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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, June 21, 2008

North Carolina slams LSU to stay alive, 7-3

Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — Tim Federowicz's grand slam in the top of the ninth inning last night sent North Carolina to a 7-3 victory over LSU in a College World Series elimination game disrupted twice by rain in two days.

Louis Coleman had intentionally walked Tim Fedroff to load the bases with two outs before Federowicz turned on a 1-1 pitch and drove it into the middle of the stands in left field.

"I struck out the at-bat before, and I knew he would bring the slider," Federowicz said. "My adrenaline was pumping."

North Carolina (53-13) moved to the Bracket 1 final against Fresno State today. The Tar Heels must beat the Bulldogs twice to return to the best-of-three championship series for the third straight year.

Alex White (12-3) got his second win of the CWS.

Coleman (8-1) was impressive for LSU (49-19-1) in the seventh and eighth innings. But Ryan Graepel doubled with one out, and things began to unravel for him.

Coleman intentionally walked Dustin Ackley, who had reached four times, and then struck out pinch-hitter Mark Fleury after his wild pitch put runners on second and third.

LSU coach Paul Mainieri chose to have Coleman, who had allowed one home run in 55 innings, intentionally walk Fedroff, who came into the game batting .401, and take his chances with Federowicz with the bases loaded.

"I already have asked myself several times if I did the right thing," Mainieri said. "If I had to do it over 1,000 times, I'd do the same thing. It just didn't work out for us."

Hawai'i times

At Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha, Neb.

Double Elimination

Yesterday

North Carolina 7, LSU 3, comp. of susp. game, LSU eliminated.

Today

Game 11 — Georgia (43-23-1) vs. Stanford (41-23-2), 8 a.m.

Game 12 — Fresno State (44-29) vs. North Carolina (53-13), 1 p.m.

Tomorrow

Game 13 — if necessary, 8 a.m.

Game 14 — if necessary, 1 p.m.

Note: If there is only one game, it will be played at 1 p.m.

Championship Series

(Best-of-3)

Monday, June 23: Bracket One winner vs. Bracket Two winner, 1 p.m.

Tuesday, June 24: Bracket One winner vs. Bracket Two winner, 1 p.m.

Wednesday, June 25: Bracket One winner vs. Bracket Two winner, if necessary, 1 p.m.