BOX SCORE
Omaha, Neb. - In the Titans' longest outing of the College World Series and 2006 season, fifth-seeded Cal State Fullerton falls to the University of North Carolina, 8-5, in front 23,385 fans in the opening round of the 2006 College World Series. With missed opportunities in the late innings, the Titans move to 0-5 in extra-inning games in Omaha. Tonight's game was the second longest game in College World Series history with a time of four hours and 42 minutes.
North Carolina improves to 51-13, while the Titans fall to 48-14.
In the top of the first inning, Reid Fronk blasted a solo home run deep into right field to give the Tar Heels an early lead. Later in the inning, with two outs, North Carolina struck again with back-to-back hits. Jay Cox singled down right field to drive in Chad Flack, who reached base of a double to centerfield, giving UNC a 2-0 lead.
The Titans answered the Tar Heel offense, scoring one run in the bottom of the first with a Danny Dorn RBI double to centerfield. Senior Justin Turner would cross home plate to put Cal State Fullerton on the board.
Benji Johnson opened the second inning with a two-run homer, UNC's second of the game, making it the first time Titan pitcher Wes Roemer has allowed two long bombs in one contest. The right-hander would retire the next three batters to end the inning with UNC leading 4-1.
In the bottom of the second, Cal State Fullerton would cut the Tar Heels lead to two (4-2) after Evan McArthur hit a wind-aided home run to leftfield. McArthur's blast was just the second home run UNC's left-hander Andrew Miller has given up all season.
With two outs in the bottom of the third, Jared Clark knocked a three-run home run to lift the Titans to a 5-4 lead. Clark drove in both Danny Dorn and Bryan Harris. Dorn reached base on a walk, while Harris singled to centerfield, placing the go-ahead run at the plate.
After two scoreless innings, Josh Horton battled for his first single of the night to drive in Garrett Gore to tie the game at 5-5 in the top of the fifth, a score that would carry through to the 13th inning.
UNC's Miller held Cal State Fullerton to four consecutive scoreless innings before being pulled in the top of the eighth. The Tar Heel ace, who posted nine strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings pitched, was relieved by right-hander Jonathan Hovis.
Following in North Carolina's footsteps, Cal State Fullerton's starter, Roemer, was relieved in the top of the ninth by Ryan Paul. Roemer leaves the game after eight innings pitched with six strikeouts and no walks. After allowing four runs in the first two innings, the 2006 Big West Pitcher of the Year allowed only one run in the next six innings.
The bottom of the ninth showcased the best scoring potential for the Titans late in the game. Turner, four-for-seven for the night, doubled to centerfield before Davis was intentional walked, putting runners on first in second. With a full count on two outs, Pill popped up to third base to end the inning and send the game to extra innings, knotted at 5-5.
The Titans escaped the top of the 10th without allowing a run, but were unable to capitalize with a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the inning for the second consecutive outing.
Cal State Fullerton's Saturday-night starter, Lauren Gagnier, stepped to the mound to open the 11th inning for the Titans. He retired the first three batters he faced to make for a quick outing. North Carolina also switched pitchers with Matt Danford heading to the bump for North Carolina.
A wild 11th inning ended with the Titans leaving the bases loaded to send the game to the 12th inning. Vanderhook had a leadoff walk and stole second, but was later picked off at third. Davis reached first and later advanced to second off a strikeout passed ball, which also placed Pill at first. Dorn was intentionally walked, loading the bases with two outs, leaving Cooper at the plate. He would pop-up to short center to close the inning.
In the 12th, North Carolina went three and out, while the Titans were inches away from a game-winning walk-off home run by McArthur.
Closer Andrew Carignan entered the line-up for the Tar Heels to kick-off the bottom of the 13th. Vanderhook strikeouts in the leadoff spot, followed Turner single. Davis recorded CSF's second out of the inning, bringing Pill to the plate. The first baseman tallied the second Titan hit of the inning and brought the winning runner to the plate. Dorn came up short and hit a long ball that was caught by leftfielder Jay Cox to end the inning and give North Carolina a 7-5 win.
Danford was credited with the win and improves to 7-1 on the season with Carignan recording his 14th save of the year, while Gagnier drops to 14-5.
Cal State Fullerton returns to Rosenblatt Stadium for its second game of the College World Series on Sunday, June 18 when they take on Georgia Tech at 1:00 p.m. Sunday's game will be a do-or-die contest with the winner advancing to Tuesday's game, while the loser is eliminated.
In the earlier game, Clemson defeated ACC-rival Georgia Tech, 8-4, after the Tigers scored eight-runs in the eighth inning to take a four-run lead. The Tigers will take on North Carolina in the winner's bracket on Sunday, June 18 at 6:00 p.m.
Post Game Quotes:
Head Coach George Horton
"It was a good ball game, but we are obviously disappointed when we put up that much effort and come out short."
"I am proud of our guys. They did a great job batting against Andrew Miller. I commend North Carolina an their relief pitching."
(Regarding Vanderhook picked off third)
"Young kids get caught up in the emotion. We had knowledge that they use that play and the kid did a great job executing the play and Cory fell asleep a little bit."
(On who is starting Sunday)
"When we sent Gagnier in, after the second inning pitched, the decision was made that (Dustin) Miller would start on Sunday. We have a lot of confidence in Miller."
Justin Turner
"It is just the way it goes sometimes. We set the table great, but just couldn't get the timely hits. The whole game was exciting and intense."
"Both teams played good baseball, and I think that's what people came to see."
Starting Pitcher Wes Roemer
"I felt shaky in the first few innings and my slider wasn't what I wanted it to be, and that is my go-to pitch. In the later innings I started more with the fast ball and the game got easier."