2010 College World Series: UCLA Defeats TCU 10-3; South Carolina Knocks Off Clemson, 4-3

South Carolina lost a chance to drive in some runs when Whit Merrifield hit into a double play with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eight. The pressure is now back on Clemson, who must score a run in the ninth against Gamecocks closer Matt Price to keep their season alive.

A stolen base by Evan Marzilli and a throwing error by catcher John Nestor put the go-ahead run for South Carolina on third base, with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Carolina star Jackie Bradley Jr. was intentionally walked, but Christian Walker came through with an RBI single. Adrian Morales followed up with another single. A brilliant catch by center fielder Wilson Boyd ended the inning, Carolina up 4-2

Alex Frederick relieves Harman in the bottom of the seventh inning, scored still tied 2-2.

Clemson has tied the game with a fielder’s choice in the top of the second inning. With a runner on first and two out, South Carolina is bringing in closer Matt Price to stop the Tigers rally.

This isn’t exactly a pitcher’s duel in the classic sense, since both teams have squandered chances to score. But it’s now the top of the sixth, both Dyson and Harman still in the game.

Christian Walker hit a home run to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning, moving South Carolina ahead 2-1.

Clemson got some good swings off Sam Dyson in the second inning, but came away empty, stranding two runners on base. The game moves to the bottom of the second, Carolina ahead 1-0.

Carolina loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning on three singles, but only got one run across the plate on a fielder’s choice when Christian Walker grounded into a double play to score Evan Marzilli. The game is 1-0 entering the second inning.

On the mound for Clemson is lefty Casey Harman, with a 3.77 ERA and a 100/34 K/BB in 115 innings. He doesn’t throw as hard as mound opponent Dyson, but throws strikes and keeps hitters off balance. Dyson threw a 1-2-3 inning to begin the game, but Harman has already given up a leadoff single.

On three days rest, Sam Dyson takes the mound for South Carolina against Clemson this evening. He has very good stuff and can get up to 93-94 MPH, but his command of secondary pitches is not always consistent.

Trevor Bauer pitched eight strong innings in wicked 110 degree heat, fanning 13, leading UCLA to a 10-3 victory over the Texas Christian Horned Frogs. Dan Klein closed out the game with an easy ninth inning. The Bruins move on to the Championship Series starting Monday night, playing the winner of tonight’s game between Clemson and South Carolina. The next game begins at 7 P.M. EDT. Stay tuned.

The Bruins bow to reason and hold Trevor Bauer back, putting closer Dan Klein into the game in the top of the ninth inning to protect a 10-3 lead.

Amazing game from UCLA’s Trevor Bauer...he struck out the side in the eighth inning, giving him 13 this afternoon, in brutal heat and humidity. Unless he suddenly becomes human, this game is out of reach for TCU.

Beau Amaral hit an RBI double down the left field line, scoring another run and pushing UCLA up to a 10-3 lead over TCU. The game isn’t technically at the out-of-range point for the Horned Frogs, but they have to shut the Bruins down now and hope to get into the bullpen. Bauer is expected to start the eighth inning for UCLA

UCLA’s Dean Espy launches a home run to begin the bottom of the seventh, pushing the Bruins lead to 9-3 against TCU. Eric Marshall enters the game in relief for the Horned Frogs.

UCLA scores two additional runs in the bottom of the sixth, using three singles and a passed ball, pushing their lead to 8-3. If they hold on to win this game, the strong performance from starting pitcher Trevor Bauer does much to preserve the bullpen for the championship series. But the game isn’t over yet...

Bauer used just six pitches to get through the sixth inning. UCLA remains in the lead 6-3.

Merck worked out of the fifth inning jam for TCU, moving the game to the top of the sixth. Temperatures on the field exceed 100 degrees, and at some point the heat will have to start getting to UCLA starter Trevor Bauer. His curveball is working well and so far he doesn’t look tired at all.

Ace reliever Kaleb Merck in to pitch for TCU, with UCLA runners on first and second, nobody out, bottom of the fifth. Merck has a 0.94 ERA on the season.

Bryan Holaday has knocked another home run, this one in the top of the fifth, cutting the UCLA lead to 6-3.

A sacrifice fly by TCU DH Joe Weik scored Mike Curry from third base, cutting UCLA’s lead to 6-2 entering the bottom of the fourth. Trevor Bauer fanned two but his pitch count has climbed over 80.

Cody Regis doubles in an additional run, giving UCLA a 6-1 lead. Trent Appleby came in in relief of Gerrish to shut UCLA down. The game is not out of reach yet, but some heroics will be needed from the Horned Frogs, and the bullpen can’t give up many more runs.

Trevor Bauer worked out of a second inning jam with runners on first and third, keeping UCLA ahead 5-1 over TCU. He’s now up to 44 pitches in two innings, however, and in today’s hot/humid conditions fatigue will be a factor.

The Bruins scored an additional run on an RBI double by Jeff Gelalich. Another run came in on an infield single by Dean Espy, scoring Gelalich. UCLA ended up hitting around. This looks like it will be a high-scoring game given the weather conditions, but the Bruins have given Bauer some margin to work with.

A first inning three-run homer by Blair Dunlap, his sixth of the season, puts UCLA up over TCU by 3-1 in the first inning. TCU starter Kyle Winkler has already been pulled from the game in favor of reliever Paul Gerrish.