A CWS That Lacked Flare Finally Has Its Moment …
After nearly a week’s worth of games that lacked for much drama, the College World Series finally had its “moment” Wednesday night in Omaha. TCU trailed Florida State 7-2 going into the top of the 8th inning, but the Horned Frogs scored eight runs in the frame to pull off an improbable 11-7 elimination-game win.
TCU's Matt Curry had an early celebration, after driving a ball to center field that resulted in a game-changing grand slam vs. Florida State (photo courtesy of TCU)
The miraculous inning was highlighted by Matt Curry’s two-out grand slam to center field.
“Definitely the biggest home run of my career,” Curry told the media afterward. “When I hit it, I knew it was gone, because I’ve hit home runs and I usually know when I get them. I look and I’m all fired up,” he added.
Curry was fooled for a moment by the acting job of Seminole centerfielder Tyler Holt. “I looked back out there and he’s camped underneath it,” said Curry. “My heart sank in my stomach … there’s no way this ball’s not leaving,” Curry said. His emotions quickly turned again as he rounded first base: “I just happened to look up, and that’s when I got fired up again. But it was awesome. It was the biggest hit of my career.”
The win sends TCU to to a Friday rematch with UCLA. The Bruins handed the Horned Frogs their only loss at the CWS earlier this week.
Nine games now have been played at the 61st College World Series. Here’s a look at more highs and lows:
Biggest Surprise: Clemson … The Tigers came into the series with a 43-18 record, which represented the fewest wins and most losses of any team in the CWS field, but Jack Leggett’s Tigers are 2-0 and need one more win to advance to the best-of-three CWS Championship Series next week.
Biggest Disappointment: Arizona State … The Sun Devils were the #1 overall seed entering the CWS and, with a record of 52-8, they had the most wins and fewest loss in the field. But the Sun Devils went 0-2 in Omaha, after being outscored 17-7 in losses to Clemson and South Carolina – and became the first #1 seed ever to go 0-2 at the CWS during the current 64-team NCAA Tournament format (since 1999).
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