Cornhuskers Keep It at Home

Jeff Leise’s single in the 10th inning drove in the go-ahead run as Nebraska defeated Rice, 9-6, Saturday at Lincoln, Neb., earning the Cornhuskers their first trip to the College World Series.

The College World Series has been played in Omaha since 1950, but the Cornhuskers (50-14) will be making the 50-mile trip for the first time.

Nebraska, which rallied in its last at-bat to beat Rutgers in last week’s regionals, improved to 5-0 in the tournament.

“It’s just amazing. It’s been that way all year. No one gives up and everybody is so competitive,” Leise said. “If someone gets a hit in the ninth, everybody just follows. It’s contagious.”

Rice (47-20) was aiming for its third College World Series appearance.

South Carolina 4, Stanford 3--Tripp Kelly hit a two-run double in the fifth inning as the Gamecocks (49-19) tied the super regional at a game apiece at Palo Alto.

Lee Gronkiewicz went the final 2 2/3 innings to earn his NCAA-leading 19th save. Mike Gosling of Stanford (47-16) lost his second consecutive decision after a seven-game winning streak.

Miami 14, Clemson 6--Charlton Jimerson hit a three-run homer and P.J. Prunty earned the decision at Coral Gables, Fla., as the Hurricanes (49-12) won their 13th consecutive game and earned a berth to the College World Series.

The Hurricanes were successful on 10 steal attempts, matching an NCAA postseason record. Miami leads the nation with 215 steals, 65 more than the nearest competitor.

Clemson finished 21-22.

Tulane 9, Louisiana State 4--Jon Kaplan and Andy Cannizaro homered at Metairie, La., as the Green Wave (54-11) tied the best-of-three super regional against the Tigers (44-21-1) at a game apiece.

The winner of today’s scheduled game will advance to the College World Series. LSU, which has won five national titles under retiring Coach Skip Bertman, is looking for its 12th trip to the series. Tulane has never made it to the College World Series.

Georgia 8, Florida State 7, (10)--Seminole third baseman Scott Toole misplayed a grounder at Athens, Ga., allowing Andy Neufeld to score the winning run for the Bulldogs (46-19).

Georgia, which won for the 16th time in its final plate appearance, including three of its last four games in the NCAA tournament, can advance to Omaha for the first time since 1990 by winning today. The best-of-three series began a day late because of stormy weather Friday.

Florida State dropped to 46-18.

Tennessee 13, East Carolina 10--Brandon Hopkins hit a two-run single in the eighth inning to lead the Volunteers (45-18) to a victory over the Pirates (47-12) in a slugfest at Kinston, N.C.

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is scheduled for today. A third game, if necessary, will be Monday.