Florida State’s a survivor; Oregon State rips LSU 13-1
Florida State converted three walks, two infield singles and a double into three runs to take the lead in the seventh inning, and the Seminoles knocked Cal State Fullerton out of the College World Series with a 6-4 win Monday in Omaha, Neb.
In an elimination game Wednesday, the Seminoles (46-22) will play LSU, a 13-1 loser to Oregon State in Monday night’s game.
Saturday, LSU topped Florida State 5-4.
Fullerton (39-24) has gone two games and out in four straight CWS appearances and has lost nine games in a row in Omaha.
The Seminoles went ahead against three Fullerton pitchers, with the tying and go-ahead runs scoring on back-to-back walks by Blake Workman.
“Anytime a guy gets on base, the first hitter, we think we’ll score a crooked number, not just one,” FSU’s Drew Mendoza said. “The first hitter sets the tone, and with guys getting on base, we were feeling really good about the inning. It gives the guy behind him confidence to pass the bat to the next guy.”
Chase Haney (3-2) got the win, and Drew Carlton earned his seventh save after Fullerton put two runners on base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Pinch hitter Hank LoForte struck out looking to end the game.
“I know I’m 0-4. I knew how difficult it was to get here. But it’s even more difficult to get here and win,” Fullerton coach Rich Vanderhook said.
Oregon State 13, LSU 1:
The Beavers (56-4) scored 12 runs total in the fifth through eighth innings to rout the Tigers (49-18).
K.J. Harrison hit a grand slam, and Nick Madrigal, Trevor Larnach and Cadyn Grenier each drove in three runs.
Winning pitcher Bryce Fehmel allowed just two hits and one earned run in eight innings. He struck out three.
Oregon State extended its winning streak to 23 games and ended LSU’s 17-game winning streak. and pursue opportunities to improve our team in the weeks ahead.”
According to Cleveland. com, senior vice president of basketball operations Trent Redden is out, too. His contract also expires June 30.
Former Detroit Pistons star Chauncey Billups is interested in Griffin’s job, Cleveland.com reported.
Under Griffin, the Cavs went to their third consecutive NBA Finals this month before falling to the Golden State Warriors in five games. He was praised as a magician by coach Tyronn Lue, but the Cavs failed to make a commitment to Griffin while wrapping up others last summer, including giving Lue a fiveyear, $35 million extension.
The situation put Griffin’s name on candidate lists elsewhere this year, but Gilbert denied Griffin the chance to interview with other NBA teams.
The Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks were among those that reportedly considered Griffin before moving on. The Magic hired the Milwaukee Bucks’ John Hammond on May 23 and the Hawks brought in Travis Schlenk, assistant GM of the Golden State Warriors the past five years, on May 25.
The Bucks remained Griffin’s last possible landing spot for 2017-18 until Friday, when the Bucks settled on their director of basketball operations Jon Horst.
Griffin, 47, will be highly sought after next season. Officially hired in May 2014 after serving as interim GM for the final 33 games in 2013-14 after the firing of Chris Grant, Griffin made just under $2 million last season.
Under Gilbert’s direction, the Cavs have had four GMs since 2005.
Cavs star LeBron James endorsed Griffin’s efforts in an interview with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin for a story posted in early April.
“It makes no sense why he shouldn’t get an extension,” James told McMenamin.