North Carolina State holds off Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Evan Mendoza hit a two-run triple and scored on Andy Cosgrove’s single in the fifth inning, and Sean Adler allowed two runs and six hits in 7 2/3 innings of relief as North Carolina State held off Kentucky 5-4 on Saturday night to move within a game of clinching the NCAA Lexington Regional.
Evan White’s one-out homer in the top of the ninth inning brought the top-seeded host Wildcats (40-21) within a run. But Wolfpack reliever Austin Staley regrouped to get the final two outs for his fifth save and give third-seeded N.C. State its second consecutive one-run tournament victory.
Adler (6-6) relieved Michael Bienlein in the first inning and struck out five for the win, allowing two runs and three walks. Back-to-back first-inning homers by Stephen Pitarra and Josh McLain keyed N.C. State’s nine-hit effort.
The Wolfpack (36-23) await the elimination game winner between Indiana and Kentucky on Sunday.
Tristan Pompey also homered for the Wildcats.
Auburn 5, Tennessee Tech 3
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —Casey Mize tied a career-high with 12 strikeouts in a complete game and Auburn advanced to the finals of the NCAA baseball tournament’s Tallahassee Regional with a victory over Tennessee Tech.
It is the fourth time this season the sophomore right-hander has had 12 strikeouts in a game. Mize (8-2) came into the game allowing just two home runs, but Tennessee Tech’s Ryan Flick and Chase Chambers each hit solo shots.
Luke Jarvis drove in two runs with a fourth-inning single and Jay Estes had two hits, including a home run in the eighth for Auburn (37-24), which is looking to advance to the Super Regional for the first time since 1999.
The Tigers will face the Florida State-Tennessee Tech winner in the finals on Sunday.
Trevor Putzig had two hits for the Golden Eagles (41-20). Losing pitcher Jake Usher (5-3) gave up four runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Vanderbilt 9, Clemson 4
CLEMSON, S.C. — Top draft prospect Kyle Wright held Clemson to seven hits in seven innings and Vanderbilt took control of the NCAA Tournament’s Clemson Regional with a victory over the Tigers.
The Commodores (35-22-1) advanced to Sunday night’s regional final. The Tigers (40-20) face UNC Greensboro in an elimination game Sunday. That winner would have to beat Vanderbilt twice to move to the super regional round.
That could be a tall order with how the Commodores are swinging the bats. They had 16 hits, including eight doubles, giving them 34 hits in the regional. Wright (5-5), considered among the top players available in the upcoming Major League Baseball draft, didn’t need much to lead Vanderbilt.
The right-hander struck out nine. Jeren Kendall had three RBIs and Will Toffey and Jason Delay two each for Vanderbilt.
Charlie Barnes (5-5) took the loss, allowing 13 hits and seven runs.