College World Series: #1 and #2

Well, we finally made it to Omaha. And the Shocking appearance by Stanford and Fresno State will keep this double elimination dual-bracket eight team dogfight interesting.

Yesterday’s Games:

Game #1 Stanford vs. Florida State: With the Seminoles coming from behind twice in the same game, I thought certain they would prevail in the bottom of the Ninth. The move of future giant Buster Posey to pitcher in the 9th was a rough one. The Cardinal put up 11 runs in the top of the ninth, to solidify their presence in the Winners side of Bracket 1. It almost didn’t happen though. The ridiculous blunder of the first base umpire calling a chalk drenched base hit by Jason Castro foul almost nullified the rally. Castro did deliver anyway, but the foul ball would have scored two runs. Either way, Cardinal Advance to face the winner of…

Game #2  Miami  vs. Georgia: It should have been an easy one  for the Hurricanes, though this Bulldog team came powering out of the losers side of the Athens Bracket. They have shown no fear since. Ane they showed no fear in the ninth inning down 4-3. The Bulldogs capitalized on some Miami errors and had timely hitting putting together a four run rally and a nail in Game #2. The Bulldogs will see if they still have the magic against Stanford Monday.

Today’s Predictions:

Game #3 Fresno State vs. Rice: Call me a pessimist but i just don’t see it. While I love the WAC representation in the CWS, but the buck stops here. Rice easily wins it for Dad. Fresno State should be out of here by Tuesday.

Game #4 LSU  vs. UNC: Tough Draw for LSU, They’re going to lose… UNC! UNC!

-dh.

CWS: Day 5 – Supers 1 & 2

Bulldogs Fall, Cardinal Shocks… Day Two of the Super Regionals with some interesting results.

Fullerton Super: The Stanford Cardinal are moving on to Omaha.  The shock Cal State Fullerton in Game @ winning 8-5. Castro Valley High School’s Jason Castro hits a bases clearing double in the sixth to get that 8-5 lead they would never lose. The Titans are sent packing. Stanford is really surprising me… as i didn’t think they would make it out of their own regional bracket, let alone Fullerton’s Super.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Stanford   CASTRO: 3-4, 2B, 4 RBI, R, SB

Tempe Super: Game 1 of this regional really put Fresno State in its place. The Cinderella Team out of the WAC got swatted back to reality by the Sun Devil bats. A 5 run fifth and 4 run  eighth demolished the Bulldogs, who appear to be fading into the Arizona Sunset. Fresno State’s run ends today I fear.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: ASU  Sontag 2-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, BB

Athens Super: NC State is still alive. They defeated the #8 Nationally Ranked Georgia Bulldogs to force a Game Three today. I see Georgia as the winner in this three game set, but the boys from North Carolina are being a little pesky. The win featured a four run fourth seventh including an RBI double by Foschi. He’s our..

PLAYER OF THE GAME: NC ST  Foschi: 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, SB

Cary Super: UNC is the obvious favorite here and no problem dispatching coastal carolina yesterday 9-4. Evenly Distributed Offense and solid pitching make the Tar Heels a difficult foe for CCU… It’s doubtful they will respond in anyway today.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: UNC  WIlliams 3-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R

Tallahassee Super: Florida State answers back and now it’s a toss up in Game 3. I knew this one would go the distance and Wichita State now must find a way to out hit the Seminole Bats. The 14- 4 win for Florida State featured huge offensive performances by Tapley, McGee and Posey. The Florida State Bats are going to take control and move on to Omaha.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Florida State   McGee: 3-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB

Houston Super: Rice and A&M in an all Texas Super. This one could stay interesting into Monday. Rice takes Game 1, but only by 2-runs. A & M Attempted a comeback in the top of the ninth but was shutdown by Rice’s St. Clair who got the win. It will be interesting to see if A & M will respond and force a game three Monday. I’m not going to even try on this one.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Rice   Dodson 3-3, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, BB, SB

Baton Rouge Super: Uc Irvine make a case for itself in the Louisiana regional taking game one from the LSU Tiger 11-5. Irvine got hot in the back half of the game scoring 9 runs in 5,6,7,8… Irvine pitcher Gorgen pitched six strong innings allowing just one earned run. Anteater Bardeen hits a pinch hit homerun in the eighth inning to support the cause. LSU will bounce back today and force Game Three tomorrow night.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: UCI   Cusick 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R

Coral Gables Super: Miami Answering back after being beaten by Arizona in Game 1. This offensive battle featured 24 runs in a game that Arizona looked like they might win. They jumped out to an early lead putting up a four spot in the bottom of the first, then tying the game at seven in the fourth. Miami’s six-spot also in the fourth included a homerun each for Hagerty and Alonso.  And don’t think this game was close after that inning. Miami left 13 runners on Base in this Game. I’m not worried, They’ll advance as the #1 seed.  RF Draben drew six walks and 2 runs… Six walks…

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Miami    Sobolewski 3-6, HR,

TEAMS QUALIFYING FOR COLLEGE WORLD SERIES: Stanford (40-22-2),

dh

CWS: Day 4: Supers Part 1

Well, we’re into the Super Regionals here in the College World Series and a crazy first day it was.. All Eight 3-game series will play today. Only 4 played yesterday, including Stanford and Wichita State.

Friday’s Game 1 Recaps:

Athens Super:   Georgia didn’t have any problems loading and firing against NC STATE.  NCST opened the scoring with back to back homers in the top of the 3rd. Georgia answered back with a four-run third and five run sixth. Bulldogs still rolling through the Bracket after coming alive in their regional.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:   UGA   Allen 2-3, 2b, 3 R, RBI, BB

Coral Gables Super: # 1 Miami falls in Game 1 against Arizona. The 11-inning marathon yesterday was capped by a Three Run homer in the 10th by Arizona center fielder Steele. He earns player of the game honors for his swat and generally all around good. Play. now I would definitely think a game 3  is coming. It would hard to believe the highest ranking team in the country would fade this early. Arizona looks determined though.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: UA’s Steele: 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, R, SB

Fullerton Super: Shockingly, Stanford’s Dream Season continues. They got on the Board and then out ran the boys from Cal State-Fullerton. CSF did rally in the eighth putting a little pressure on the Cardinal. Stanford Closer Storen came in to close it out in the ninth. I was right about winning game one… but Does Stanford have it to knock off Fullerton?

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Stanford’s Jason Castro, from the Bay Area’s Castro Valley High School: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, BB

Tallahassee Super:  I had a funny feeling about Wichita State. They cruised over Florida State last night, though this series is far from over. The bats came alive in the middle three innings putting up 9 run in 4,5,6. The Seminole Bats weren’ suppressed though they plated 7 runs in the loss. Soon-To-Be Giants Catcher Posey hit a homerun. This one still goes the distance.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: WS’s Workman 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB

CWS: Day Three/Regional Review

Okay, The Super Regional Matchups are set: meaning sixteen teams are still alive in the Gran Daddy tournament.  Each four-team regional bracket produced one winner, and those winners will play a best of three series this weekend.

First break down the regionals, then look ahead to the Supers.

 Coral Gables Regional: Missouri didn’t get by Ole Miss as i had hoped, Miami handles the final with ease going undefeated in their regional bracket.

Ann Arbor Regional: Well there was no game seven, but this bracket featured another 1 vs 3 final, with UA advancing to the next round.

CORAL GABLES SUPER REGIONAL:  Arizona and Miami in a three game set, now. You can’t ignore the #1 seed in the country. Miami handled Ole Miss in the Regional Final, and the only handling Arizona did was against lowly Eastern Michigan on the first day of the Tournament. Miami wins this Super Regional in two games.

Raleigh Regional:I have just not been able to predict this bracket. James Madison fals to South Carolina, who in turn just barely loses to NC State. Only problem if see for NC ST in the Super regional is their lack of dominance. They didn’t blow anybody out.

Athens Regional: Georgia still on my mind…  Lipscomb lets me down, and somehow Georgia works all the way from the losers bracket to beat up on GTECH over Sunday and Monday. What a showing, their last three final scores?   14-3, 8-0, and 18-8. ]

ATHENS SUPER REGIONAL:  I would love to see NC STATE have some luck here and get through, but Georgia found their stride in the loser’s bracket of their own regional and i think they win it. They may lose a game, but the Bulldogs advance to the CWS.

Tallahassee Regional: That a rough finish for Tulane who looked as if they would advance to the Supers as a Three seed. But Florida State pulled a Georgia and just dominated their way out of the losers bracket.  Final Scores for their last three: 24-9, 17-8, 16-7. Look out for the #4 nationally seeded Seminoles… The bats are hot at the right time.

Stillwater Regional: Pat on the back for Daniel. Wichita State is the first non-#1 to advance to the Supers in the this recap.  And they had no problems doing it either. Wichita played the minimum. Three games.

TALLAHASSEE SUPER REGIONAL: This may be the best matchup in the Supers. I love Wichita State and their dominance out of the Still Water Bracket, But then again, how can you not acknowledge the powerhouse bats of Florida State. This will go the distance, and it’s too close to call. Going to be fun to watch though.

Cary Regional: One team. UNC… need i say more… again?

Conway Regional: I mean the boys from Coastal Carolina REALLY aren’t kidding around. They put together a massive run through their bracket, scoring 47 runs through 3 games. ECU didn’t even have a chance in the final dropping it 24-11.

CARY SUPER REGIONAL:This one will be interesting… will UNC be able to quiet the bats of Coastal? Will powerhouse North Carolina be able to weather the storm and return to the CWS? I think so. It will go three, but UNC advances.

Baton Rouge Regional: So Miss surprised be in Game Five but didn’t in the Finals. LSU easily handles the final game, putting up a third straight double-digit effort. Another #1 in the Supers.

Lincoln Regional: I called the Nebraska Upset, and the UC Irvine win in the finals. Oral roberts knocks out the 1 seed 8-0 and then loses to Irvine by the same score.  One Question, though, How does Irvine end up in  Nebraska?

BATON ROUGE SUPER REGIONAL: So this pits LSU and UC Irvine, kind of a random pairing if you think about LSUas a national powerhouse in many athletic areas and Irvine… Who… Well… isn’t all that famous for anything. BUT… They are together for 2 games, with LSU winning both and advancing to the College World Series.

Fullerton Regional: UCLA WAS CLOSE… but not close enough… A team they beat earlier in the weekend comes back to force a Game 7 and crush the Bruin dream. A 5-4 contest that was relatively even. Fullerton returns to the Supers, and will host a pretty easy matchup with…

Stanford Regional: I still fear how bad I am at this. Stanford proves me wrong. The Cardinal work from the losers bracket to destroy Pepperdine in Game six and then advance in Game Seven.  I just didn’t think they had it in them.

FULLERTON SUPER REGIONAL: Fullerton vs. Stanford. While I would love to keep the Bay Area Buzz going for this Cardinal Squad. I juts don’t see it. Cardinal may win the first game on emotion alone, but Fullerton will battle back (because they are #5 in the Nation) and advance to the CWS.

Tempe Regional: ASUnot only handled Oklahoma… they destroyed them in the final. 12-0 . Arizona State looks good going into the Supers… really good. They might have some trouble with a CWS Cinderella story.

Long Beach Regional: San Diego definitely made this bracket interesting, pushing our underdog fan-favorite to a deciding 7th game. The 4-seed Fresno State advances to the Super Regionals on a 5-1 win in Long Beach.

TEMPE SUPER REGIONAL:  Arizona State looks like the team here. They’ve got it all going for them heading into Friday’s Super. Only problem i see is a team filled with magical phrases like: Destiny, Hope, Miracle. The Cinderella Story ends in this Super as ASU beats them in three. I would love some WAC representation in the CWS though.

College Station Regional: It took a little more for A & M then I thought, but they get through almost blowing it to Houston.  They win 13-5 in the Final

Houston regional: Rice. Rice. Rice. Didn’t even need a Game 7.

HOUSTON SUPER REGIONAL:Well, Rice will get A&M and they will practically have three days of practice with the Aggies. I should say two days of Practice. Rice in the CWS here.  

ELIMINATED TEAMS: Bethune-Cookman, Charlotte, Mt. St. Mary’s, E. Michigan, Florida, Columbia, Texas South, W. Kentucky, Louisville, Rider, Stonybrook, Arkansas, California, Dallas Baptist, E. Illinios, Sam Houston, UNC-W, Elon, ECU, Alabama, Oral Roberts, Nebraska, So. Miss, New Orleans, Texas, St. Johns, Illinios-Chicago, Houston, Long Beach St., San Diego, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, Missouri, Ole MIss, Michigan, Kentucky, James Madison, South Carolina, UCLA, Virginia, Pepperdine, UC Davis, TCU, Oklahoma State, Bucknell, Tulane.

-Dan.

 

CWS: Day Two – Eliminations

Day Two of the College World Series sends sixteen teams packing, already being double eliminated.

Teams coming from the loser’s bracket will have a double-header today, and we could see some deciding games tomorrow night.

Let’s Recap Saturday:

Coral Gables Regional: Miami is cruising, they took out Mizzou. Ole Miss dispatches Bethune Cookman. Bethune Cookman is eliminated. MIzzou and Ole Miss tangle for a chance to play Miami tonight. I see and Missouri and Miami regional Final with Miami moving on tonight.

Ann Arbor Regional: Right on with my pick. East Michigan is gone after being beat bu Kentucky 4-3. Kentucky gets Michigan in Game Five, The Winner to play Arizona tonight. Watch for a Game 7 in this series tomorrow featuring Kentucky and Arizona.

Raleigh Regional: James Madison responded to my predictions from yesterday. They battled with Charlotte in the losing bracket squeaking out the win with an offensive battle 13-12. Each team had 16 hits in the game. BUT… Charlotte gets the plane tickets and not James Madison. I say they ride this emotional high over South Carolina and get to the final against NC STATE. Where they will lose… I think.

Athens Regional: Georgia still on my mind… Georgia will continue from the Loser’s bracket, though the bulldogs will face the team that pit them there in Lipscomb. Louisville loses a heartbreaker to Georgia almost rallying in the Bottom of the 9th. They’re gone. I say Lipscomb beats the bulldogs again to earn a date with GTECH.

Tallahassee Regional: Tulane is dominating this regional right now, but nationally ranked Flordia State may have some words for that. The Seminoles took care of their neighboring Gators 17-11 yesterday. Florida is eliminated. Florida State gets Bucknell, then Tulane on their way to a regional win.

Stillwater Regional: So Far I’m right. Wichita State looks the the best team without the best seed. TCU takes care of Western Kentucky who is eliminated. They’ll get Okie St. and will follow West Kentucky. OSU will have some trouble with Wichita tonight, I fear.

Cary Regional: What? Mt. St. Mary’s is gone? The team I pinned my entire CWS predictions on?  Right. Still one team. UNC. Where is Elon anyway?

Conway Regional:The boys from Coastal Carolina aren’t kidding around. They dispatch Bama who will get ECU after Columbia is eliminated from the Conway Bracket. I think East vs. Coast in the Regional Final.

Baton Rouge Regional: LSU does advance, blowing out So. Miss 13-4. New Orleans eliminated Texas South. So Miss will fall today for an all Louisiana Regional Final.

Fullerton Regional: UCLA WITH THE UPSET! and it wasn’t close. They take care of powerhouse Fullerton 11-4. CSU-F will have to tangle with Virginia today before getting back to the Bruins. I say we have a game tomorrow for the ticket to the Super regional. Rider eliminated.

Tempe Regional: ASU destroys Oklahoma. just destroys,. They get the afternoon off to wait for Oklahoma to take care of Vanderbilt. Poor Stonybrook is sent packing. ASU will handle Oklahoma again tonight to move on.

Stanford Regional: I still fear the Cardinal will not advance from this bracket…But they did extend their stay. They escape game 3 with a win over Arkansas 5-1. They will play UC-Davis today to meet Pepperdine tonight. I say Davis loses to Pepperdine in the Final.

Long Beach Regional: The Golden Bears are gone. They lose to Long Beach St. who is hanging on. WAC POWER! Fresno State moves on as the 4-seed in this bracket and will await the winner of LB ST. and San Diego.  I say Fresno State wins this regional tomorrow.

College Station Regional: Dallas Baptist is gone, I guess someone had to win. D-B lost its second straight by a 9-5 score.  Illinois-Chicago moves on to face Houston. Truthfully, I Still don’t have anything on this Bracket. A & M moves on…

Houston regional: Still on Track here… Rice  moves on and will get Texas tonight. The Longhorns should take care of St. Johns like Sam Houston yesterday.

Lincoln Regional: Oral Roberts will upset #1 Nebraska today who couldn’t beat UC-Irvine yesterday, Irvine will cause some problems for whoever wins that Game 5 (O.R). E. Illinois is eliminated.

32 more teams could be sent home today. Lots of Movement in the Sunday Edition of Regional Play.

ELIMINATED TEAMS: Bethune-Cookman, Charlotte, Mt. St. Mary’s, E. Michigan, Florida, Columbia, Texas South, W. Kentucky, Louisville, Rider, Stonybrook, Arkansas, California, Dallas Baptist, E. Illinios, Sam Houston

dh