June 22, 2006

College World Series Capsules

College World Series Schedule and Recaps

Beavers have shot at first national championship

In Omaha, Neb., Jonah Nickerson and Kevin Gunderson combined on a two-hit shutout as Oregon State eliminated Rice 2-0 in the College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium.

The Beavers (48-15) will face North Carolina in the best-of-three championship series beginning on Saturday at 7 p.m. EDT.

OSU recorded its fourth consecutive victory at the College World Series and its second straight shutout. The Owls (57-13) did not score in their final 23 innings in Omaha.

Nickerson (13-4) allowed two hits in 7.2 innings with three walks and nine strikeouts. Gunderson retired the final four batters to earn his 19th save.

The Beavers had just three hits, but all three contributed to their two runs. In the top of the second, Bill Rowe led off with a double on a 0-2 pitch. One out later, a wild pitch moved Rowe to third. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Mitch Canham to give OSU an early 1-0 edge.

Oregon State got its second run in the top of the fifth. Chris Kunda singled to lead off the inning and moved to third on a base hit by Shea McFeely. John Wallace’s fielder’s choice brought home Kunda to make it 2-0.

Aaron Luna had a single in the second for the Owls. Joe Savery doubled with one out in the bottom of the seventh for Rice. He moved to third on a fly ball to right and was stranded there as a flyout to left ended the rally.

Eddie Degerman (13-2) was the tough-luck loser for the Owls, going 4.2 innings with three hits, two runs, three walks and five strikeouts. Bryce Cox tossed 4.1 hitless innings for Rice with six strikeouts.