#3 Samford 3, #2 Mississippi State 2
(Mississippi State eliminated)
Tallahassee Regional
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-The third-seeded Samford baseball team plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to come from behind for a 3-2 win over second-seeded and 17th-ranked Mississippi State in an elimination game in the NCAA Tallahassee Regional Sunday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium.
"What a gutsy effort by a group of kids that haven't been here before," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "In this environment, in regional play, in an elimination game, for them to hold their composure is really impressive."
With the win, Samford advances to take on top-seeded and third-ranked Florida State Sunday evening at 5 p.m. (CT). The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.com.
Samford trailed, 2-1 entering the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs in the inning, Phillip Ervin singled up the middle and then stole second base. Brandon Miller then doubled to left field to drive in Ervin to tie the score at 2-2. Miller then scored when C.K. Irby reached base on a Mississippi State error to give Samford the lead for good.
Samford relief pitcher Joseph Burns (4-1) pitched 1.2 innings, allowing no hits and striking out two batters to earn the win. Starting pitcher Kyle Putkonen pitched 6.1 innings, giving up two runs on eight hits and striking out five batters. Irby came in to pitch the final inning, giving up just one hit to earn his 10th save of the season.
Samford was led at the plate by Miller, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Zeth Stone, Brad Moss and Irby also had two hits each for Samford.
Mississippi State's Jonathan Holder (2-1) pitched an inning, giving up two runs, just one earned, on three hits to take the loss. Matthew Britton led MSU at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Adam Frazier and Wes Rea also had two hits each for Mississippi State.
Mississippi State jumped on top first with a run in the top of the first inning. Frazier led the inning off with a single. Demarcus Henderson then walked, moving Frazier to second base. After both runners advanced one base on a sacrifice bunt, Frazier scored when Hunter Renfroe reached base on a fielder's choice for a 1-0 MSU lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Mississippi State added another run to push its lead to 2-0. Luis Pollorena and Rea led the inning off with back-to-back singles. Britton then singled to drive in Pollorena for MSU's second run of the game.
Samford came back with a run of its own in the bottom of the fourth inning. Miller and Irby led the inning off with back-to-back singles. With one out, the runners moved to second and third base on a ground out by Austin Allison. Tommy Corbin then singled to center field to drive in Miller, but Irby was thrown out trying to score to keep the score at 2-1.
With the win, Samford improves to 41-22. Mississippi State ends its season with a record of 40-24.
Sunday night's game can be heard in the Birmingham area on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu. Fans can also follow the game online via GameTracker at www.samfordsports.com.
#2 Georgia Tech 3, #3 College of Charleston 0
(College of Charleston eliminated)
Gainesville Regional
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - College of Charleston pitcher Josh Renfro performed admirably in his final start for the Cougars, but Georgia Tech reliever Alex Cruz quieted the CofC bats in a 3-0 pitcher's duel in a nationally-televised elimination game of the NCAA Gainesville Regional.
The Cougars end the season with a 38-22 record and the program's fifth NCAA appearance with the fourth SoCon Regular Season championship.
Renfro and Cruz were locked in a defensive struggle until a fluke play in the sixth inning allowed the Yellow Jackets to get on the board. Designated hitter Zane Evans lifted a high fly ball to left center field that CofC's Marty Gantt lost in the sun. The ball fell and Brandon Thomas came around to score and give Tech a 1-0 lead.
That was the only scoring of the game until the ninth inning when Connor Lynch lifted a two-run homer to the left field corner off of Kyle Owings to put the game out of reach.
Cruz (8-3) and Zane Evans held College of Charleston to just three hits in the entire game, as Cruz struck out three in six innings of work.
Renfro (6-8) pitched 7.1 innings, scattering six hits and allowing just one run while striking out five Yellow Jackets.
"This was a tough one. We pitched really well and played well defensively," head coach Monte Lee said. "Josh Renfro was outstanding and battled the entire game. We just couldn't find a way to score runs. Their pitching staff did a great job of getting ahead in the count and putting the ball down in the zone. Overall, I'm so proud of our seniors and the way that this team competed this season."
Rob Harding, Brandon Murray and Jimmy Holton picked up the only hits for the Cougars. Harding continued his stellar defensive play during the Regional, leaping to snag one potential double and charging a bunt attempt and throwing out a GT batter off-balance.
With the win, Georgia Tech advances to face regional host Florida in the Regional Championship game on Sunday night.
The Cougars move their record to 9-10 in five NCAA Regional appearances since 2004. College of Charleston has won at least one game in every Regional.