COLLEGE WORLD SERIES : Dodger Choice Dreifort Fuels Wichita State, 4-3

Darren Dreifort of Wichita State knew his performance Saturday against Arizona State was televised for a national audience that no doubt included several observers from the Dodger organization.

Dreifort, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior relief pitcher/designated hitter, was selected by the Dodgers as the second overall pick of last week’s amateur draft.

Dreifort gave up a two-run home run during the ninth inning that sent the game into extra innings, then won the game with a solo homer during the 11th as Wichita State beat the Sun Devils, 4-3, before 15,396 at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Seventh-seeded Wichita State will play third-seeded Texas, a 6-5 winner Saturday night over sixth-seeded Oklahoma State, in a winners’ bracket game Monday.

“I hope they (the Dodgers) didn’t mind the home run I gave up,” Dreifort said. “I don’t know what kind of impression I gave them, but hopefully it was good. I guess we’ll find out in a week or so.”

That’s when the Dodgers are expected to open negotiations with Dreifort, who is rumored to want more than the record $1.55 million that pitcher Brien Taylor got from the New York Yankees last season as the No. 1 pick.

Arizona State Coach Jim Brock said Dreifort’s performance spoke for itself.

“There’s no doubt,” Brock said. “When you’re facing the No. 2 pick in the country, you’re looking at someone who has a lot to work with.”

Dreifort (11-1), who had a double during the sixth inning, relieved Mike Brandley with one out in the bottom of the seventh and Wichita State leading, 3-1.

With two out in the ninth, Dreifort walked Cody McKay, the only walk issued by either team. Sean Tyler then homered over the right-field wall.

Dreifort, who had five strikeouts, retired the side in order during the 10th, then led off the 11th with a homer against starter Marc Barcelo (12-4). It was Dreifort’s 21st homer.

Dreifort gave up one-out singles to Todd Cady and Brian Lootens during the bottom of the inning, but struck out McKay and Tyler grounded out to end the game.

Texas right-hander Brooks Kieschnick (16-3), chosen by the Chicago Cubs as the 10th player selected in the draft, gave up 12 hits and struck out 11. The Longhorns broke a 5-5 tie during the seventh when Steve Heinrich scored on a throwing error by catcher Joe Wallace.

College World Series Notes

Cal State Long Beach, which lost its opener Friday against Louisiana State, will play an elimination game today against Kansas. Mike Fontana (8-3) will start for Long Beach against the Jayhawks’ Jamie Splittorff (7-1), the son of former Kansas City Royal pitcher Paul Splittorff. . . . Long Beach has two players who transferred from schools participating in the World Series. First baseman John Swanson played at Oklahoma State in 1991 and designated hitter Brian Smith played at Arizona State in 1991.