4/20/2011 2:22:31 AM
Tuesday was an important day of midweek games for several teams around the country looking to add an impressive win to their NCAA postseason resumes, but it also was special for the simple fact a baseball game finally was played at the new home to the College World Series, TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb.
The first game at the new stadium ended with Nebraska besting in-state rival Creighton 2-1 behind a clutch relief performance by talented freshman pitcher Logan Ehlers, who tossed 5 1/3 innings of shutout relief work in the winning cause.
There was plenty of other intriguing action on Tuesday.
* TCU received news that stud pitcher Matt Purke would be out indefinitely because of arm soreness, but that didn't keep it from taking care of business on the road against Texas A&M. Horned Frogs starting pitcher Andrew Mitchell tossed an absolute gem, allowing just a run on two hits in 5 2/3 innings as they defeated the Aggies 4-2. TCU relievers Trent Appleby, Erik Miller and Stefan Crichton also performed at a high level, while Josh Elander hit his first home run of the season. The win was a big RPI win for the Horned Frogs, while the Aggies lost their third-straight midweek contest.
* South Carolina received a wakeup call last week then it dropped a midweek bout to The Citadel. But the Gamecocks didn't let another midweek bout go to the wayside as they captured an 8-3 road win over College of Charleston. South Carolina starting pitcher Tyler Webb only lasted an inning, but relievers Bryan Harper, Steven Neff and John Taylor performed at a high level in the win. It's also worth noting catcher Brady Thomas and Robert Beary each finished the game with two hits.
* Coastal Carolina had a golden opportunity to record an impressive road midweek win on Tuesday, but once again blew it with an 8-3 setback to North Carolina. The Tar Heels responded in a big way from last weekend's brutal 0-3 series against rival N.C. State. UNC starting pitcher Andrew Smith allowed two runs in four innings while Kent Emanuel and Michael Morin threw well in relief. UNC shortstop Levi Michael finished the game with two hits and two RBIs. The Chanticleers continue to squandered chances for solid postseason resume wins.
* Oklahoma State picked up a huge Big 12 series win over rival Oklahoma over the weekend and will have high hopes entering the series against Texas A&M later this week. The Cowboys continued their hot ways on Tuesday with a 5-3 triumph over Wichita State. OSU starting pitcher Hunter Herrera allowed just two runs on eight hits in seven innings, while Andrew Heaney struck out four in 1 1/3 innings of relief work to close the game. Devin Shines, Gabe Weidenaar and Nico Rosthenhausler each had two hits in the game. The upcoming series against A&M is huge from a postseason standpoint.
* Virginia just continues to string together dominant wins. The Cavaliers continued their red-hot ways on Tuesday with a dominant 12-0 win over Radford. UVA starting pitcher Cody Winiarski was fantastic, striking out six and allowing just two hits in seven shutout innings. Cavaliers leadoff hitter Chris Taylor went 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs, while first baseman Jared Kings also collected three hits and knocked in two runs. The Cavaliers improved to 37-3 on the season.
* Mississippi State was in need of a win on Tuesday and got just what it needed with a 6-1 triumph over rival Ole Miss in Jackson, Miss. The Bulldogs got a solid start from Kendall Graveman, who allowed just three hits in four shutout innings. Relievers Chad Girodo and Taylor Stark also performed at a high level, while C.T. Bradford, Jarrod Parks and Wes Thigpen each collected two hits. Up next for the Bulldogs is a huge series against top-ranked South Carolina. They could make a statement this weekend.
* It sure is tough to get a solid read on Tulane. The Green Wave appeared to be in bad shape after a Conference USA series loss to Rice over the weekend. However, they're right back on the winning track with a 13-8 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday. Tulane outfielder Blake Crohan collected three hits in the game, while Jeremy Schaffer, Bowen Woodson, Frank Florio and Brennan Middleton each recorded two hits. While the Green Wave recorded a solid victory, the Lions' postseason resume certainly took a hit.
UPSET ALERTS
-- Dallas Baptist edged Oklahoma 3-2 in Norman, Okla.
-- Cal Poly edged Fresno State 5-4 in a comeback victory
-- Mercer defeated Georgia Tech at home, 6-3
-- South Florida defeated Stetson 5-2 behind solid pitching at home
-- High Point went on the road and beat Elon 3-0
-- UAB hit the road and beat Troy 8-1
-- UNLV hit the road and got past Baylor 7-4
-- South Alabama went on the road and beat Auburn 7-1