June 19, 2011

CWS Scores & Schedule

Virginia outlasts Cal in pitchers' duel

By Jimmy Jones

Special to CollegeBaseballInsider.com

OMAHA, Neb. - The Cal Bears gave top-seeded Virginia all it could handle for six-plus innings but were unable to break through offensively in falling 4-1 on a gorgeous day for baseball on Sunday afternoon at TD Ameritrade Park.

Virginia, whose 55 wins lead the nation, had its troubles at the plate through six innings but was able to break through in the bottom of the seventh when Keith Werman (right) led off with a single up the middle and Chris Taylor worked his way on with a walk off Cal reliever Matt Flemer.

After a John Barr sacrifice bunt, John Hicks delivered in the clutch with a solid single to center to plate Werman. Steven Proscia added a run with a sacrifice fly to score Taylor for a 2-0 advantage.

The Cavaliers, who were 45-2 on the season when they led after seven innings, added to the total as Tyler Wilson and Branden Kline, who was just named to the Team USA roster, finished it out.

“I thought that we played a very good fundamental game both defensively and at the plate,” Virginia coach Brian O'Connor said. “Cal’s pitchers did a very good job but I was confident that if we continued to battle that we would have a chance to win it late and fortunately we did.”

All-American Danny Hultzen (right) worked 6.1 innings for Virginia but did not figure into the decision. He allowed just three hits, walked three, struck out six and left with the score tied at 0-0 to lower his ERA to 1.41.

“Hultzen grinded out another start,” O'Connor said. “I was starting to wonder for a while. We had a lot of missed opportunities where we didn't capitalize. I think that speaks to the quality of the Cal arms and their ability to pitch out of jams.”

Cal (37-22) utilized four hurlers with starter Erik Johnson taking the ball for three innings and giving up just two hits. The right-hander did not allow a run despite issuing five walks.

Offensively, the Bears finished the game just 1 for 19 with runners on base and were 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

“We had confidence the whole time,” Cal coach David Esquer said. “Our pitchers did an unbelievable job of keeping us in the game. We just couldn’t get it together offensively. We knew that we would come through eventually but we waited just a little too late.”

Logan Scott followed Johnson for the Golden Bears and threw three innings. He was responsible for two earned runs on three hits and one walk to take the loss.

Bears reliever Kevin Miller followed Scott and allowed two runs, both earned, on three hits in the eighth.

Virginia advances to play South Carolina on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT.

Cal plays an elimination game against Texas A&M on Tuesday at 1 p.m. CT. 

(photos courtesy of Virginia Media Relations Office)