June 21, 2014

Vanderbilt Edges Texas, Reaches Title Series

In Omaha, Neb., backup third baseman Tyler Campbell had a base hit with two away in the bottom of the 10th to bring home Rhett Wiseman with the game-winning run as Vanderbilt nipped Texas 4-3 Saturday evening to advance to the championship series of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park.

The Commodores (49-20) will face third-seeded Virginia in a best-of-three series beginning on Monday at 7 p.m. CT. Both teams will be seeking their first national title. The Longhorns finished the season with a 46-21 mark.

With two away in the 10th, Wiseman (2 for 4) singled to center and stole second. Pinch-hitter Ro Coleman drew a walk. Both runners moved up a base when Karl Ellison was hit by a pitch. Campbell, who was playing in place of ineligible starter Xavier Turner, delivered a base hit to plate Wiseman with the game-winner.

Vanderbilt scored single runs in the first and third to take an early 2-0 lead. Bryan Reynolds (2 for 5) had a one-out base hit in the first and came in on a fielder's choice by John Norwood (2 for 5). Vince Conde (2 for 5) started the third by reaching on an error. He moved to second on a bunt single, stole third and scored on a throwing error to give the Commodores a 2-0 advantage.

Texas rallied to tie it in the fourth. C.J. Hinojosa had a leadoff double and moved to third on a single by Collin Shaw. A walk to Johnson loaded the bases with no outs. Following a strikeout, Kacy Clemens singled to drive in Hinojosa and Shaw and knot the score at 2.

The Commodores reclaimed the lead in the fifth. Zander Wiel drew a one-out walk, moved to second on a base hit by Norwood and scored on a double by Wiseman to give Vanderbilt a 3-2 advantage.

The Longhorns quick answered in the sixth. Tres Barrera had a leadoff triple and came in on a single by Zane Gurwitz (2 for 4) to even the score at 3-3.

Hayden Stone (3-0) earned the win in relief, allowing three hits and a run in 5.2 innings with one walk and eight strikeouts. He finished for starter Carson Fulmer (4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 6 BB, 3 K).