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Sunday - June 25, 2006

CWS - Day 9

North Carolina v. Oregon State. Robert Woodard, coming off his complete game victory over Clemson a few days ago, got the start for North Carolina. Mike Stutes, who stepped up when his team really needed him in Oregon State's second game against Miami, started for the Beavers. North Carolina got on the board first with a single run in the top of the 2nd on three back-to-back singles (all with two outs). In the bottom of the 2nd, Mitch Canham (OSU catcher) made a great dive at the 1b bag to reach on a ball he dribbled down the 1b line. He moved to 2b on a sac bunt and then made a mental error on a fly ball to the rf corner. He went to tag up and then seemed to think the right fielder wouldn't catch the ball so took a few steps off the bag. But, the right fielder did catch the ball. Canham went back, tagged, and tried to beat the throw. But, a great relay throw got him out at 3b for an unusual double play to end the threat. In the top of the 3rd, Fronk doubled down the lf line with one out. Horton then struck out and it looked like OSU might squeak their way out of trouble. Alas, Flack singled, plating Fronk. Then Cox and Federowicz hit back-to-back doubles, putting NC ahead 4-0 before Williams finally flew out to rf.

Stutes didn't have quite the stuff he had the other day against Miami so Oregon State sent Daniel Turpen in to pitch at the start of the 4th. Sadly, Turpen wasn't any more effective. After he gave up another run, OSU decided to send closer Kevin Gunderson to the mound. Gunderson entered with two out and a runner at 1b. He struck Josh Horton out to end the top of the 4th. In the bottom of the inning, Tyler Graham started things off by getting hit by a pitch. John Wallace then hit a single up the middle. With Chris Kunda at the plate, Graham stole 3b. But, Woodard ended up walking the bases full. Shea McFeely came up and hit the first pitch he saw down the lf line. Two runs scored and the runners advanced to 2b and 3b. NC sent Matt Danford in to pitch. He came in and struck Scott Santschi out. But then gave up a single to Darwin Barney; rbi, runners at the corners. A wild pitch off the catcher's knee during Canham's at-bat ricocheted into the OSU dugout...runner from 3b scored. The runner from 1b had to stop at 2b since the ball went out of play. Canham walked. Cole Gillespie struck out. Then Bill Rowe hit a monster home run into the rf bleachers. Wow. OSU scored 7 in the 4th to go up 7-5.

The 5th was relatively uneventful. In the bottom of the 6th, Barney walked. Canham reached on a bunt single. On the play, the NC third baseman gave up on the ball and Canham reached easily. Gillespie then reached on a fielder's choice (56, odd play with the fielder's shifting on the pitch apparently due to a planned pick-off play). Rowe singled (rbi). Gillespie advanced to 3b on a great run. Adam Warren went in to pitch. Then, Graham reached on a bunt single down the 1b line. The first baseman fielded the ball and could've probably tagged Graham but thought about getting Gillespie at home. He didn't have time, though, and by the time he turned to throw to the pitcher covering 1b, it was too late. Wallace walked to load the bases. Kunda hit a sac fly (foul) to rf. Rowe scored and Graham moved to 3b. Graham then scored on a wild pitch. Oregon State up 11-5 by the time the inning came to an end.

In the top of the 7th, with two outs, Cox was hit by a pitch. Federowicz then hit a long home run over the lf fence to bring NC back within 4 runs. The Beavers threatened again in the bottom of the inning but a double play and another pitching change (Tyler Trice went in) got NC out of the inning. Chad Flack hit a 2-out triple in the top of the 9th to make things a wee bit interesting but Jay Cox popped out to ss to end the game. Oregon State won 11-7. Wow.

And, now we get... One. More. Game. Yes! I'm lovin' it.

Posted by Joanna at 9:23 PM