A pitcher’s duel with a dramatic finish and the most dominating offensive performance of the tournament marked Day 2 of the 2016 D2 Baseball College World Series. Here’s a quick recap of Monday’s action.
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BR-51 Southern Indiana 1, BR-32 Angelo State 0
For the second time in the tourney, Angelo State found themselves on the wrong side of a pitcher’s duel. Monday’s 1-0 elimination game loss to Southern Indiana, however, marked the end of the season for the South Central Regional champions.
Former USAF Mike Williamson throws the first pitch to son and @USIBaseball catcher Shawn Williamson on Memorial Day pic.twitter.com/AhFjPlPHwH
— USI Athletics (@USIAthletics) May 30, 2016
Both teams had chances to strike first during the first inning. Angelo State stranded runners at second and third in the top of the first inning, while Southern Indiana wasted a leadoff double in the bottom of the second.
Hamilton Carr gave the Screaming Eagles another opportunity to break the deadlock in the bottom of the sixth after a leadoff walk. After being bunted over to second and advancing to third on a flyout to right, Carr was left stranded at third after a two-out flyout to right ended the frame.
The Rams also had a golden opportunity in the top of the seventh. Jarryd Klemm led off the inning with a single, then was bunted over to second. After reaching third on a groundout, Klemm too was left stranded as Angelo State couldn’t capitalize following a flyout to left.
The ninth inning proved to be the Rams’ undoing as a caught stealing and lineout double play killed a potential rally. The Screaming Eagles would take advantage.
After a leadoff walk to Kyle Kempf, Sam Griggs reached on an error by the Angelo State shortstop, then Ryan Bertram was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Walk it off @USIAthletics. Moves on with 1-0 win over @AngeloSports #D2Baseball pic.twitter.com/phfQl95KjX
— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) May 30, 2016
Drake McNamara would make Angelo State pay for the intentional free pass as he laced a single up the middle, allowing Kempf to score the game winning run.
Lucas Barnett (8-5) earned the complete game win, scattering five hits over nine innings while striking out two. Graylon Brown (6-7) suffered the loss, wasting a strong performance by Rams starter Matt Shannon, who held the Screaming Eagles to just two hits over 7 1/3 innings.
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BR-2 Millersville 11, BR-21 Cal Poly Pomona 3
After lightning forced a lengthy delay to start the game, another Millersville starter threw a gem as the Marauders defeated Cal Poly Pomona 11-3 to go 2-0 in the College World Series.
Current status of #D2Baseball Championships. @VilleMarauders and @cppbroncos start may be pushed back a bit. pic.twitter.com/2u9ljkfEqH
— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) May 30, 2016
The Marauders offense scored as many runs in their second round contest than the four winning teams in Saturday’s opening round. A perfectly executed double steal set up the game’s first run in the bottom of the first as Tyler Orris scored on a Mitch Stoltzfus sacrifice fly to make it a 1-0 game. Drew Stoltzfus would double home Chas McCormick to give the Marauders a 2-0 lead.
Orris would strike again in the bottom of the second with an RBI triple while David Summerfield’s RBI single in the bottom of the third would chase Cal Poly Pomona starter Max Bethell (10-5) after 2 2/3 innings and Millersville holding a 4-0 lead.
The Stoltzfus connection would strike again in the seventh as the Marauders took a 6-0 lead thanks to Mitch Stoltzfus’ RBI single, followed by Drew Stoltzfus’ RBI double.
Can you say #BroncosRally? @calpolypomona forced a @VilleMarauders to the pen. CPP deficit 6-3 after Romo double! pic.twitter.com/XtBJvCv87t
— Cal Poly Pomona Athl (@cppbroncos) May 31, 2016
Millersville starter Jim McDade (12-0) threw seven innings of shutout ball before the Broncos mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the eighth. Jacob Bernardy drew a walk, then Jared James laced a single to right field. The Marauders looked to be out of the inning, but right fielder McCormick dropped what would likely have been the third out, allowing Bernardy to score. A Caleb Romo double plated two Broncos as the lead was cut to 6-3, chasing McDade from the game.
The Marauders bullpen would close the door on Cal Poly Pomona while the Millersville offense would add five runs in the bottom of the eighth to put the game out of reach.
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ON TAP FOR TUESDAY
It’s do or die time in the Bracket 2 elimination contest as BR-27 Central Missouri takes on BR-9 Franklin Pierce at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. BR-5 Nova Southeastern takes on BR-1 Lander in a Bracket 2 Winner’s Round contest at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
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