Games at the College World Series have been low scoring for entire 2014 College World Series. The Vanderbilt Commodores had scored the most runs during the previous 13 games played until tonight, getting 6 runs on Monday June 23rd when they played against the UC Irvine Anteaters. The Virginia Cavaliers scored their highest total of 4 runs on June 21st against the Ole Miss Rebels, in the game that clinched their spot in the finals.
Virginia was not going to start slowly though, they got on the board in the top of the first inning, It all started when second baseman Branden Cogswell singled to center field, and then after two outs were recorded, right fielder Joe McCarthy doubled down the left field line to put both runners in scoring position. Left fielder Derek Fisher didn't disappoint either, getting a single to right to bring both runners home. Now that all three fields had been used in the inning, Fisher was forced out at second on a fielder's choice. In the second inning designated hitter John La Prise started off with a leadoff double, but Commodore pitcher Walker Buehler finished off the next three batters to end the scoring opportunity at that time.
Virginia Cavaliers started great on the mound as well, Nathan Kirby struck out 3 batters in the first two innings, and didn't even allow any runners on base. But all of that would change after his fourth strikeout to start the top of the third inning. It would wind up being a tragic inning for Kirby. He would give up a total of 5 walks, a single, a double, and an error, and would exit with the bases loaded. Whit Mayberry came in his place and immediately got an out, but gave up a run, on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Chris Harvey, who was the first batter of the inning, who originally was struck out by Kirby. He hit catcher Jason Delay with a pitch, and then gave up a 3 RBI double by third baseman Tyler Campbell, and that was his second double of the inning. When all was said and done, the Commodores recorded 9 runs in the inning, with 3 hits and 1 error.
The Cavaliers attempted to start a rally in the bottom of the third inning as well. With 2 outs, they were able to collect 4 hits and get 3 runs back, to put the score to 9-5. Third baseman Kenny Towns and center fielder Brandon Downes were the RBI collectors, with Towns getting 1 and Downes getting 2 with the bases loaded.
Then the Cavaliers had chased Buehler from the game after that inning and Jared Miller came in to relieve him. The Cavaliers came after him in the bottom of the fifth inning. Again with 2 outs, Downes went out and got a triple to get a runner in scoring position, and catcher Nate Irving brought him home with a RBI double. Shortstop Daniel Pinero hit a single to bring Irving home to reduce the deficit back down to 2, with the scoring getting all the way to 9-7. That would be the end of the game for Miller, although he would get credit for the win.
John Kilichowski was the new reliever for the Commodores, and he would help keep the Cavaliers off the board. He struck out Fisher in the sixth inning, and Irving in the seventh inning, and didn't even allow a runner to get on base in his first two innings. But in the bottom of the eighth inning, he gave up back to back singles to Cogswell and Pinero. Then the Cavaliers laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third. McCarthy got a RBI on a groundout while the Cavaliers had the tying run at third base, but Fisher grounded out to third base to end the inning. That's when the Commodores pulled Kilichowski for Adam Ravenelle, who pitched the ninth inning without letting any runners get on base for the save.
Considering the facts of the game, it looks like the Commodores are completely lucky to have a win at the end of the day. The Cavaliers had more hits (15-6), yet were outscored (8-9). Usually one error doesn't do that much damage, but the Cavaliers scored 4 unearned runs in the top of the third inning that the Cavaliers would love to have back. Even though both teams pulled their starters early, the Commodores only used four pitchers, compared to the Cavaliers using three. In game two, it will be crucial for each team's starter to go deep into the game so that they can save their bullpen, especially for the Cavaliers who are trying to win on Tuesday and force a game three. The Commodores certainly have the advantage, and is looking to become the most recent SEC champion of the College World Series, since South Carolina won it all back in 2011.