Texas A&M (46-19) defeats Florida State (45-18) by a score of 6-2 to put the Aggies one win away from the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
Ross Stripling (14-2) gave Texas A&M a great start as he went 7 strong innings, giving up just two runs on seven hits while striking out eight. Kyle Martin and Nick Fleece threw the final two innings for the Aggies to seal the victory Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee.
Trailing 2-1 in the 7th inning, the Aggies put up four runs on four hits to break the game open and give them the 5-2 lead. Brandon Wood's two-RBI single started the scoring in the inning for the Aggies scoring Jacob House and Adam Smith. Kenny Jackson then blasted a double scoring Wood to extend the lead to 4-2 before Tyler Naquin singled in Jackson to give them the 5-2 lead.
Florida State had some chances at rallies as they had at least one hit in each of the final three innings. They are hoping to have better luck with runners on base on Sunday in game two with first pitch set for 4pm ET at Dick Howser stadium in Tallahassee. Texas A&M is looking at an opportunity to play for a National Championship that finds itself just one victory away.
South Carolina (49-14) beats Connecticut (45-19-1) 5-1 Saturday in the first game of the Columbia super regional.
Michael Roth went 8.1 innings for South Carolina giving up just one unearned run on six hits to improve to 13-3 on the season. The lone run came in the top of the first inning after George Springer singled to centerfield, but advanced to second base on an error by the centerfielder for South Carolina. The next batter, Mike Nemeth then singled in Springer to give Connecticut the early 1-0 lead.
That lead held until the 3rd inning when South Carolina got on the board by a two-out RBI-single by Scott Wingo that scored Evan Marzilli, who had just doubled to deep left field. Jake Williams scored the second run for South Carolina in the 4th inning on a wild pitch from Connecticut starter Matt Barnes.
Three consecutive RBI singles by Scott Wingo, Christian Walker and Brady Thomas in the bottom of the 5th inning broke the game open to 5-1 in favor of the Gamecocks.
These two teams play again at 7pm ET in Columbia for game two. South Carolina looks to punch their ticket to Omaha with a victory.