West Virginia and Georgia survive another day, and just like that we are down to four teams left in Omaha. Here’s our Tuesday recap from the College World Series.
From last team in to the Final 8, Troy’s magical run comes to an end
West Virginia isn’t done singing in Omaha just yet.
Facing elimination for the second time in five days, the Mountaineers turned in their most complete performance of the College World Series on Tuesday, rolling past Troy 12-0 to keep their season alive and send the Trojans home.
Troy spent the last month proving it belonged on college baseball’s biggest stage, but on Tuesday there simply wasn’t anything left in the tank.
West Virginia controlled the game from the jump. The Mountaineers grabbed an early lead and never looked back, piling up 12 runs while their pitching staff silenced an offense that had been on fire over the last two weeks.
The biggest blow came from Gavin Kelly, who launched a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs. Every time Troy threatened to settle in, West Virginia answered with another crooked number.
For Troy, the final score shouldn’t overshadow what was a historic season. The Trojans reached Omaha for the first time in program history, won 39 games, knocked off Florida twice in the postseason and proved they could compete with anyone in the country. But against a desperate West Virginia team Tuesday, the magic finally ran out.
West Virginia, meanwhile, improved to 47-16 and will now face UNC on Wednesday in another elimination game.
The SEC’s best deliver dramatic night cap
Georgia and Texas were the favorites coming into the Men’s College World Series. One was going to ask for an early check out after Tuesday night.
That team wasn’t UGA. A team that was none for its offense all season leaned on dominant pitching once again in Omaha. The Bulldogs shut out Texas 2-0 to keep their College World Series hopes alive.
In a season that has largely been defined by big innings and crooked numbers for the Dawgs, Georgia won the old-fashioned way, riding a lights-out performance on the mound and making the most of its opportunities at the plate.
Texas starter Luke Harrison carried a no-hitter into the fifth before Georgia finally broke through. Brannan Hudson came around to score on Tre Phelps’ RBI double, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead and all the support their pitching staff would need. Georgia added an insurance run in the seventh when Ryan Lujo delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home Ryland Black and extend the lead to 2-0. It would be only the second time all year that Texas was held scoreless this season.
In a high leverage game, Georgia never allowed Texas to generate any consistent offense, and protected the shutout for nine consecutive innings. The win sets up a rematch with Oklahoma, and Georgia will need to beat the Sooners twice to reach the championship series.
