The first College World Series game in TD Ameritrade Park history is in the can. Vanderbilt Commodores baseball will next take on the winner of Saturday night's marquee showdown between the Florida Gators and Texas Longhorns, having downed the North Carolina Tar Heels 7-3 in the 2011 CWS opener.
UNC, accordingly, will play the loser of that game Monday afternoon and need a win in order to survive.
Vandy took advantage of its potent offense to post a three-run sixth inning that countered a 3-2 Heels advantage to that point, with center fielder Connor Harrell's two-run homer providing the highlight. Can't say UNC's offense didn't have its chances, having left 15 on base.
Oakland Athletics first-round draft pick Sonny Gray didn't have his greatest outing, surrendering three earned runs, eight hits and five walks in four and two-thirds innings, but the Vanderbilt bullpen played an outstanding game. Corey Williams ably took over, posting two and two-thirds scoreless innings, with Will Clinard and Kevin Ziomek closing out the game in the ninth.
As few as two wins away from playing for the first revenue-sport national title in school history? How you feelin', Dores fans?
Check here for complete 2011 CWS scores and schedules. For more SEC sports, join Team Speed Kills. Vandy fans, join Anchor Of Gold, and UNC fans, visit Carolina March.