NCAA super regionals: Louisville advances to College World Series

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jeff Thompson surrendered one run in seven strong innings to make two early runs stand up in Louisville's 2-1 victory over No. 2 overall seed Vanderbilt in a NCAA super regional on Sunday, sending the Cardinals to the College World Series for the second time.

The Big East Conference pitcher of the year struck out nine, allowed three hits and threw 124 pitches. Zak Wasserman and Sutton Whiting drove in runs in the second inning for the Cardinals (51-12).

Left-hander Cody Ege earned his first career save by striking out Mike Yastrzemski with runners on the corners. Louisville is making its first trip to the CWS since 2007.

Vanderbilt freshman Zander Wiel homered in the sixth inning to account for the only extra-base hit of the series. The Commodores (54-12) stranded 11 runners for the second straight game.

South Carolina 8, North Carolina 0

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Jordan Montgomery pitched a four-hit shutout, leading South Carolina past North Carolina in the NCAA super regionals for the Tar Heels' most lopsided loss this year.

Joey Pankake drove in two runs during a five-run second inning for the Gamecocks (43-19), who forced a decisive game today in the best-of-3 series with the winner going to the College World Series.

The Tar Heels (56-10) won Saturday's opener 6-5 on an RBI single in the ninth, putting them within a win of returning to Omaha, Neb., for the sixth time in eight seasons.

But the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament got a short outing from a starting pitcher and fell behind early for the second straight day.

Indiana 11, Florida State 6

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Sam Travis hit a tiebreaking two-run homer, and Indiana beat Florida State to reach the College World Series for the first time in school history.

The Hoosiers (48-14) made the NCAA tournament for just the third time and were in their first super regional. But they played with plenty of poise on the road, sweeping the Seminoles.

Will Coursen-Carr (5-0) pitched four innings of relief for Indiana, allowing just one earned run. Coursen-Carr earned the win in the Big Ten tournament final, regional title game and super regional clincher.

After Florida State (47-17) scored three runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game 5-5, Travis gave the Hoosiers the lead for good in the bottom of the inning.

Scott Sitz (10-2) allowed seven runs, six of them earned, in 4 1-3 innings.

N.C. State 5, Rice 4, 17 innings

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State's Tarran Senay scored on a double by Brett Williams in the top of the 17th inning, rallying the Wolfpack to a victory over Rice in the longest super regional game in NCAA history.

Senay drove in the run that tied the game in the ninth inning at the Raleigh Super Regional and set the stage for N.C. State (49-14) to make its first College World Series appearance since 1968.

Rice (44-20) tied a season-high with three home runs. Two were solo shots by Christian Stringer.

N.C. State starter Logan Jernigan held Rice to two hits over five innings including Stringer's first home run.

Owls' starter Jordan Stephens yielded one earned run in 6 1-3 innings, and the Wolfpack left 15 runners on base.

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