June 7, 2009

 

Omaha Bound Again: Tar Heels Topple Pirates
Mike Fox just couldn't help himself.

Moments after North Carolina defeated East Carolina 9-3 to clinch a fourth straight College World Series trip, the 53-year-old coach ran to his wife's front-row seat and climbed up the protective net in front of the stands to give her a celebratory kiss.

The Tar Heels (47-16) had plenty to celebrate after Sunday's sweep of their best-of-three super regional series against their instate rival. Their pitchers dominated a lineup in which every hitter was batting at least .300, and they piled up 30 hits over two games to provide more than enough run support.

That performance made them the first Atlantic Coast Conference team to reach Omaha for four straight seasons.

OMAHA BOUND! Virginia Wins Super Regional After 5-1 Victory Over Rebels
Virginia is headed to its first College World Series after beating Mississippi 5-1 on Sunday to win the super regional series.

Matt Packer, in his third appearance of the series, and three others combined for 10 strikeouts and allowed just seven hits as the Cavaliers (48-13-1) set the school record for wins in a season. Virginia improved to 5-1 since the NCAA tournament began and has done it with pitching, allowing just nine earned runs.

The Rebels (44-20) have lost four straight super regionals over the last five seasons.

#2 Arizona State Omaha Bound After 8-2 Win Over #13 Clemson in Tempe Super Regional Sunday
Junior lefthander Josh Spence tossed a complete game four-hitter to lead #2 Arizona State to an 8-2 victory over #13 Clemson in front of 4,406 fans at Packard Stadium in the Tempe Super Regional on Sunday night. The Sun Devils, who advanced to the College World Series for the 21st time in school history by winning the super regional 2-0, improved to 49-12. The Tigers ended their season with a 44-22 record.

Spence (9-1) pitched the first and only complete game against the Tigers in 2009 to earn the win. In 9.0 innings pitched, he allowed just four hits, two runs, and one walk with 10 strikeouts. Tiger starter Chris Dwyer (5-6) suffered the loss, as he allowed three runs on four hits with seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched.

After Spence retired the first 11 batters of the game, Jeff Schaus gave Clemson the game's first lead when he lined a two-out solo home run down the right-field line in the fourth inning, his 13th long ball of the season.