Bates Hits 2 Homers in Texas’ 8-4 Win Over Miami in the College World Series

OMAHA, Neb. — Billy Bates, All-American second baseman, hit two home runs and had five RBIs to lead Texas to an 8-4 victory over Miami in a winners’ bracket semifinal of the NCAA College World Series Wednesday night.

Bates, a 5-7, 155-pound junior, hit his seventh homer of the season from the right side of the plate in the third inning. He then tied a College World Series single-game record with his second homer of the game, a three-run inside-the-park blast to center field from the left side of the plate in the fourth.

The win moves Texas (62-12) into Friday’s winners’ bracket final against Mississippi State (50-13). Miami (60-16) drops into the losers’ bracket and will meet Oklahoma State (58-15) today. That game follows another elimination game matching Stanford (47-14) and Arkansas (50-14).