New Role Is Old Hat for This Closer

Jeff Bruksch was Stanford’s No. 2 starting pitcher before the World Series, but he has reverted to his role as the Cardinal’s closer in the College World Series and has been outstanding.

Bruksch, who had 13 saves last season, pitched two scoreless innings Wednesday night in the Cardinal’s 4-1 victory over Cal State Fullerton for his third save of the series.

Bruksch tied the single-series record shared by three players, most recently Michael Neu of Miami in 1999.

Bruksch, who graduated from Beverly Hills High and transferred to Stanford from USC, has four World Series saves in his career, tying a record shared by Jim Newlin of Wichita State (1988-89) and Jack Krawczyk of USC (1995-98).

In three previous championship games, Stanford won titles in 1987 and ’88 and lost to Louisiana State last year.

This will be the fourth time in seven years that a Pacific 10 Conference team in is the final.

Fullerton defeated USC in 1995, and USC beat Arizona State in 1998.

Fullerton, the only World Series participant that had played four games as of Wednesday, left Omaha with the best earned-run average and the worst batting average among the eight participants.

Fullerton pitchers had a 3.25 ERA in 36 innings. Stanford ranks second with a 4.50 ERA in 28 innings.

The Titans batted .221 (29 for 131).

David Bacani was six for 15 (.400) with three home runs, a double and seven runs batted in.

USC, eliminated by Tennessee on Tuesday, finished the World Series with a .302 batting average (32 for 106) and a 6.12 ERA in 25 innings.

Alberto Concepcion was four for 12 (.333) with three home runs and six RBIS.

Under the current College World Series format, adopted in 1988, only one team, USC in 1998, lost its first game en route to the national championship.

Tennessee is trying to become the second.

The Volunteers lost their opener to Miami, then defeated Georgia and USC to earn today’s rematch against Miami.

Tennessee must beat the Hurricanes today and Friday to advance to the final for the first time in three World Series appearances.