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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Virginia eliminates Fullerton, 7-5


Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — Virginia trumped another ace.

The Cavaliers beat All-American Daniel Renken and second-seeded Cal State Fullerton, 7-5, yesterday, extending their first appearance in the College World Series and eliminating the Titans.

Just two weeks ago, Virginia defeated San Diego State star and No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg in the regionals.

Virginia scored four times against Renken in the second inning, and he was finished in the sixth after allowing a season-high six runs.

"To put up four runs on an All-America pitcher like Renken is a great inning for us and, believe me, I wanted more," Cavaliers coach Brian O'Connor said.

The Cavs did get more, which was a good thing for them because Fullerton had the winning run at the plate in the ninth inning before Virginia secured its first win in Omaha.

Virginia (49-14-1) next plays Arkansas (40-23) in a Bracket 1 elimination game tomorrow. Fullerton (47-16) has lost five straight in the CWS.

Renken (11-3), who had gone at least eight innings in 10 of his previous 11 starts, was taken out after Franco Valdes' two-out double in the sixth. Nick Ramirez came on and gave up a pair of RBI singles that made it a four-run game.

"I'm pretty upset with myself today for falling behind on counts and not sticking to my game plan," Renken said. "It was inexcusable for me. Virginia is a good team, but I made them look a lot better."

LSU 9, ARKANSAS 1

Mikie Mahtook, Austin Nola and Blake Dean homered as LSU won its 12th straight game.

LSU's Louis Coleman (14-2) gave up six hits over his six innings, allowing the Hogs' only run in the first. He struck out seven. Daniel Bradshaw and Nolan Cain finished LSU's third win in four meetings against its Southeastern Conference rival.

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