College World Series 2014 bracket update: UC Irvine, Vanderbilt pick up wins on Day 1

The 2014 College World Series got off to a surprising start on Saturday as UC Irvine, a team that backed into the tournament as a three-seed in Corvallis, rallied back late against perennial powerhouse Texas in the early afternoon contest. Later that night, Vanderbilt held off a rally from Louisville to claim vengance for their super regional loss from a season ago.

With just six defensive outs to go, Texas looked as though they were cruising to a 1-0 victory. Then things fell apart. UC Irvine’s Taylor Sparks drilled an RBI triple into the left-center gap in the top of the eighth to tie things up, and the Anteaters would go on to plate two more runs in the inning and continue their shocking streak through the NCAA Tournament.

Longhorns starter Nathan Thornhill entered that inning having given up just he four hits all game, but was yanked in favor of John Curtiss after allowing the leadoff man to reach second with one out. Thornhill played with fire early, allowing UC Irvine to put a man on third in three of the first four innings, but he settled down and breezed through the middle frames.

Texas, whose sole run came off of squeeze play in the second inning, had their opportunities to take a commanding lead. They stranded a total of 10 base runners, eight of which were left in scoring position. They had Anteater starter Andrew Morales on the ropes early with control issues, but repeatedly let him wriggle off the hook without damage.

UC Irvine lost eight of their last nine regular season games and snuck into the tournament as one of the last four in. They’ve been on a tear ever since, knocking off top-seeded Oregon State in regional play before sweeping Oklahoma State in the Stillwater super regional.

This time last year, Vanderbilt was sitting at home watching Louisville in Omaha after the Cardinals knocked them out of the super regionals. They got their revenge on Saturday night.

Vandy jumped out to a four-run lead on Louisville ace Kyle Funkhouser, grabbing three runs in the second before adding another in the fourth. Louisville wouldn’t go away though, crossing the plate twice in the fifth. Nick Solak then closed the gap to one in the top of the seventh with an RBI single.

The Commodores immediately responded in the bottom of the seventh with a run on a passed ball, and Adam Ravenelle worked the final 2⅓ for the save.

Vandy head coach Tim Corbin’s decision to throw Carson Fulmer instead of Friday night ace Tyler Beede paid off, with Fulmer giving up just two runs over 5⅓. Beede, a first-round MLB selection, will be available for the winners’ bracket game against UC Irvine on Monday.

The four teams from this group will be back in action on Monday. Louisville will meet Texas at 3 p.m. ET in an elimination losers’ bracket game, while Vanderbilt and UC Irvine face off at 8 p.m. ET in the winners’ bracket.

For a complete bracket update, visit NCAA.com.