June 16, 2009

Game 7 Recap

College World Series Schedule and Game Stories

College World Series Capsules

College World Series - Game 7 Notes

By Phil Stanton

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder
 

North Carolina tied a College World Series record with 23 hits against Southern Miss. That total was last hit by USC against Arizona State on June 6, 1998. ASU also had 23 hits against Oklahoma State on June 5, 1984, and against Wichita State on June 10, 1988.

Senior Garrett Gore of UNC tied a CWS record by playing in his 20th game in Omaha. He matched the mark set by Daryl Arenstein of USC from 1970-73.

Tar Heel Dustin Ackley became the 16th player to record five hits in a CWS game. The last was David Cooper of Cal State Fullerton, who went 5 for 5 against Clemson on June 20, 2006.

It was Ackley’s second five-hit game. His first came earlier this season on Feb. 22 against VMI.

Ackley has hit safely in all 14 of his CWS games, believed to be a record. He is batting .429 (27 for 63) in Omaha, which currently ranks ninth. Ackley is hitting .576 (19 for 33) in the 2009 NCAA Tournament with two homers and 12 RBI and is 7 for 11 in Omaha.

Ackley has 110 hits this season, one behind national leader Braeden Riley of Sam Houston State.

Mike Fox earned his 500th win at North Carolina. His career total is 1,040.

Southern Miss head coach Corky Palmer, who announced his retirement earlier this season, finished his career with 458 wins with the Golden Eagles and 960 overall. USM won its first Super Regional and made its first trip to the College World Series.

“It was a magical season,” Palmer said. “Our kids played great. I can’t ask any more of what we’ve done the last three weeks. It’s great for our baseball program, for our university and our community. I’m proud to be a part of it, real happy these guys let me work a little longer.”

Senior shortstop Brian Dozier had his season shortened with a broken clavicle on April 14. The former All-American had two plate appearances in the College World Series. He reached on catcher’s interference on Sunday against Texas and reached on an error against UNC.

“It’s very special for me,” Dozier said. “I didn’t really think I’d play college ball again. These guys pushed through the last half of the season, these past three weeks. It’s really special for me. To get my last at-bat, it really caps it off, just getting on base by an error. It’s been overwhelming for me. To end my career like this is phenomenal.”

The Golden Eagles turned two double plays to raise their total to 83, the top mark in the country.