2011 College World Series

SI Staff | Jun 29, 2011

2011 College World Series /

2011 College World Series

They don't play at Rosenblatt Stadium any longer, but Omaha is still college baseball's mecca. Eight of the nation's finest converged at TD America Park for the 65th College World Series.

Former President George W. Bush delivers the ceremonial first pitch before the June 18 game between North Carolina and Vanderbilt.

The Commodores, including Jason Esposito (22), greet Connor Harrell (20), after he hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning.

Vanderbilt left fielder Tony Kemp, top, makes a diving catch on Levi Michael's sinking liner in the fourth inning. Kemp helped the Tar Heels strand 16 runners.

Third baseman Cody Dent concentrates during a bunt situation. Dent collected his first double of the year and scored a run.

Mike Zunino (3), Bryson Smith (1) and the Gators advanced to face the Commodores in a Region 1 winner's bracket game.

California's Chad Bunting can't quite haul this eighth inning fly by Virginia's Jared King, who wound up with a triple.

Teammates congratulate second baseman Keith Werman (right) after scoring a run in the seventh inning.

Texas A&M's Tyler Naquin (right) beats South Carolina's Robert Beary to the plate to score a first-inning run. The Aggies and Gamecocks were tied 4-4 after one inning.

South Carolina's Scott Wingo (left) celebrates after knocking in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Wingo finished 4-for-4 and scored a run.

North Carolina freshman Kent Emanuel pitched the first complete-game shutout at the College World Series in five years to keep the Tar Heels alive.

Jonathan Walsh and the Longhorns were eliminated. Texas, the all-time winningest NCAA program, was making its seventh College World Series appearance since 2000.

Florida finished off a victory over Vanderbilt on Tuesday in the completion of a College World Series game suspended because of inclement weather. Florida (52-17) beat its Southeastern Conference rival for the fourth time in five meetings this season and is now in control of Bracket 2.

Night or day, it didn't matter to Florida's Steven Rodriguez. The pitcher did not give up a hit in 4 1-3 innings of relief over two days. The sophomore left-hander retired three batters Monday night before high winds and heavy rain disrupted the game in the bottom of the sixth. He struck out six of the 11 batters he faced Tuesday. He finished with seven strikeouts and a walk.

Freshman utilityman Derek Campbell (pictured) drove in two runs out of the No. 9 spot, closer Matt Flemer pitched three scoreless innings in his longest outing of the year and the Golden Bears kept up their improbable postseason run.The Bears (38-22) won their first CWS game in three appearances since 1980 and will play either Virginia or South Carolina on Thursday in another elimination game.

The Big 12 regular-season and postseason champion Aggies (47-22) went two games and out and are 2-10 in five all-time CWS appearances.

Shortstop Peter Mooney and the Gamecocks put themselves in the best possible position to return to the best-of-three finals next week with a 7-1 victory. They won their 13th straight national tournament game, matching the record held by Southern California (1972-74) and LSU (1997-98). They also recorded their fifth win over a No. 1-ranked team.

Colby Holmes, John Taylor (pictured) and Matt Price combined on a five-hitter. The defense turned two double plays and almost another when second baseman Scott Wingo made an amazing backhanded flip of the ball out of his glove to shortstop Peter Mooney, whose relay to first was just late.

Taylor Hill and Corey Williams combined on four-hitter, Connor Harrell and Curt Casali homered and Vanderbilt ousted North Carolina from the College World Series. The Commodores' reward is another game against SEC rival Florida, which has beaten them in four of five meetings this season.

Kenny Swab (No. 35) celebrates with teammates after scoring during a four-run sixth inning as the Cavaliers eliminated the Golden Bears and gained a date with the Gamecocks for the Bracket 2 crown. Tyler Wilson allowed three hits in just over seven innings for the top-seeded Wahoos.

Preston Tucker drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded single in the eighth inning and Florida survived some shaky bullpen work to advance to the College World Series finals with a 6-4 victory over Vanderbilt.

Adam Matthews scored in the bottom of the 13th inning after Virginia reliever Cody Winiarski botched two throws after fielding bunts, sending defending national champion South Carolina back to the College World Series finals with a 3-2 victory Friday night.

hudson.bruce.thorson.presswire.jpg — Bruce Thorson/US Presswire

Florida sophomore Hudson Randall was spectacular on the mound, limiting South Carolina to one run and three hits in 7 2/3 innings.

robert.beary.mike.zunino.ted.kirk.ap.jpg — Ted Kirk/AP

But South Carolina catcher Robert Beary saved the Gamecocks. The Gators loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth in a 1-1 game, only to ground into two forceouts at home. The first (pictured) on a fine scoop and the second turned for an inning-ending double play.

southcarolina.ted.kirk.ap.jpg — Ted Kirk/AP

The Gamecocks prevailed in 11 innings, moving one win away from their second straight College World Series championship.

South Carolina swept Florida in the finals to win its 16th straight NCAA tournament game and 11th in a row at the College World Series, both records. The Gamecocks became the sixth team to win back-to-back titles and the first to go 10-0 in an NCAA tournament.

florida.bruce.thorson.presswire.jpg — Bruce Thorson/US Presswire

Florida had reached the College World Series for the second straight year and was in the finals for the second time in six years. The Gators left empty-handed again, though, and remain without any baseball titles.

scott.wingo.brace.Hemmelgarn.presswire.jpg — Brace Hemmelgarn/US Presswire

South Carolina second baseman Scott Wingo was named Most Outstanding Player. He had the winning hit in the bottom of the ninth against Texas A&M and made two great plays at second base to keep Florida from scoring late in Game 1

Published Jun 29, 2011

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