June 25, 2008

Survivors to Meet One More Time

Fresno State and Georgia are each 5-0 in elimination games

By Phil Stanton

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

OMAHA, Neb. – Elimination game.

Most teams hate those two words. There have already been 62 teams eliminated from the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

Fresno State and Georgia have survived.

“I think Fresno State is undefeated, too,” said Georgia shortstop Gordon Beckham. “It’s a battle of the unbeatens in elimination games. Should be a great game. We’re 5-0 and they’re 5-0. It’s going to be a dogfight. It’ll be a lot of fun.”

Fresno State has played all its elimination games away from home. The Bulldogs defeated nationally-ranked San Diego to win the Long Beach Regional. Fresno State had to win two at No. 3 Arizona State to capture the Tempe Super Regional. The Bulldogs topped No. 2 North Carolina on Sunday to advance to the Championship Series. And Fresno State outscored No. 8 Georgia 19-10 Tuesday evening to force a Game 3 in the Championship Series.

“This club has a lot of heart,” said Fresno State head coach Mike Batesole. “This team has just been going and going and going. And they’re going to go for nine more innings.”

All of Georgia’s wins in elimination games came at home. After dropping the opener of the Athens Regional to Lipscomb, the Bulldogs rallied to defeat Louisville, Lipscomb and Georgia Tech twice to win the regional crown. Georgia won the first game of the Athens Super Regional with NC State, dropped the second and won the third to earn a trip to Omaha. Tuesday was Georgia’s first loss in the College World Series.

Only one team will stay undefeated in elimination games. That team will be the new national champ.