Cards sweep rivals for pass to Omaha
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville left no room for error in its NCAA baseball super regional this time.
From Brendan McKay’s effective pitching to big hits by Drew Ellis and Logan Taylor — who also contributed a spectacular game-saving catch — the Cardinals came through in every phase against rival Kentucky. Next stop: Omaha, Neb. Ellis homered twice, Josh Stowers and Taylor each delivered extra-base RBI hits and lefthander McKay scattered eight hits and two runs as Louisville topped Kentucky 6-2 Saturday to become the first school to clinch a berth for this year’s College World Series.
“It means everything,” McKay said. “After the two previous seasons, being so close to winning in 2015 and then last year being up three runs in the ninth and before it all comes crashing down on you, this is probably the best moment I’ve ever had.”
A day after smacking a threerun homer in Louisville’s 5-2 win in the best-of-three series opener, junior first baseman Ellis hit solo shots in the second and sixth to complete a sweep that sent the Cardinals (52-10) to the CWS for the third time in five seasons but first time since 2014.
Stowers followed with an RBI triple, and Taylor delivered the first of two eighth-inning insurance runs as Louisville remained unbeaten in this year’s NCAA postseason.
McKay (10-3) had to work at times but was effective, striking out nine batters in 6 2/3 innings to win a showdown with Kentucky ace Sean Hjelle (11-4).
Marcus Carson and Tristan Pompey knocked in runs for Kentucky (43-23), which made its first super regional appearance.
The Wildcats threatened one last time in the bottom of the ninth by putting one on with one out as Marcus Carson came up. His long drive to right center seemed destined to score a run — that is, until Taylor robbed him with an amazing sprint from left-center to make the catch while crashing into the wall.
“There was no way I wasn’t catching that ball,” Taylor said to laughter. “I just saw it hit and knew it had to be me.”
› Texas A&M 12, Davidson 6: In College Station, Texas, the Aggies used a seven-run rally in the eighth inning to topple the upstart Wildcats and earn the Aggies’ first CWS berth since 2011.
A&M (41-12) swept its super regional after the Aggies also won 7-6 in 15 innings Friday in the series opener.
On Saturday, the Aggies trailed 6-5 in the with two out in the eighth when pinch-hitter Jorge Gutierrez popped up behind the mound for what appeared to be a third out — and a slim Davidson (35-26) lead headed into the ninth.
But third baseman Eric Jones and second baseman Alec Acosta collided while trying to make the catch, and the ball popped loose with both on the ground. Two A&M runners dashed across the plate, and the Aggies clutched their final lead of the super regional.
› Florida State 7, Sam Houston State 6: In Tallahassee, Fla., Jackson Lueck had four hits, including the game-winner in the ninth inning, and four RBIs as the Seminoles (44-21) rallied from a four-run deficit to win their super regional opener.
Taylor Walls opened the ninth with a single and advanced to second after Dylan Busby was hit by a pitch from Nick Mikolajchak (0-4). Lueck then got his third walk-off hit of the season with a single to right-center field that scored Walls.
Sam Houston State (44-22) scored four runs the first two innings off two errors by Florida State starter Tyler Holton.
Drew Carlton (5-4), who was Florida State’s third pitcher, got the win after throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
› Cal State Fullerton 12, Long Beach State 0: In Long Beach, Calif., John Gavin pitched a seven-hit shutout to help the Titans force a deciding third game in their series.
Gavin (8-2) struck out five, walked two and threw 122 pitches.
Cal State Fullerton (38-22) scored seven runs on eight hits in the third to break open the game while getting to Long Beach State starter Dave Smith (9-2) early. Smith allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 11 hits in three innings.
Long Beach State (42-19-1), which committed four errors, will play its fourth elimination game of the postseason when the teams meet today.
› TCU 3, Missouri State 2: In Fort Worth, Texas, Evan Skoug hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Horned Frogs won their series opener.
Skoug’s one-out shot just over the fence in right came on the fourth pitch from reliever Jordan Knutson (8-4), who replaced Dylan Coleman for a lefty vs. lefty matchup after the Bears starter threw a season-high 132 pitches and struck out 10.
The rally put TCU (46-16) within a victory of its fourth straight trip to Omaha.
Sean Wymer (5-4) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings after TCU ace Jared Janczak struck out 10 in 6 1/3 innings. Durbin Feltman got a game-ending double play for his 17th save.
Missouri State (43-19) is seeking its second trip to Omaha. The other was in 2003.