Towns Drives in Three as Virginia Returns to Title Series

 

In Omaha, Neb., Kenny Towns drove in three, including the game-winner in the seventh, as Virginia edged No. 4 Florida 5-4 Saturday evening at the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park.

 

The Cavaliers (42-23) advance to the best-of-three CWS Championship Series against Vanderbilt in a rematch of last season’s title series, won by the Commodores. The series begins on Monday, June 22 at 7 p.m. CT. The Gators finished the season at 52-18.

 

The game was tied at 4 heading to the bottom of the seventh. Ernie Clement had a leadoff single for Virginia and moved to second on a walk to Adam Haseley. Both runners moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel Pinero. Following an intentional walk to Matt Thaiss, Towns hit a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Clement and give Virginia a 5-4 lead.

 

Josh Sborz (6-2) earned the victory, pitching four innings of relief with three hits, one walk and two strikeouts. He relieved Brandon Waddell (5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 3 K).

 

Virginia started the scoring in the bottom of the first as Thaiss homered to right with two away to make it a 1-0 lead. It was his 10th long ball of the season.

 

Florida responded in the second as JJ Schwarz drew a leadoff walk and Peter Alonso went deep to center to give the Gators a 2-1 advantage.

 

The Cavaliers bounced back in the fourth. Pavin Smith laced a one-out triple to center and came home on a sacrifice fly by Joe McCarthy.

 

The Gators reclaimed the lead in the fifth on a one-out homer to center by Harrison Bader as UF took a 3-2 advantage.

 

Virginia responded in the bottom of the frame. Pinero had a two-out single and moved to third on a base hit by Thaiss. Both runners scored on a double down the left field line by Towns to give the Cavs a 4-3 lead.

 

Florida tied it in the sixth as Schwarz drew a leadoff walk and scored on a base hit by Rivera to make it 4-4.

 

Bader went 4 for 5 for the Gators.