College World Series winners and losers: The best and worst from Day 5 in Omaha
Louisville defeated Oregon State, 7-6, in a nailbiter as the Beavers came back from a three-run deficit in the top of the ninth only to give up the lead in the bottom of the inning. In the nightcap, Arkansas defeated UCLA, 7-3. The Bruins had previously resumed a suspended game against LSU in the morning, losing, 9-5.
Advertisement
In the semifinals beginning June 18, Arkansas will face LSU and Coastal Carolina will face Louisville. The Tigers and Chanticleers need only a single win, while the Razorbacks and Cardinals must win twice to advance to the championship series.
Here are the winners and losers:
WINNERS
Home runs (finally)
After the early games in Omaha saw very few home runs hit, the long ball made more of an impact on Day 5. LSU's Jared Jones hit a three-run homer that ultimately proved the game-winner in its game against UCLA (although the home run technically took place the night before, prior to the game being suspended due to rain). In the elimination game between Louisville and Oregon State, the Cardinals and Beavers hit two home runs apiece. Then, in the nightcap between Arkansas and UCLA, the Razorbacks got on the board with a two-run homer from Wehiwa Aloy.
Advertisement
After six total home runs in the first eight games, Day 5 featured five home runs.
The SEC
The SEC has had at least one team in every Men's College World Series final since 2016, and four of the last seven championship series have featured two SEC teams (not including 2022, when now-SEC member Oklahoma participated as a member of the Big 12).
But the league has had a rough postseason. Despite qualifying 13 teams to the tournament, just four of those teams made a super regional, and two of those teams (Arkansas and Tennessee) played each other. Two SEC teams made it to Omaha, but because they were on the same side of the bracket, it was guaranteed that at least one non-SEC team would get a shot at a championship.
Advertisement
But now, the SEC is guaranteed to have a team opposite Louisville or Coastal Carolina with LSU and Arkansas in the semifinal. The league has a good shot of having its sixth straight champion.
Wehiwa Aloy
The SEC Player of the Year had a quiet Omaha so far. But facing a fellow star shortstop in Roch Cholowsky, Aloy had a strong outing in the elimination game, going 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs. He hit a two-run home run to the opposite field in the first inning, showing off the power that has him ranked as a top MLB draft prospect.
LOSERS
Defense (again)
Of 15 errors committed in the College World Series so far, eight of them were by Oregon State. That cost the Beavers dearly, as it was an error on a sacrifice bunt that set up the eventual walk-off sacrifice fly that eliminated them.
Advertisement
But Oregon State was only in the game at that point because of an error. In the top of the ninth inning, the Beavers were down two runs with the bases loaded and one out when Louisville shortstop Alex Alicea booted a routine double-play ball. The error allowed two runs to score.
In the ninth inning of the Arkansas-UCLA game, the Razorbacks committed two errors, both of which led to runs scoring.
The West Coast
When the Pac-12 still existed, it had been over three decades since three of the league's teams had all made it to Omaha. In the first season after the league's dissolution, three former Pac-12 teams made it in Arizona, Oregon State and UCLA.
Advertisement
But none of those three teams will make it to the semifinals. Arizona was the first team eliminated, failing to win a game in Omaha. Oregon State and UCLA were both eliminated on Day 5.
"A lot of good players in the West, a lot of good coaches on the West. I think it has a bright future," UCLA coach John Savage said. "Bright future is maybe not the right word, because you look at the national championships and you look at the history of Omaha and West Coast teams. But things have changed. Everybody knows things have changed in terms of the facilities and the power. And the SEC clearly had a huge day, right, with Arkansas and LSU. But at the same time, you know, I think we can certainly build off this."
Gage Wood: How Arkansas baseball, Murray State reacted to Gage Wood's College World Series no-hitter
Gage Wood
Gage Wood was the biggest winner from Day 4 as his 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State made headlines. But just a day later, Wood forgot his jersey at the hotel, forcing him to wear Zach Root's windbreaker.
Advertisement
"We teach our kids to be honest around here," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn quipped when Root admitted the reason for the windbreaker.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winners and losers from Day 5 of College World Series in Omaha
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Letters to Sports: Split decision on Bill Plaschke's 'greatest' Dodgers column
Bill Plaschke has decided that Clayton Kershaw is the greatest pitcher in Dodgers history. Given the distinct eras in which they both pitched, and the completely different roles starting pitchers have today, it is really impossible to definitively conclude who is the absolute greatest. I think the best we can say is that, without much doubt, Sandy Koufax had the greatest five-year stretch of any pitcher in baseball history, and at his peak, was the most dominant pitcher in the history of the game. Kershaw, on the other hand, has had the greatest career and consistency of performance by any Dodger pitcher ever. And perhaps, Bill, it is best if we just leave it at that. Drew Pomerance Tarzana With all due respect to Bill Plaschke, why does Clayton Kershaw have to be "greater" than Sandy Koufax, or Don Drysdale for that matter? Can't we just enjoy all their greatness as part of Dodgers history without anointing one greater than another? Don't forget, Drysdale pitched six consecutive shutouts and 58 scoreless innings. What's greater than that? Advertisement Rhys Thomas Valley Glen In what should have been the easiest article to write in Mr. Plaschke's illustrious career, Bill completely whiffs when comparing Kershaw to Koufax. Baseball's dramatic evolution over the last 60 years makes it impossible to compare the greatness of both men. Sandy and Clayton represent the best in Dodgers baseball and there is no need to celebrate the greatest Dodgers pitcher of the 21st century at the expense of the greatest Dodgers pitcher of the 20th century. Rob Demonteverde Brea Special 'K ' night In the game when Clayton Kershaw got his 3,000th strikeout, the Dodgers had a Hollywood ending when Freddie Freeman drove Shohei Ohtani in for a walk-off victory. It was fitting that strikeout number 3,000 came at the expense of Vinny Capra — Vinny as in Vin Scully, and Capra as in legendary filmmaker Frank Capra. Advertisement Ken Feldman Tarzana Discriminating concern The Dodgers are going to lose on their defense of their DEI programs for the simple paraphrasing in the reason set forth by Chief Justice Roberts that the way to end discrimination is not more discrimination … which is what the Dodgers engage in. They have touted it over and over again publicly. The irony is that DEI is the absolute last thing the organization would think about in assembling and paying those on its 40-man roster. Strangely, the Dodgers' supposedly brilliant owners and management fail to realize that absent DEI, just hiring the best applicants would produce plenty of diversity in their baseball organization. Advertisement Kip Dellinger Santa Monica All credit to the Dodgers for their DEI programs. I hope that they don't back down. I have not been a fan of billionaire hedge fund CEOs. However, if Stephen Miller's stooges are going after Mark Walter, I can only have new respect for him. Good for you, Mr. Walter. Noel Park Rancho Palos Verdes The king's return LeBron James maxed out his pay, taking $52 million for next season, leaving the Lakers with $6 million to spend on free agents and trades, which won't get much in today's NBA. Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan and Tom Brady are examples of superstars who took pay cuts to help their teams build a championship roster. Advertisement Such is the difference between a team player and, well, whatever LeBron is. I guess he must be more worried about making his next mortgage payment than winning championships. Jack Nelson Los Angeles Breaking news: LeBron James has decided he will allow his employer, the Los Angeles Lakers, to pay him a reported $52.6 million next season. In other news, the sun once again rose this morning and Earth continues to rotate properly on its axis. Richard Turnage Burbank Let me get this straight. Two weeks ago LeBron James decried the "ring culture" in the NBA. Fast-forward to James opting into his $52-million player option and his proxy, Rich Paul, releases a cryptic statement indicating James expects the Lakers to make the necessary improvements to make them a championship team. Thought rings didn't matter, LeBron? Advertisement Mark S. Roth Playa Vista Purple and sold Bill Plaschke got it right in the case of the Lakers' new ownership. A new broom does not have to sweep clean! Even with their flaws and mistakes, Rob Pelinka and rookie coach JJ Redick earned at least a stay of execution. They have accomplished 'enough' to earn the eventual trust of the new boss in town. With this massive shift in ownership, having some semblance of continuity is not a bad idea. Rick Solomon Lake Balboa Mixed emotions For over 20 years, there has not been a single NHL player I detested more than Corey Perry, especially when he played for that other local team. I have called him (words unsuitable to print here) more than any player in any sport. Hopefully his stay is no more than one season … unless he helps the Kings win the Stanley Cup. In that case — love ya, Corey. Always have and always will. Advertisement Erik Schuman Fountain Valley As a die-hard Kings fan, I have mixed feelings on their signing Corey Perry. But, I suppose, in the team's desperation to make it out of the first round, they signed a player that guarantees that they will be next year's Stanley Cup Final runner-up! Nick Rose Newport Coast The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used. Email: sports@ Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Can Reese Olson's return give the Tigers' pitching staff a needed boost?
CLEVELAND — Coming off back-to-back losses and a dismal series defeat against the Washington Nationals, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch was resolute. There was no need for any sort of meeting, no need to waver from the straight-ahead approach that has helped the Tigers forge the best record in the American League. Advertisement 'I took a shower after the game,' Hinch said Friday afternoon. 'I got on the bus, went to the airplane, started looking at Cleveland's last seven to 10 games. Got in about 1 a.m. Went to bed. Woke up in a new city. That's how I handled it.' Hinch awoke in Cleveland with the knowledge that Reese Olson would stand on a major-league mound for the first time in 48 days, returning after a stint on the injured list with inflammation in his right ring finger. For a Tigers pitching staff continuing to leak oil, the return of the baby-faced right-hander was more than welcome. The Tigers have the best pitcher in baseball in Tarik Skubal. Casey Mize is having a terrific comeback season. But Jack Flaherty has been inconsistent. Jackson Jobe and Sawyer Gipson-Long are on the injured list. Keider Montero is back in Triple A, and a 34-year-old journeyman named Dietrich Enns got lit up for seven earned runs in four innings in his second start with the Tigers. Since June 1, Detroit's 4.35 team ERA has slipped into the bottom third of the league. In Olson, the Tigers hope for the return of a steady and stable presence, the kind who could be a difference-maker if he can harness the best version of himself in the second half of this regular season and perhaps beyond. In 36 outings since Sept. 2, 2023, Olson has a 3.04 ERA. Only 15 MLB pitchers who have thrown at least 150 innings have a better mark in that span. 'He is one of the more under-talked-about, underrated starting pitchers in our rotation,' Hinch said. 'Reese has been really good for a while, and getting him back is a boost to a rotation that needs it.' Olson's time on the IL lingered for longer than either he or the Tigers would have liked. The pain in his finger limited his ability to throw his signature changeup. He made three rehab starts before his return. Advertisement Friday against the division-foe Guardians, Olson initially looked like a pitcher still shaking off rust. Home-plate umpire Willie Traynor operated with a tight strike zone, and Olson fell behind eight of his first 10 batters. 'Kind of felt a little bit sped up in those first two innings,' Olson said. José Ramírez crushed a first-inning home run to give the Guardians an early edge. Olson continued to miss over the middle. Wenceel Perez's 97.9 mph dart from right field to home plate nabbed Bo Naylor and bailed Olson out of a dicey second inning. As the game went on, Olson looked more like the pitcher who last season threw two pitches — changeup and slider — both with whiff rates of more than 40 percent. Olson retired seven of his final nine hitters and left after 4 1/3 innings and 89 pitches. 'I think one of the things that's hard to transition from injury to competition is just adrenaline and just the energy that you have coming off the injured list,' Hinch said. 'I thought his delivery was quick. He just settled in and was able to use all his pitches. … We wanted him to have an eight in front of the pitch count, but we were also trying to squeeze as many outs as we could because he caught his rhythm.' The Tigers went on to an eventual 2-1 victory thanks to home-run heroics from Perez and Zach McKinstry. They also might not have won without another important pitching development. Tyler Holton, the super-reliever who last season had a 2.19 ERA and earned an MVP vote, has struggled for much of this season. He entered this outing with a 4.12 ERA and underlying metrics down across the board. Holton, though, fired 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. He struck out the side in the sixth, dispatching all three hitters on called third strikes. His velocity was up, and his stuff more closely resembled the Holton of old. Advertisement Holton has now thrown 7 2/3 straight scoreless innings. 'Tyler was huge in this game, to be able to get through the lineup once,' Hinch said. 'Big punchout on (Steven) Kwan, which you don't see a lot of. We extended him as far as we have this year.' If the Tigers are to fulfill their potential, they need more where that came from. Detroit can bolster its pitching staff at the trade deadline. But it's also possible this team's most meaningful improvements could come from within. Olson, in particular, gives the Tigers another quality starting pitcher capable of throwing in the postseason. This team was built to win with pitching, baserunning and small edges on the margins. It is players like Olson who could determine just how far all this goes. 'Glad to give a little boost to the team,' Olson said. 'I'm just glad to be back. Get the first one out of the way and get back in the groove of things.'
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Trans athlete bans are still about scoring political points, not fairness
How it started: On Oct. 10, 2024, San Jose State hosted San Diego State in women's volleyball. There were 66 kills recorded. But video of a would-be kill by a San Jose State player turned into all the rage after it was injected into the social media bloodstream.
