The 2011 College World Series wrapped up its first round of elimination games on Tuesday as the California Golden Bears eliminated the Texas A&M Aggies with a 7-3 victory. The Aggies were sent home a day after UNC sent Texas packing. The Bears victory moved them along in the losers' bracket as they look to continue their magical run. Their opponent in Thursday's elimination game? A rematch with the Virginia Cavaliers.
Virginia followed up their CWS-opening victory over Cal with a 7-1 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks. SC jumped all over Virginia from the get-go as they scored three runs in the top of the first on an two doubles, a single, and an error. The Gamecocks added a run in the third, two runs in the fourth and one more for good measure in the eighth. The offensive output was more than enough support as Colby Holmes, John Taylor and Matt Price combined to hold the Cavaliers to one run on five hits and two walks.
Cal and Virginia will meet on Thursday at 4:00pm pacific to determine who goes home and who advances to the CWS semifinals to face South Carolina. It will be interesting to see whether the Cavaliers go with Danny Hultzen on short rest or have him available out of the bullpen. They don't want to mess up his arm, but it's also a do-or-die game so I would imagine he would at the very least be available in relief while serving as the team's designated hitter.
Make sure and follow our 2011 College World Series StoryStream over the coming days for CWS results. For more on Cal, check out California Golden Blogs.