The College World Series reaches its conclusion Wednesday night in Omaha, Nebraska, as Virginia and Vanderbilt meet in the final game of their best-of-three series (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). Virginia sent the CWS to a decisive third game by beating Vandy 7-2 on Tuesday night after losing the opener 9-8.
College baseball’s playoffs, through Regionals and Super Regionals and Super Duper Regionals (OK, I made that one up) stretch the season to lengths not seen since the Hundred Years’ War (which also wasn’t as interesting as baseball, and there’s a thought to dwell on). Both Virginia and Vandy are closing in on the 70-game mark for the season.
Teams get the equivalent of 11.7 scholarships for rosters that typically number more than 20, so much of the grant money is divided in pieces (with pitchers getting the better part of it). It’s a lot of work (and a lot of play) for college students, whose semesters generally end in early May.
The baseball, and the people in it, have been endlessly fascinating. Texas, knocked out by Virginia, is coached by 75-year-old Augie Garrido, who might be facing the squeeze (and we don’t mean a bunt) from the Longhorns new athletic director, Steve Patterson. Garrido the Garrulous has a year left on his deal (at $1 million) and would like an extension. That remains to be seen, but Garrido has a long history of winning titles and is beloved in Austin.
Vanderbilt third baseman Tyler Campbell had barely played before last Friday, when Xavier Turner was ruled ineligible for violating NCAA rules. Campbell had two hits and drove in the winning run in the 10th inning against Texas on Friday, and has continued to hit well since. His growth as a player has happened in front of a live audience.
Now a long season is distilled to its essence, a single game. It will be the third in three days. Virginia coach Brian O’Connor is an Omaha native who played in the CWS in 1991 for Creighton. That’s just one more compelling storyline in a lengthy baseball tale woven through the spring and summer.
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .
LeBron James’ Home Team is Growing
-
All-Rounder Stokes Aims for Recovery Ahead of Upcoming India Test Series England Test captain Ben Stokes has announced that...
-
NBA Star Penalized for Inappropriate Gesture During Victory Over Trail Blazers Philadelphia 76ers’ star center, Joel Embiid, has been...
-
Spanish Football Chief Faces Scrutiny Over World Cup Incident The Spanish government announced on Tuesday that it has submitted...
-
University of Houston Mourns the Loss of Former Basketball Star Reggie Chaney The University of Houston community is deeply...
-
Former President Donald Trump Leaves Republicans Speculating on His Debate Strategy Former President Donald Trump has definitively confirmed that...
-
As Neymar’s desire for a new chapter surfaces, the football world debates whether he will return to Barcelona’s embrace...
-
The football legend mesmerizes with a dazzling display and debuts a Wakanda Lionel Messi wowed fans once again with...
-
Andrew Wiggins Returns: Ready to Help Warriors Defend Championship Title! Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has returned to...
-
Scotland’s rugby team has been dealt a significant blow. Scotland’s rugby team has been dealt a significant blow with...
-
Diaz injured his knee while the Puerto Rican team was celebrating its victory. During Wednesday night’s game in the...
-
Number 16 has joined the legendary likes of Numbers 8 and 24. Despite retiring from the NBA in 2021,...
-
Tatum was slapped with his first career ejection after two technical fouls. Monday night was a rough one for...