College World Series scores, schedule, recaps | Rivals.com All-America teams | Player, Pitcher of the Year

June 16, 2008

Kendall Rogers
Rivals.com College Baseball Editor

Before the College World Series, Florida State and Miami were expected to meet in the first winner's bracket game. Instead, the Seminoles and Hurricanes met in the first elimination game.

As with the regular season series between the two teams, it was the Hurricanes coming out on top ? this time by a score of 7-5.

"This was just a normal Florida State-Miami game," Miami coach Jim Morris said. "It's funny how the game came down to two runs. My heart can't take too many more of these type of contests."

Though Morris chuckled about Florida State scoring three runs in the top of the ninth inning to cut the Miami lead to 7-5, it certainly wasn't a laughing matter during the game for UM closer Carlos Gutierrez.

After scoring three runs to start the inning, the Seminoles were down by just two runs with Rivals.com National Player of the Year Buster Posey coming to the plate and representing the winning run.

Instead of trying to become the hero, Posey drew a walk and handed the reins to senior outfielder Jack Rye. Rye grounded out to second base to end the game, saving the game for Miami and likely ending Posey's collegiate career at Florida State.

"We weren't trying to walk him (Posey), but we also weren't going to throw him something down the middle," Morris said. "As for Posey, it's fun to watch someone like him play the game. He's arguably the best player in the history of Florida State baseball."

While Florida State's magical season came to an end Monday afternoon, Miami kept its national hopes alive.

The Hurricanes can thank left-handed pitcher Eric Erickson.

Miami started sophomore right-hander David Gutierrez, but he left the game in the second inning after getting hit in his throwing arm by a line drive off the bat of FSU designated hitter Tommy Oravetz. As a result, it was Erickson's turn to get the job done.

"The key to the game was when Erickson came in and kept them off balance," Morris said.

Erickson struck out six batters and allowed just one run on eight hits in five innings of work. It was his ninth win of the season.

"FSU is a phenomenal hitting team, I was just fortunate to go out there and make my pitches," Erickson said. "We also did a great job of playing defense and getting clutch hits."

The Sunshine State matchup lived up to its billing.

TOUGH LUCK

Miami coach Jim Morris surprised some when he opted to throw sophomore right-handed pitcher David Gutierrez instead of sophomore left-hander Eric Erickson. The decision certainly didn't come back to haunt the Hurricanes, as Erickson eventually entered the game. However, he entered the game under negative circumstances. In the second inning, FSU's Tommy Oravetz led off the frame with a screaming liner that connected with Gutierrez's throwing arm. The righty was forced to leave the game, and was taken to a local hospital. Fortunately, Morris said he should be OK following a negative X-Ray.

SEMINOLES STRANDED

After leaving 10 runners on base in its first CWS game against Stanford, Florida State had hoped to reverse that trend against Miami. The Seminoles didn't do that. They did worse. FSU set the CWS record for runners left on base with 17 against the Hurricanes. The previous record was 16, which was held by both Texas and Oklahoma in the 1950 and 1951 College World Series, respectively. FSU ended the CWS with 27 total runners left on base.

POSEY STILL PERFECT

Florida State catcher Buster Posey can still come back for his senior season, but conventional wisdom suggests the veteran eventually will sign with the San Francisco Giants. If that's the case, Monday's game against the Hurricanes was his last in a Florida State uniform. Posey earned praise from Miami coach Jim Morris following the game. But even more telling were Posey's actions in the ninth inning. As the winning run at home plate, Posey didn't try to be the hero and hit a three-run homer ? he drew a walk and put the game on the shoulders of senior Jack Rye. Posey's actions typified his career at Florida State.

BELIEVING BELLAMY

While Miami sophomore left-hander Eric Erickson did a great job in relief for starting pitcher David Gutierrez, fellow sophomore Kyle Bellamy also did a great job in relief. Bellamy allowed just two hits in two innings of work. He also struck out three batters. Bellamy just continues to be a dominant force out of the Miami bullpen.

Kendall Rogers is the college baseball editor for Rivals.com. He can be reached at rogersk@yahoo-inc.com.