MORE: College Premium Blog | NCAA Bracket | Super Regionals sked/results | Subscribe to CB Ticket
* Columbia Super Regional (Oklahoma vs. South Carolina) resumes Monday
BATON ROUGE SUPER REGIONAL
Game 3: Stony Brook 3, Louisiana State 1
THE SERIES: Stony Brook wins series, advances to College World Series
PLAYER OF THE GAME: P Frankie Vanderka, Stony Brook
IT WAS OVER WHEN: We all thought Stony Brook had a chance to put together a competitive weekend against LSU, but it clearly looked like the better team in all three contests. The Seawolves got off to another hot start in the series finale with the Tigers, and they led 4-1 heading to the fourth inning, certainly within striking distance for hometown LSU. SBU left very little doubt in the inning, as it extended its lead to 6-1 on a Maxx Tissenbaum two-RBI double. The Seawolves never looked back.
THE SKINNY: The Seawolves really couldn't have gotten much better pitching throughout the weekend. They capped off the series in style as sophomore right-handed hurler Frankie Vanderka pitched an absolute gem in the series finale. Vanderka struck out five batters and allowed just two runs on three hits in a complete game performance. He threw 81 of his 129 pitches for strikes. Meanwhile, Tissenbaum had two doubles and three RBIs, while third baseman William Carmona went 3-for-5 with a double and leadoff hitter Travis Jankowski went 4-for-6 with two runs scored. For the Tigers, it was yet another inconsistent showing by right-handed pitcher Ryan Eades, who allowed four runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings.
EUGENE SUPER REGIONAL
Game 2: Oregon 3, Kent State 2
THE SERIES: Series tied 1-1
PLAYER OF THE GAME: RHP Jake Reed, Oregon
IT WAS OVER WHEN: For six innings on Sunday night, it looked like Kent State was well on its way to the College World Series. The Flashes had a 2-0 lead and starting pitcher Ryan Bores was in total control. Well, the Ducks had other plans, as they scored three runs in the seventh inning to take a 3-2 lead over the Flashes. The runs were scored on RBI singles by Brett Thomas and Ryan Hambright, while a sacrifice scored the third run. The Ducks didn't look back after thanks to a strong bullpen.
THE SKINNY: With their season on the line Sunday, the Ducks looked to freshman right-handed pitcher Jake Reed to provide a boost. Reed didn't disappoint in his Super Regional debut, striking out six and allowing just two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, the UO bullpen did a sensational job with youngster Thomas Thorpe striking out four in 1 2/3 shutout innings and closer Jimmie Sherfy closes things out in ridiculously strong fashion, thanks to a hard slurve. Sherfy struck out the only two batters he faced with a fastball touching 93-94 and a nasty low-to-mid 80s slurve. Offensively, first baseman Ryon Healy finished the contest with two hits, while the Hambright duo each knocked in a run.
GAINESVILLE SUPER REGIONAL
Game 2: Florida 9, North Carolina State 8
THE SERIES: Florida wins series, advances to College World Series
PLAYER OF THE GAME: OF Daniel Pigott, Florida
IT WAS OVER WHEN: The Gators and Wolfpack played an intense contest in the Gainesville Super Regional, and the two teams entered the 10th inning tied 7-7. That was until outfielder Daniel Pigott hit a go-ahead home run before Josh Tobias added an insurance run with an RBI single into right field to make it 9-7 in the Gators' favor. N.C. State would score a run in the bottom of the 10th, but the insurance run made all the difference.
THE SKINNY: A lengthy rain delay kept this from being a fantastic pitcher's duel, but it still was an excellent contest. Florida used seven pitchers to close out N.C. State, but it was its offense that got the job done. Pigott finished the contest 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI, while outfielder Justin Shafer had two hits and two RBIs and Casey Turgeon had three hits and an RBI. Also worth noting, three other Gators finished the contest with two hits, with two-way player Brian Johnson hitting a home run in the game. For N.C. State, Ryan Wilkins was forced to toss 5 1/3 innings of relief work after starting pitcher Carlos Rodon didn't return to the game following the rain delay.
TALLAHASSEE SUPER REGIONAL
Game 2: Florida State 18, Stanford 7
THE SERIES: Florida State wins series, advances to College World Series
PLAYER OF THE GAME: 3B Sherman Johnson, Florida State
IT WAS OVER WHEN: The Seminoles played an excellent brand of baseball over the weekend. FSU was leading the Cardinal 2-0 after the first inning, certainly within reach for the Cardinal. However, the Seminoles added to their lead in the inning with three runs, two of them coming via a Sherman Johnson three-run home run to extend the 'Noles lead to 6-1. Though there were some tense moments throughout the game, the Seminoles did a tremendous job by sealing the deal and helping guide this team to the College World Series.
THE SKINNY: Florida State starting pitcher Mike Compton was unable to go the distance after allowing just two runs, but also 11 hits in four innings. With that said, the Seminoles bullpen was pretty impressive throughout the afternoon, with Hunter Scantling and Robert Benincasa each putting together gutsy performances. From an offensive standpoint, FSU leadoff hitter Sherman Johnson went 3-for-6 with three runs scored and RBIs. Meanwhile, Delph had a big night and finished the game 3-for-3 with an RBI, while shortstop Justin Gonzalez went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs. For the Cardinal, athletic outfielder Austin Wilson went 3-for-5 with a home run, double, two runs scored and three RBIs. However, starting pitcher Brett Mooneyham was lifted after allowing five runs in the first inning.
WACO SUPER REGIONAL
Game 2: Arkansas 5, Baylor 4
THE SERIES: Series tied 1-1
PLAYER OF THE GAME: RHP Barrett Astin, Arkansas
IT WAS OVER WHEN: After the Bears dominated the series opener between the two clubs, it was no surprise the two teams were entangled in a hard-fought contest on Sunday. The Bears had a 4-3 lead entering the eighth inning and loaded the bases with absolutely no outs. BU could've blown the game wide open, but was unable to get another run across after the inning ended with a double play. The Hogs had momentum after the eighth inning, carrying well over into the bottom of the ninth inning.
THE SKINNY: It's difficult to find a more surreal finish to a contest. The Bears had a 4-3 lead over Arkansas in the ninth inning with talented Max Garner on the mound. The Hogs got a runner on first base, and with one out, they appeared to be done as Bo Bigham smacked an easy grounder to sure-handed (at least in this series) shortstop Jake Miller. Strangely, Miller was unable to turn the double play, and the Bears proceeded to hit the next two batters to tie and lose the game. Overall, BU starting pitcher Josh Turley struck out four and allowed just three runs on five hits in seven innings, while Arkansas starting pitcher Ryne Stanek allowed just two runs on two hits in four innings. Offensively, Arkansas designated hitter Joe Serrano had a good day at the plate with two hits and two runs scored.