The College World Series 2010 bracket still has four teams left. Yet the College World Series 2010 bracket could have had the College World Series final set last night. If UCLA had defeated TCU again, and if Clemson had defeated South Carolina, the best-of-three finals would have been all set. But if either the Horned Frogs or Gamecocks won, there would have been one game today. However, since they both won, the College World Series 2010 bracket will be stretched into a Game 13 and 14 today.
The tournament is a double elimination format until the finals, which gave UCLA and Clemson the inside track. They could afford to lose one game, although they would have preferred not to. Both TCU and South Carolina had to win twice to get this far, after opening round losses. However, both of them stretched their winning streak to three yesterday.
UCLA was the new favorite in the College World Series 2010 bracket, as they were the only ranked team left. The Bruins had already beaten TCU once, yet the Horned Frogs were not ready to end their first trip to Omaha yet. With 15-0 hurler Matt Purke on the mound, TCU used his arm and three home runs to get a 6-2 victory.
This meant that Clemson could have advanced to the finals, and gotten extra rest while UCLA and TCU battled again. However, the Tigers also lost for the first time in the College World Series 2010 bracket, to arch-rival South Carolina. The Gamecocks used reliever Michael Roth as a starter, which paid off with a three-hit complete game.
For the second time in eight years, South Carolina can knock Clemson out in the semifinals with two straight wins. With their win, the College World Series 2010 bracket will have one last doubleheader, containing two elimination games.
The Bruins and Horned Frogs will go first, at 2:05 pm est. It is their third matchup in Omaha, with their rubber match set to make history. TCU has never been here, and can reach the final series on their first time out. This is UCLA’s third appearance in Omaha, but they have never reach the championship round either.
The nightcap will be another South Carolina-Clemson showdown at 7:05 pm est. The Tigers haven’t made the finals in 12 chances, while the Gamecocks have gotten there three times without a win. No matter what, the College World Series 2010 bracket will have a new national champion in a few days.
After the final pairing is settled, both winners will have a day to rest. On Monday, the College World Series 2010 bracket will reach the best-of-three finals, between two teams already pushed to the limit.
Sources
ESPN- “Indomitable Purke powers Horned Frogs”
NCAA.com- “2010 NCAA DI Baseball Championship Bracket”
MLB.com- “Pair of hurlers play hero in elimination games”
