Georgia gains spot in CWS title series

Jun 22, 2008 - 5:01 AM OMAHA, Nebraska (Ticker) -- After four days off, the Georgia baseball team was getting restless. There was more restlessness in the ninth inning of Saturday's contest against Stanford at the College World Series.

The second-seeded Bulldogs clinched a spot in the best-of-three championship series with a 10-8 victory over the Cardinal, but not before Joshua Fields - the top closer in the country - gave up four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Trailing by six runs entering the ninth, Stanford (41-24) closed within 10-8 on Ben Clowe's three-run home run. Fields finally closed it by getting Cord Phelps to fly out.

Georgia (44-23), which completed bracket play 3-0, will face either Fresno State or North Carolina in the championship series that begins on Monday at Rosenblatt Stadium. The Bulldogs captured their only baseball national title in 1990.

"We're starting to feel like people in 'The Shining', we're stuck in the hotel," Georgia third baseman Ryan Peisel said of the gap between games.

Georgia and Stanford were scheduled to play on Friday, but the game was pushed back after Thursday's contest between North Carolina and Louisiana State was postponed following a three-hour rain delay.

"Today was about getting our offense going and getting those clutch hits early," Georgia coach Dave Perno said. "We have come through a really tough bracket with some of the top teams."

Desperate for game action, the Bulldogs got off to a quick start Saturday, taking a 9-3 lead on Peisel's three-run home run in the fifth inning. Rich Poythress collected four hits and drove in four runs for Georgia, which pounded Stanford starter Jeremy Bleich (3-3) for six runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings.

"We were ready to," Georgia shortstop Gordon Beckham said. "Now, we're in the national championship and we want to be playing on the last day."

Dean Weaver (6-1) earned the win, allowing three run and six hits over 3 1/3 innings in relief of starter Nathan Moreau, who was pulled in the third inning with Georgia holding a 4-1 lead.

"They did a great job pitching inside and out and mixing off-speed pitches effectively," Stanford catcher Jason Castro said. "They came up in big spots and made some plays."

But Georgia's opponent will have to wait another day.

Chad Flack blasted a majestic two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning as second-seeded North Carolina stayed alive with a 4-3 victory over Fresno State on Saturday night.

Alex White posted his College World Series record-tying third win for the Tar Heels, who will play the Bulldogs again on Sunday under the double-elimination format. Fresno State held on for a 5-3 triumph on Tuesday.

After Kyle Seager led off the eighth inning with a double into right-center field, Flack drilled a 3-2 pitch deep into the left-field bleachers to give North Carolina its first lead of the game. It was a remarkable turn of events for Flack, who appeared to be bunting earlier in the at-bat.

It was enough support for White, who retired all eight men he faced with five strikeouts after entering the game in the seventh.