OMAHA, Neb. - Sophomore Ryne Stanek threw six innings and Barrett Astin closed it out to lead the University of Arkansas baseball team to a 2-1 victory over South Carolina in the winner's bracket of the College World Series on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. The Razorback victory keeps Arkansas in the winner's bracket of the series where they will play the winner of the Kent State-South Carolina elimination game which is scheduled for Wednesday.
Stanek and Astin combined to throw nine innings of four hit baseball while stranding six Gamecocks on base during the game. Astin was especially good over the final three innings as he allowed just a single batter to reach on a single over three innings to pick up the save. The win improves the Razorbacks to 46-20 on the year while South Carolina falls to 46-18. With the win, Arkansas ended South Carolina's 22-game NCAA post-season win streak.
The Razorbacks struck first, scoring once in the top of the first. Tim Carver led off the game with a single to right-center field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jacob Mahan. A ground out to second by Matt Reynolds moved Carver to third. Dominic Ficociello then laced a 3-0 pitch into the left-center field gap for a double to score Carver with the game's first run.
South Carolina had a chance to even the game in the bottom of the first, but came up empty. With one out, Evan Marzilli singled up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch. A walk to Christian Walker put runners on first and second. LB Dantzler then grounded out to first to move both runners into scoring position with two outs. Stanek got out of the jam as Adam Matthews grounded out to the mound to end the inning.
Arkansas added its second run of the game in the top of the fourth. Brian Anderson led off the inning with a walk. After the next two batters were retired, Anderson moved into scoring position with a two-out stolen base. Matt Vinson then pulled a single into left to score Anderson from second.
The Gamecocks broke through with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Chase Vergason drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dante Rosenberg. After a ground out to third by Joey Pankake, Marzilli tripled to the wall in left-center field, scoring Vergason.
Arkansas had an opportunity to regain a 2-run edge in the top of the sixth, but were unable to score. With two out, Bo Bigham singled to left-center. Bigham then stole second and a throwing error on Rosenberg allowed him to reach third. However, Joe Serrano grounded out to third to end the inning and keep the score at 2-1.
Arkansas' two wins at the College World Series match its total from the 2009 season, but for the first time since 1979, the Razorbacks have won their first two games at the event.
For more information regarding Razorback baseball or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.