. Both the Gators and Gamecocks completed a sweep on Friday, advancing to the finals following three-consecutive wins. Florida knocked off Vanderbilt in the early game, 6-4, and South Carolina finished off a marathon by eliminating Virginia, 3-2 to set up the three-game series for the title.
The Gators did it the easy way, at least by comparison. Florida opened with an 8-4 over Texas and knocked off Vanderbilt, 3-1, to take control of the top-half of the bracket. On Friday, the Gators downed Vanderbilt a second time, earning the right to play for the NCAA championship.
South Carolina opened its College World Series with a 5-4 win over Texas A&M and, like Florida, moved into the driver's seat with a 7-1 win over Virginia in the second round. In Friday's rematch, however, the task was tougher, and it took extra innings for the Gamecocks to advance. After 13 grueling innings, a throwing error gave South Carolina a 3-2 win over Virginia, setting up next week's championship series.
For a look back at the College World Series bracket, visit the NCAA website. The championship gets underway on Monday as Florida and South Carolina take the field in Omaha.
For the latest on the tournament, head to the 2011 College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there.
- almost 2 years ago
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PHOTO: South Carolina Closer Becomes Bubble Boy After Excessive Pitching
- almost 2 years ago
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College World Series Bracket Update: South Carolina Eliminates Virginia After Series Of Errors
Virginia and South Carolina appeared to be destined to play all night in the College World Series. But thanks to back-to-back errors by Virginia pitcher Cody Winiarski, South Carolina was finally able to break a 2-2 tie, advance to the College World Series finals on a walk-off bunt-single-error, or something of the sort. Virginia heads home after putting up a valiant fight, but falling just short in the end.
With a runner on second, the Gamecocks were trying to just bunt the runner over with a sacrifice. Winiarski fielded the bunt cleanly, appeared to have time to get the runner at second, but threw the ball into center field. Fast forward to the next batter with the same situation. Again Winiarski field the ball, but this time he tries to get the lead runner at third -- who would've been safe anyway. The throw was off-line, Adam Matthews took home on the throwing error and South Carolina had itself a 3-2 win.
Virginia had it's chances -- and I do mean chances. Four times from the eighth inning on, Virginia had the bases loaded. Each and every time, the Cavaliers came away empty-handed, including a line-out, putout double-play in the top of the 13th. In a game that featured valiant efforts by the closers, it was disappointing that it all came down to throwing errors.
South Carolina advances to face Florida in the College World Series Championship on Monday. The Gamecocks and Gators will battle it out in a best-of-three series in Omaha.
- almost 2 years ago
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College World Series Scores: Virginia, South Carolina Still Plugging Along, Closers Throwing Like Starters
It's clear neither manager in the College World Series matchup between the Virginia Cavaliers and South Carolina Gamecocks wants to burn his bullpen. So when the closers were called into pitch the worst-case scenario was a game that stretched deep into extra innings. Yet here we are in the top of the 13th inning, and the closers are still pitching.
Virginia's Branden Kline has thrown 107 pitches while South Carolina's Matt Price has thrown 87. Both have thrown well, though, and have stayed out of trouble. Neither has given up a run as the Gamecocks and Cavaliers battle back-and-forth in extras. The game's been knotted at two since the eighth inning, when Virginia scored a run to make it a ballgame and stave-off elimination.
Virginia must win on Friday night to stay alive while South Carolina can afford to lose. If the Gamecocks do win, they'll head to the College World Series finals. At this point, coming back for Saturday's game could be a nightmare for both teams after the lengthy affair on Friday night.
In the top of the 13th, South Carolina and Virginia are all tied up at two.
For the latest on the tournament, head to the 2011 College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there.
- almost 2 years ago
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College World Series Scores: Virginia, South Carolina In A Marathon
Virginia doesn't want to go home and South Carolina doesn't want to come back on Saturday for a decisive game with a berth in the College World Series finals on the line. In the nightcap in Omaha, the Cavaliers and Gamecocks are deadlocked through 11 innings, and the end appears to be nowhere in sight. It's all tied at two heading into the 12th in Omaha as both teams partake in a pitchers duel.
The closers for each team have still been going strong, throwing multiple innings after being called in late. With the possibility of a game on Saturday, the managers are still conserving their pitching staff, though with the South Carolina closer above 70 pitches one has to wonder if he'll be run into the ground.
Virginia scored first and was in complete control early thanks to Danny Hultzen's superb performance. But Hultzen tired fast, the victim of an illness, and South Carolina pounced to take a 2-1 lead. Virginia answered in the eighth, knotting the game at two and eventually forcing extras. Which leads us to where we are now.
In the top of the 12th, Virginia and South Carolina are tied at two in the College World Series. If Virginia wins, these same two teams will be back at it again on Saturday. If South Carolina wins, it advances to the finals, and Virginia goes home.
For the latest on the tournament, head to the 2011 College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there.
- almost 2 years ago
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VIDEO: Mike Zunino Breaks Composite Bat In College World Series
- almost 2 years ago
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College World Series: Danny Hultzen Pitches Beautifully, But Virginia Trails 2-1 After Four Innings
You knew this was going to happen. Virginia pitcher Danny Hultzen struck out eight of the nine batters he faced and generally flustered the South Carolina offense through the first three innings. He was almost unhittable.
Hultzen also had the flu. Which might make the performance all the more impressive, though stifling the offense of the defending national champions through three innings is impressive to begin with.
The illness is also the reason that Hultzen left the game after the third inning. The question was always how long the Cavs would stay with their starter.
Once Hultzen walked off the mound and was replaced by Kyle Crockett, South Carolina strung together three hits and a hit batter to score a pair of runs and take the lead.
Not that South Carolina starter Michael Roth has looked like chopped liver. Roth has struck out two and allowed just one run on one hit through four innings. But if Virginia is eliminated tonight, it won’t be because of their starting pitcher. It will be at least in part because of the flu.
- almost 2 years ago
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College World Series Scores: Florida Eliminates Vanderbilt, Advances To Finals
The Florida Gators booked a ticket to the College World Series final on Friday afternoon and remained perfect in Omaha with a 6-4 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Commodores clawed back after falling to Florida earlier in the week, eliminating North Carolina in a loser-out game on Wednesday to set up the rematch. The Gators only needed to win once in two attempts, but took care of business right away to take drama out of the equation.
Florida fell behind early, giving up a run in the top of the first on an Aaron Westlake home run. In the third, the Gators got the run back before scoring two more in the fourth take take a 3-1 lead. Florida added one more in the sixth and were seemingly in control, leading 4-1 heading into the late innings.
Vanderbilt did make it interesting, though, scoring two in the seventh and another in the eighth to knot the game at four. But in the bottom of the eighth, the Gators seized control for good, scoring two runs that turned out to be the game-winners. Preston Tucker singled, bringing Daniel Pigott home for the go-ahead run. The next batter, Mike Zunino, struck out and would've ended the inning, had the pitch not gotten by the Vanderbilt catcher. As it was, Zunino ended up on first and Cody Dent came around to score, giving the Gators an insurance run.
A scoreless top of the ninth ended the Commodores hopes and Florida advanced to the College World Series finals. The Gators will face either South Carolina or Virginia in the finals. The Gamecocks and Cavaliers play Friday evening, but Virginia must win twice -- on Friday and Saturday -- to advance.
For the latest on the tournament, head to the 2011 College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there.
- almost 2 years ago
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College World Series 2011 Bracket Update: Four Teams Remain Alive In Omaha
After Virginia's elimination of California on Thursday night, just four teams remain in the hunt at the 2011 College World Series — and an SEC team will be playing for the national title.
The SEC East produced three teams that were perpetually in the top five of college baseball polls this season in Florida, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, and all three have made it to NCAA baseball's equivalent of the Final Four. Virginia, by comparison, was the ACC's dominant team, and took out Cal, a program that was on life support midway through the season, twice to stay alive in Omaha. The four remaining teams in Omaha are the heavyweights of this year in college baseball, and with Cal's elimination, Cinderella is finally long gone.
In the first bracket, Florida and Vanderbilt will play on Friday at 2 p.m.; if the Gators win, they advance to the second College World Series Championship Series in program history. If Vanderbilt wins — the Commodores are 1-4 against Florida this year — then the teams will play again on Saturday, with the winner heading to the championship series.
It's the same sort of story in the second bracket: defending national champion South Carolina can eliminate Virginia and earn its second consecutive trip to the championship series at 7 p.m. on Friday, while the Cavaliers can force a winner-take-all rematch on Saturday with a Friday triumph.
Both of those games will be shown on ESPN, as will a potential Florida-Vanderbilt game on Saturday; a Saturday game between South Carolina and Virginia would be shown on ESPN2. The championship series will be televised on ESPN, and will begin on Monday at 8 p.m.; its Game 2 is Tuesday at 8 p.m., and a Game 3, if necessary, would be Wednesday at 8 p.m.
All of the 2011 College World Series games can be streamed online at ESPN3.com.
Author's note: a previous version of this story had California advancing, not Virginia, due to a catastrophic error on my part. I regret and apologize for the error, and thank Chris Mycoskie for bringing it to my attention.
For the latest on the tournament, head to the 2011 College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there.
- almost 2 years ago
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College World Series 2011 TV Schedule: Coverage Begins With Florida, Vanderbilt At 2 P.M.
It's crunch-time in the College World Series and two berths in the finals are on the line on Friday. For the South Carolina Gamecocks and Florida Gators, one win in the next two days will get them through to the finals -- both are in the driver's seat in their respective brackets after surviving the week without a loss. The Vanderbilt Commodores and Virginia Cavaliers, on the other hand, face an uphill battle, and must win twice in consecutive days while facing the same team.
The day begins in Omaha at 2 p.m. as Florida and Vanderbilt battle it out in the top-half of the bracket. A Florida win puts the Gators in the final while a Vanderbilt win brings both teams back for another matchup on Saturday. At 7 p.m., South Carolina and Virginia square-off in the nightcap, and the situation is the same as the first game. A South Carolina win sends the Gamecocks through and a Virginia win forces the decisive game on Saturday.
Both games can be found on ESPN, with coverage beginning at 2 p.m. EDT. An online stream of the game can be found at ESPN3.com, as well. You can find a look at the full schedule and bracket here.
For the latest on the tournament, head College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there
- almost 2 years ago
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NCAA Baseball Scores: Cal Eliminated From College World Series With Loss To Virginia, 8-1
The California Golden Bears' dream run at the College World Series is over after the Virginia Cavaliers staved off elimination with an 8-1 win. Cal dropped its first game in Omaha, but bounced back to eliminate Texas A&M before falling to Virginia on Thursday evening.
Virginia scored in bunches while relying on its pitching to keep the Bears at bay. The Cavaliers scored two runs in the top of the third before pouring it on in the sixth, scoring four runs to take a 6-0 lead. Cal finally got on the board in the eighth, but Virginia added two more insurance runs in the ninth inning to put it away.
When all was said and done, Virginia had an 8-1 win and stayed alive to fight another day. The Cavaliers will advance to battle South Carolina for the right to play in the final series. Virginia must win twice to advance while the Gamecocks must only win once to move-on.
For the latest on the tournament, head College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there. For more on this game, Virginia fans should check out Streaking The Lawn and California fans should visit California Golden Blogs.
- almost 2 years ago
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Virginia Vs. Cal, NCAA Baseball Score: Cavaliers Add To Lead, Up 6-0 After Six
The Cal Golden Bears are going to need some late-inning offense if they want to advance to another 2011 College World Series elimination game on Friday. But they'll need to do just that, as they are down, 6-0, to the Virginia Cavaliers.
After scoring two runs in the third inning, the Cavs came back in the top of the sixth inning with four more runs. Kenny Swab put the first run on the board when he singled to center field, but a fielding error by Darrel Matthews sent Swab all the way home. David Coleman followed with a double and scored on a Keith Werman single. Chris Taylor doubled in Werman, and Taylor scored on a John Barr single.
Cal starter Dixon Anderson left after three innings, having allowed two runs. Kevin Miller relieved and allowed four runs, though the fourth run scored on Louie Lechich's time on the mound. Virginia's Tyler Wilson has kept the Bears to just three hits through six innings and he has struck out five batters.
For the latest on the tournament, head College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there. For more on this game, Virginia fans should check out Streaking The Lawn and California fans should visit California Golden Blogs.
- almost 2 years ago
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College World Series 2011, Virginia Vs. Cal Score: Cavaliers Jump Out To 2-0 Lead
The Virginia Cavaliers scored first in their 2011 College World Series elimination game with the Cal Golden Bears to lead after three innings. After two scoreless innings to start the night, Virginia found Jared King and Keith Werman on first and second after a single and a throwing error by Dixon Anderson (he pulled Devon Rodriguez off the bag). A sacrifice moved the runners to second and third base. A wild pitch by Anderson and a sac fly put two runs on the board.
Dixon was able to work out of the inning, but he's up to 48 pitches through three innings. Virginia's Tyler Wilson has kept the Cal offense to two hits in three innings and has struck out two. Cal still has plenty of time left to keep its storybook run going.
For the latest on the tournament, head College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there. For more on this game, Virginia fans should check out Streaking The Lawn and California fans should visit California Golden Blogs.
- almost 2 years ago
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Virginia and Cal will face-off Thursday at 7:00 p.m. EST for the right to play South Carolina on Friday and move one step closer to the College Word Series title. Cal or Virginia would need to beat South Carolina twice to advance, but, one thing at a time.
It's apropos for these Bears that they'll see Virginia here in a do-or-die situation. The Bears made things hard on themselves by losing their opening game Saturday to Virginia in the double-elimination tournament. Cal then beat Texas A&M while Virginia dropped one to South Carolina, leading up to this game.
Still, it's been that kind of season for Cal, who is playing in what might be considered the most improbable season in their history.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 as well as ESPN3.com.
For the latest on the tournament, head College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there. For more on this game, Virginia fans should check out Streaking The Lawn and California fans should visit California Golden Blogs.