CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Jordan Leyland’s two-run double to center with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning gave UC Irvine the lead, and the Anteaters beat top-seeded Virginia 6-4 on Sunday to force a third game in the Charlottesville Super Regional.
The winner Monday will advance to the College World Series.
In a game delayed at its midpoint for 4 hours, 18 minutes by a monsoon-like storm, UC Irvine (43-17) overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-3, the latter with a three-run rally in the eighth.
Freshman Andrew Thurman (4-3) blanked Virginia on three hits over the final four innings.
The Cavaliers (53-10) took a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth before the Anteaters rallied against Justin Thompson and closer Branden Kline (3-1), who allowed the big hit.
Virginia’s winning streak was snapped at eight games.
The Anteaters’ rally started with one out when Drew Hillman doubled. Virginia coach Brian O’Connor summoned Kline from the bullpen, and he hit Jordan Fox with his first pitch.
A fly ball to right allowed Hillman to tag and take third, and Fox stole second without a throw, setting the stage for Leyland’s double into a huge gap in left-center field. Tommy Reyes followed with a single to right, scoring Leyland, and was thrown out trying for second.
Two harmless fly balls and a strikeout in the ninth forced Game 3.
The Cavaliers seemed to have regained control after blowing a 3-0 lead.
Kenny Swab, whose mistake in center field allowed the Anteaters to score twice in the seventh to get even, atoned in the eighth. With Jared King running from first, Swab hit a slicing line drive to right. Sean Madigan ran over to field the ball and slipped as he bent over on the soaked field, allowing King to come all the way around as Swab continued on to second.
That made it 4-3, and it was up to the Cavaliers’ bullpen.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.