OMAHA, Neb. — Mike Papi delivered a walk-off, two-out double to right-centerfield to score pinch runner Thomas Woodruff and push Virginia to a 2-1 victory over Ole Miss in both teams 2014 College World Series opener at TD Ameritrade Park.
Virginia (50-14) took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning when Joe McCarthy knocked a two-out single to centerfield to score catcher John Irving from second base.
But Ole Miss (46-20) was able to manufacture a run without a hit to tie the game in the eighth inning. After Virginia starter Nathan Kirby exited after issuing back-to-back walks to start the frame, Ole Miss executed a sacrifice bunt and then pinch hitter Holt Perdzock hit an RBI groundout to even the score, setting up the ninth inning dramatics.
Artie Lewicki (7-1) pitched two scoreless innings to get the win in relief for Virginia. Both starting pitchers allowed one earned run, though, in very different fashion.
Nathan Kirby was nearly unhittable, allowing one single and one walk before the eighth inning while Ole Miss righty Chris Ellis allowed six hits, four walks and a hit by pitch, but kept making big pitches when it mattered most to keep Virginia from putting up any crooked numbers.
Mike Papi and Kenny Towns each were 2-for-4 with a double. Errol Robinson had the Rebels only hit.
Virginia advances to winner’s bracket where it will face TCU on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CST. Ole Miss now faces an elimination game against Texas Tech at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Here’s CBD photographer Shotgun Spratling‘s top shots from the nightcap of Sunday’s 2014 College World Series action at TD Ameritrade Park:
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Be sure to check out our other coverage from Virginia’s walk-off victory:
