Monday at the College World Series is all about the walk-off wins. It started with Vanderbilt rallying to beat Cal State Fullerton in a rain-delayed game to start the day.
It continued with the elimination game between Miami and Arkansas.
The Hurricanes were blown out by Florida on Saturday, leaving some to wonder if their confidence would be shot.
But it wasn’t in the slightest.
The two teams entered the ninth tied at three. Arkansas was able to load the bases with two down thanks to a single, intentional walk, and error. Bryan Garcia, who had come on to pitch with one out and a runner on second, faced second baseman Rick Nomura. After fouling three pitches off, Nomura grounded out to second to end the threat.
That would bring up the bottom of the Miami order against Arkansas stud reliever Zach Jackson. Willie Abreu started the inning off with a double, which brought up nine-hole hitter Jacob Heyward.
Heyward, the younger brother of Major Leaguer Jason Heyward, was already 2-for-2 with a two-run homer and two runs scored on the day. And then he made it 3-for-3 with three RBI.
BACK-TO-BACK WALK OFFS!!!!
Jacob Heyward is the HERO for the Canes! #CWS http://t.co/LwmNXP4eIi
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 16, 2015
“Keep playing hard, ya know,” Heyward told ESPN after the game. “Can’t lose confidence after the game we had against Florida. We’re still one of the best teams here, and we think we can get it done.”
Miami will have the chance to prove they can still get it done when they take the field again on Wednesday. The Canes will face the loser of the Virginia/Florida game. Maybe they’ll get a chance to get some revenge on the Gators after Saturday’s 15-3 beating.
But Monday is certainly proving to be one of the most exciting days in CWS history.
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