The 2015 College World Series has arrived – with Arkansas and Virginia set to tangle in game–1. College Baseball 360’s overview of this 2015 CWS opener follows below … look for more content throughout the week, including assortment of video interviews from Omaha (both formal press conferences and CB360 exclusives) …
OFFICIAL 2015 NCAA BASEBALL BRACKETS
Interactive overall + CWS (HTML) | PDF bracket for CWS (printable)
GAMEDAY COVERAGE
– Live Stats/Scoreboard: Gametracker | NCAA version | ESPN version
– ESPN video stream
– UVa Radio
– Arkansas Radio
TEAM LINKS
> Virginia – UVa’s CWS Central
CWS Game Notes | Roster (w/ bio links) | Media Guide | Schedule/Results | Stats
> Arkansas – Hogs CWS Central
CWS Game Notes | Roster (w/ bio links) | Media Guide | Schedule/Results | Stats
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GAME ONE – Saturday … June 13, 2015
(2 CT … ESPN)
– Virginia (39–22), regional 3–seed
vs.
– Arkansas (40–23), regional 2–seed
• NCAA Tournament History
– Virginia 15–time NCAA entrant (47–32), including 12 straight
… 6 Super Regional appearances (9–7): 2009–10–11–13–14–15
… 4th College World Series appearance (7–6): 2009–11–14 (runner-up)–15
– Arkansas 28–time NCAA entrant (71–59; .546), including 14 straight
… 6 Super Regional appearances: 2002–04–09–10–12–15
… 8th College World Series appearance (11–14): 1979–85–87–89–2004–09–12–15
• Series History (UVa leads 2–1)
– All three previous games have come in NCAA Tournament play, as Arkansas eliminated Virginia from the 2014 CWS (4–3, in 12 inn.) while UVa beat the Razorbacks twice in the 2009 Charlottesville Regional (3–0, and 9–2/title game).
• Road To Omaha
– Virginia: after going 33–19 in the 2015 regular season and placing 7th in the ACC standings (15–15), the Cavs have won six of their nine postseason games (1–3 at ACC Tournament; 5–0 in NCAAs):
… 11–0 vs. Georgia Tech (7 inn.; ACC play-in game)
7–9 vs. Miami
2–8 vs. Notre Dame
2–10 vs. North Carolina State
6–1 vs. USC (Lake Elsinore, CA)
3–1 vs. San Diego State (Lake Elsinore, CA)
14–10 vs. USC (Lake Elsinore, CA)
5–3 vs. Maryland
5–4 vs. Maryland
– Arkansas: after going 33–20 in the 2015 regular season and placing 5th in the SEC standings (17–12), the Hogs have won seven of their 10 postseason games (2–2 at SEC Tournament; 5–1 in NCAAs):
… 2–1 vs. Tennessee
7–6 vs. Florida
5–10 vs. LSU
0–10 vs. Florida
8–6 vs. Oral Roberts (at OK State)
7–5 vs. St. John’s (at OK State)
4–3 vs. St. John’s (at OK State)
18–4 vs. Missouri State
1–3 vs. Missouri State
3–2 vs. Missouri State
• Probable STARTING PITCHERS Matchup:
– Virginia: so. RHP #33 Connor Jones (Chesapeake, Va.)
* invited to play w/ U.S. Collegiate National Team (summer ’15) *
2.96 ERA … 7–2 in 16 starts
2.2 K-to-walk ratio (105/48) … 11.2 WHIP (walks+hits per 9 IP)
81 hits allowed in 103.1 innings (.218 opp. batting avg. w/ 3 HR)
9–inn. averages: 7.1 hits, 4.2 BB, 9.2 Ks
7 wild pitches … 5 hit batters … 1 walk
> 2015 NCAA Starts (2–0 … 2.45 … 14.2–4R–7BB–8K)
… win in 6–1 game vs. USC (7.2–R–5H–2BB–4K)
… win in 5–3 game vs. Maryland (7.0–3R–3H–5BB–4K)
– Arkansas: jr. RHP #21 Trey Killian (Mountain Home, Ark.)
* 9th-round 2015 MLB draft section (Colorado Rockies) *
4.74 ERA … 3–4 in 14 starts
2.6 K-to-walk ratio (56/22) … 12.9 WHIP (walks+hits per 9 IP)
92 hits allowed in 79.2 innings (.294 opp. batting avg. w/ 8 HR, also 21 doubles)
9–inn. averages: 10.4 hits, 2.5 BB, 6.3 Ks
2 wild pitches … 7 hit batters
> 2015 NCAA Starts (1–0 … 4.91 … 11.0–6R–2BB–HB–6K)
… no-decision vs. Oral Roberts (5.0–3R–8H–BB–5K)
… win vs. Missouri State (6.0–3R–8H–BB–K), 18–4 game one
• VIRGINIA Probable Starting Lineup:
[Bats] … Pos. – class # Name (Hometown … Stats & Notes)
[L] CF – fr. #7 Adam HASELEY (Windemere, FL … .252–1 HR–19 RBI–53 R–3 3B–10 2B–61 GS)
… 2015 Freshman All-American … also pitches (2.66 in 23.2 IP, 16K–8BB–24H)
… 2015 NCAAs: .190 (4–21)–RBI–5 R–3B–2B–3 BB–HBP–2 K–E
… plate-discipline ratio: -3 w/ 35 BB + 7 HBP – 45 Ks
––––
[R] SS – so. #22 Daniel PINERO (Toronto, ONT … .300–6 HR–28 RBI–56 R–3B–7 2B–19 E–60 GS)
… 2015 MLB Draft: selected 36th rd (Detroit Tigers) | 2015 second team all–ACC (3rd tm ’14)
… 2015 NCAAs: .190 (4–21)–5 R–2 BB–HBP–2 K–SAC–E (career NCAAs: .233–5 RBI)
… plate-discipline ratio: +6, w/ 36 BB + 5 HBP – 35 Ks
––––
[L] C – so. #21 Matt THAISS (Jackson, NJ … .332–9 HR–60 RBI–18 2B–60 GS)
… 2015 Third Team All-American | on-base 6 times in NCAA Reg. final vs USC (2 H, 4 BB)
… 2015 NCAAs: .421 (8–19)–5 RBI–6 R–2 2B–5 BB–K–2 E–PB
… plate-discipline ratio: +18, w/ 32 BB + 7 HBP – 21 K
––––
[R] 3B – sr. #9 Kenny TOWNS (Burke, VA … .298–5 HR–60 RBI–2 3B–18 2B–16 E–61 GS)
… 2015 MLB Draft: selected 20th round (Angels)
… 2015 NCAAs: .190 (4–21)–5 RBI–4 R–BB–HBP–K–2 E (career NCAAs: .306–21 RBI)
… plate-discipline ratio: even, w/ 25 BB + 5 HBP – 30 K
––––
[L] LF – fr. #10 Pavin SMITH (Jupiter, FL … .313–6 HR–41 RBI–14 2B–61 GS)
… ACC All-Freshman Team | All-NCAA Lake Elsinore Regional Team (3–9; 3 BB)
… 2015 NCAAs: .375 (6–16)–4 RBI–2 R–4 BB–K–SAC–SF–0-1 SB
… plate-discipline: -3, w/ 25BB+5HBP-33K
––––
[R] 1B – jr. #8 Robbie COMAN (Lake Worth, FL … .301–1 HR–21 RBI–6 2B–60 GS)
… 9th in ACC w/ .347 conf. batting avg. during 2015 (13 RBI–HR–5 2B–9 BB–4 SAC)
… 2015 NCAAs: .222 (4–18)–RBI–4 BB–K (career NCAAs: .257–3 RBI)
… plate-discipline ratio: +4, w/ 17 BB + 3 HBP – 16 K
––––
[L] RF – jr. #31 Joe McCARTHY (Scranton, PA … .225–1 HR–9 RBI–26 GS/inj.)
… 2015 MLB Draft: selected 5th round (Tampa Bay Rays) … Jan. back surgery/missed 35 gms
… 2015 NCAAs: .294 (5–17)–HR–2 RBI–6 R–2B–4 BB–K–SF–SB (career NCAAs: .316–9 RBI)
… plate-discipline ratio: +7, w/ 20 BB + 2 HBP – 15 K
––––
[R] DH – jr. #28 Kevin DOHERTY (Laytonsville, MD … .231–1 HR–22 RBI–32 GS)
… 2-way talent w/ a 3.25 ERA in 2015, spanning 44.1 innings (37K–9BB–27H)
… 2015 NCAAs: .250 (3–12)–5 RBI–2 R–2 2B–3 BB–5 K–E
… plate-discipline ratio: -5, w/ 25 BB – 30 K
––––
[R] 2B – fr. #4 Ernie CLEMENT (Rochester, NY … .239–1 HR–20 RBI–3 3B–6 2B–4 E–54 GS)
… 2015 NCAAs: .222 (4–18)–5 RBI–4 R–2B–2 BB–2 K–SAC–0-1 SB
… plate-discipline ratio: +8, w/ 9 BB + 9 HBP – 10 K
… his 2-run single beat Maryland in b-9th to win Super Regional
––––
RH Closer – jr. #27 Josh SBORZ (McLean, VA)
… 2015 MLB Draft: selected 74th overall, as compensation pick (L.A. Dodgers)
… 1.95, 14 saves, 4–2 in 29 appearances (3 starts)
2.5 K-to-walk ratio (52/21) … 8.3 WHIP (walks+hits per 9 IP)
34 hits allowed in 60.0 innings (.164 opp. batting avg. w/ 7 HR)
9–inn. averages: 5.1 hits, 3.2 BB, 7.8 Ks
3 wild pitches … no hit batters
> Cavs in the 2015 MLB Draft: In addition to the four players noted above (Towns, Pioneer, Sborz and McCarthy), three other UVa players were selected in the 2015 MLB Draft: LHP Nathan Kirby (#40 overall/comensation puck; Milwaukee Brewers) … LHP Brandon Waddell (5th round; Pittsburgh Pirates) and infielder John La Prise (19th round; Toronto Blue Jays). La Prise played a lead role in UVa’s 2014 NCAA runner-up season but has missed most of 2015 due to a hip injury.
__________________________
• ARKANSAS Probable Starting Lineup:
[Bats] … Pos. – class # Name (Hometown … Stats & Notes)
[R] LF – sr. #10 Joe SERRANO (Tucson, AZ … .285–4 HR–19 RBI–45 R–3B–13 2B–55 GS)
… MVP of 2015 NCAA Stillwater Regional (hit 6-for-12)
… 2015 NCAAs: .391 (9–23)–6 RBI–5 R–HR–2B–5 BB–4 K (career NCAAs: .352–HR–9 RBI–26 GP)
… plate-discipline ratio: -8 w/ 32 BB + 2 HBP – 42 Ks
––––
[R] 3B – jr. #7 Bobby WERNES (Overland Park, KS … .280–5 HR–26 RBI–49 R–6 3B–7 2B–8 E–62 GS)
… 2015 MLB Draft: selected 30th round (Houston Astros) | 2015 SEC All-Defensive Team
… 2015 NCAAs: .192 (5–26)–6 R–HBP–3 K–SAC–2 E
… plate-discipline ratio: +1, w/ 27 BB + 8 HBP – 34 Ks
––––
[L] CF – so. #16 Andrew BENINTENDI (Cincinnati, OH … .380–19 HR–55 RBI–23-27 SB–2 3B–13 2B–62 GS)
* National Player of the Year Finalist | 2015 SEC Player of the Year *
… 2015 MLB Draft: selected 7th overall (Boston Red Sox)
… 2015 NCAAs: .263 (5–19)–HR–3 RBI–7 R–2B–7 BB–2 K–SB
… plate-discipline ratio: +21, w/ 47 BB + 5 HBP – 31 K
––––
[R] RF – sr./jr. #8 Tyler SPOON (Van Buren, AR … .331–6 HR–54 RBI–3B–20 2B–61 GS)
… 2015 MLB Draft: selected 35th round (Boston Red Sox)
… 2015 NCAAs: .375 (9–24)–HR–8 RBI–6 R–2 2B–BB–4 K (career NCAAs: .306–21 RBI)
… plate-discipline ratio: even, w/ 25BB+5HBP-30K
––––
[L] 1B – so. #9 Clark EAGAN (Appleton, WI … .284–2 HR–30 RBI–4 3B–12 2B–54 GS)
… 2015 NCAAs: .211 (4–19)–6 RBI–R–3B–2B–4 K–SAC–SF
… plate-discipline ratio: -9, w/ 21 BB + 7 HBP – 37 K
––––
[Sw] 2B – jr. #1 Rick NOMURA (Waipahu, HI … .294–4 HR–19 RBI–3B–10 2B–48 GS)
… 2015 NCAAs: .174 (4–23)–4 RBI–2 R–2B–HBP–K–SF (career NCAAs: .257–3 RBI)
… plate-discipline ratio: even, w/ 19 BB + 4 HBP – 23 K
––––
[R] DH – sr./jr. #5 Brett McAFEE (Longview, TX … .280–2 HR–22 RBI–6 2B–39 GS)
… 2015 NCAAs: .318 (7–22)–3 RBI–7 R–BB–7 K–SF (career NCAAs: .316–9 RBI)
… plate-discipline ratio:-23, w/ 11 BB + 2 HBP – 36 K
––––
[R] SS – sr./jr. #3 Michael BERNAL (El Paso, TX … .280–4 HR–30 RBI–5 2B–53 GS)
… 2015 Stillwater Regional All-Tournament Team (hit 4-for-10, 2 RBI, 2 R)
… 2015 NCAAs: .263 (5–19)–3 RBI–3 R–3 BB–5 K–SF–SB
… plate-discipline ratio: -1, w/ 28 BB + 10 HBP – 39 K
––––
[R] C – jr. #27 Tucker PENNELL (Georgetown, TX … .200–7 RBI–36 GS)
… 2015 NCAAs: .333 (6–18)–3 RBI–3 R–BB–2 K–SF
… plate-discipline ratio: -10, w/ 7 BB + 3 HBP – 20 K
––––
RH Closer – so. #32 Zach JACKSON (Berryhill, OK)
* Invited to play with U.S. Collegiate National Team (summer ’15) *
… 1.91, 9 saves, 5–0 in 25 appearances (3 starts)
2.4 K-to-walk ratio (87/37) … 11.9 WHIP (walks+hits per 9 IP)
38 hits allowed in 56.2 innings (.164 opp. batting avg. w/ 7 HR)
9–inn. averages: 6.0 hits, 5.9 BB, 13.8 Ks
9 wild pitches … 2 hit batters … 1 balk