The hoopla is over. It is time to simply play ball. Eight teams will eventually be whittled down to two. All the teams in Omaha know the format -- lose two games and it is time to pack your bags and head back home. Summer break is calling. Every game will have its standout players. Check out the guys who helped their team stay in the winners' bracket at the College World Series.
EVAN BROCK, UC IRVINE ANTEATERS
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | AB | BF | NP | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 36 | 3.09 |
Evan Brock earned the win for UC Irvine against Texas, pitching 2.1 innings of no-hit relief and striking out the side in the ninth. "I haven't had much bullpen experience, at least this year, but definitely my adrenaline was pumping [Saturday], so I mean, it was a big game," Brock said. "I haven't been in that type of situation late in the game in a long time. I mean, it was pretty fun for me, so that definitely got the juices flowing." The Anteaters advanced to a winners' bracket game Monday against Vanderbilt.
TAYLOR SPARKS, UC IRVINE ANTEATERS
| AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | PO | A | LOB | Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | .314 |
Taylor Sparks entered the College World Series with eight triples, a number good enough to lead the nation. He added another three-bagger to his total and it swung the game in the Anteaters' favor. "Taylor Sparks had a spectacular game, both on offense and defense," UCI head coach Mike Gillespie said. "So we got a hit to lead off the eighth, a good bunt, and a huge hit by Taylor, and then Chris [Rabago] came up big, makes it 2-1, another hit, then a two-strike base hit by [Jonathan] Munoz. We strung together some hits."
CARSON FULMER, VANDERBILT COMMODORES
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | AB | BF | NP | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 24 | 36 | 1.88 |
Vanderbilt and Louisville was a grinder -- taking 3 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Carson Fulmer worked six innings for the win, He struck out six Cardnials but knew the elements would work against him. "Obviously, going into the game I knew that the wind was going to be a factor. It was blowing straight in, as you guys
probably know. But when the ball goes up in the air and it's hit hard but you know that the ball's going to have a chance to stay in the yard," he said. "[The pitchers] just trust our defense with everything."
DANSBY SWANSON, VANDERBILT COMMODORES
| AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | PO | A | LOB | Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | .336 |
Dansby Swanson doubled in two runs to help Vanderbilt beat Louisville 5-3 in the College World Series on Saturday night. Swanson explained how the Commodores were able to handle Louisville's Kyle Funkhouser. "We were just able to see some pitches there and I was able to layoff of him," he said. "I thought we had good discipline for the first couple of innings. Made him work, and when he came in the zone, we were able to put some good swings on some good pitches."
Related:
• CWS Team Capsules
• CWS: By the Numbers
• Talented players in CWS
