Arkansas Razorbacks: South Carolina forces Friday elimination game in College World Series

June 21, 2012|Chris Replogle, KY3 News | Twitter @ky3hogsinsider or on Facebook @KYTV HogsInsider

OMAHA, Neb. - Arkansas faces elimination for the first time in the College World Series Friday.

Freshman Jordan Montgomery pitched eight innings of shutout baseball to lead the South Carolina Gamecocks (48-18) to a 2-0 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks (46-21)Thursday night. It was South Carolina's second elimination game win of the day.

"Tomorrow is win or go home," said Arkansas outfielder Matt Vinson. "I felt like our team came out a little flat today. We will come out a little more excited tomorrow and play with more energy."

South Carolina jumped out on Arkansas early. Back-to-back doubles by Erik Payne and Tanner English. A single by Chase Vergason scored English for a 2-0 lead against Razorbacks starter Randall Fant. Brandon Moore relieved Fant after only 1 1/3 innings. Moore and reliever Nolan Santana quieted South Carolina after the rest of the game, giving up just three hits.

"I was just thinking about coming in and throwing strikes and letting my defense work," said Moore. "I was not trying to think about going five or six innings, I was just taking it pitch-by-pitch.

Arkansas collected just three hits against Montgomery. The freshman faced just one batter over the minimum through those eight innings Arkansas had its best chance to score in the sixth inning. With two outs, Derek Bleeker singled to left field. Bo Bigham was thrown out trying to advance from first to third.

"He just had a really good ball game," said Arkansas Head Coach Dave Van Horn on Montgomery's performance. "We just didn't swing the bat good. "I'm just going to give the credit to him. He just did a tremendous job."

South Carolina became the first school in 60 years to win two games in one day at the College World Series. The Gamecocks beat the Kent State Flashes 4-1 in an elimination game earlier in the day.

Tanner says he's not exactly sure who will pitch Friday's game. Van Horn says he will throw DJ Baxendale and anybody else available. Baxendale pitched six innings Saturday, giving up a lone win in a win against Kent State. The winner will advance to play the Arizona Wildcats in a best of three series beginning Sunday for the natiional championship.

|

|

|