Cal might not be the only team of destiny in the College World Series. Top-seeded Virginia needed some heroics of their own to get to Omaha, and they waited until the very last moment to secure their spot.
UC Irvine had taken a 2-1 lead at the top of the ninth after a double-play ground out forced in the go-ahead run. It looked like Virginia was going to go down quietly when Danny Hultzen struck out and Kenny Swab grounded out to force the Cavaliers to their last out with nobody on.
And then, magic.
- David Coleman singled up the middle.
- Jared King dropped an infield single that got him to first and the pinch-runner Mitchell Shifflett to second.
- Reed Gragnani received four straight balls to load the bases up.
- Chris Taylor became the hero of the hour with a single on an 0-1 count to bring home King and the pinch-runner Corey Hunt.
Boom, ballgame.
Cal will now have to go through the top-seeded Cavaliers on Sunday morning in Omaha. The game starts at 11 AM PT/2 PM ET on ESPN. How confident are you about this matchup Cal fans? Let us know in the comments!
For more coverage of the Virginia baseball team, check out Streaking the Lawn. For more coverage of Cal baseball, head to California Golden Blogs.