Super regionals roundup for the games on Sunday, June 9th.
Evansville‘s run to within a game of Omaha came to a lopsided end against Tennessee as the host Volunteers flexed their offensive muscle in a decisive win. For the third time in four years, Tennessee is back to the College World Series and did so behind seven home runs — matching a program single-game record.
Zander Sechrist quieted the Purple Aces bats over six-plus innings, allowing one unearned run while striking out six. He had an abundance of run support as Christian Moore and Dalton Bargo both homered twice while Dean Curley, Billy Amick, and Cal Stark went deep as well. Blake Burke chipped in a four-hit day for the Vols.
A Super Regional sweep for Texas A&M was clouded by two injuries — Braden Montgomery on Saturday, and starter Shane Sdao on Sunday. Sdao exited after recording a single out and Oregon capitalized, building a 7-3 lead, but it proved not nearly enough against an explosive Aggies lineup.
A nine-run seventh inning erased the Ducks’ lead and was one final punch landed by Texas A&M to secure its return to Omaha for the second time in the last three years. Trailing by four entering the seventh, Texas A&M drew four bases-loaded walk (plus a hit batter) to flip the score to 9-8. Then, Kaeden Kent — in the lineup in place of Montgomery after some shuffling — removed all doubt with a grand slam. Evan Ashenbeck logged a three-inning save, fanning four.
A five-hour marathon that went 13 innings and had no shortage of dramatics ended with a walk-off, two-run single from Florida center fielder Michael Robertson to upset No. 6 national seed Clemson and continue the Gators’ remarkable run.
The game featured a game-tying three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth from Clemson’s Cam Cannarella; a game-saving catch from Cannarella in extras; a go-ahead soloe home run in the 13th from the Tigers’ Aidan Mathes; two coach ejections, and eventually Robertson’s heroics. Here’s the highlights:
One thing has been true of Kentucky baseball throughout the year: They just find ways to win. That was the case in Sunday night’s matchup with Oregon State in which the Wildcats’ secured their first-ever trip to the College World Series.
Knotted up at two apiece in the seventh, Nolan McCarthy opened the frame with a double. Then, with one out, Grant Smith struck out on three pitches — but the final strike got away from the catcher. McCarthy, ever alert, was able to score all the way from second for what proved to be the game-winning run. Cameron O’Brien, Robert Hogan, Ryan Hagenow, and Johnny Hummel combined to keep the Beavers’ at bay after Mason Moore’s abbreviated six-walk, three-inning start.
After an 18-1 drubbing on Friday, Georgia answered back emphatically and evened the series with NC State to set up the only winner-takes-all game on Monday night. The Bulldogs got on the board quickly with a two-run first-inning home run from Slate Alford, then pulled away from there. Tre Phelps hit a 3-run shot in the third, then a three-run fourth was followed by a home run from Paul Toetz and a RBI single for Fernando Gonzalez that pushed the lead to 10.
NC State’s Dominic Fritton was charged with seven earned runs, while Georgia’s Leighton Finley danced around trouble — he gave up eight hits and two walks over six-plus innings, but only allowed one run. Monday’s game will determine whether the ACC matches the SEC with an even four teams apiece in the College World Series.
The Field, as it stands (click image for full bracket)
Featured Image via Florida Athletics