Congrats to Lucas Glover

Lucas Glover won the US Open at soggy Bethpage on Monday by two shots over a group of golfers that included Phil Mickelson, David Duval, and 3rd round leader Ricky Barnes (who blew up with a 76 on Monday).

Lucas is a product of Clemson University and currently ranked the number 71 golfer in the world. This is his second tour title and first major championship. Even though he shot a +3 73 in the final round, no one was able to make a sustained charge. Mickelson and Duval got close but would give strokes away down the stretch with bogeys.

UNC and UVA ousted - the streak continues

Both North Carolina and Virginia were knocked out of the NCAA college world series on consecutive nights. Virginia fell to Arkansas in extra innings, but this season must be looked at as a success for the Cavaliers. They won the ACC tournament, made the college world series when not that much was expected, and had a nice run in Omaha. A top six finish nationally is definitely something for them to build upon in the coming years.

North Carolina was knocked out the next night by Arizona St., who ended up beating the Heels twice to knock them out of the college world series. UNC was in control early, but then a grand slam to tie the game really took the wind out of Carolina, who fell apart down the stretch. UNC, once again, had a great year and made the college world series for the fourth straight year. However, once again, were not able to bring home a title. Carolina baseball is starting to look like the Buffalo Bills. If Mike Fox continues to bring the talent in that he has in recent years UNC will have more opportunities.

Since UNC and UVA are now out of the college world series, a remarkable statistic continues. There has not been a college world series champion from the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1955. I find that to be an unbelievable stat. Considering that the ACC is many times considered to be the best baseball conference in America and so many traditional powers (FSU, Clemson, UNC, Georgia Tech, Miami) play in this conference, it is almost unbelievable that no team since Wake Forest in 1955 has won the national championship. Maybe next year ACC.

UNC and UVA still alive at CWS; both in losers bracket

UNC and UVA both lost their openers in Omaha but both won game twos to avoid being sent home. UNC lost to Arizona St. in a great game if you like pitching battles. They were tied 1-1 after nine innings with ASU taking it in extras. Virginia lost to LSU in their opener 9-5 but rebounded to knock out Cal State Fullerton to remain alive.

Next up for UNC is Arizona St. again, this time in a loser leave town match. Arizona St. lost to Texas last night to put themselves in the losers bracket. I would predict UNC to win this re-match and move on. It is hard to beat a team as quality as UNC two times in a row and I think UNC has the edge in the pitching match-up.

Virginia plays Arkansas. Arkansas was beaten by LSU after Virginia was to find themselves in the losers bracket. UVA has made a great run this year, their best in school history, but I expect it to end here. Arkansas is the more experienced and at this stage talented ball club and I expect them to move on to get a re-match with LSU.

UNC and VIrginia advance to College World Series

North Carolina has advanced to the college world series for the fourth straight year after sweeping East Carolina in their best of three game series on Sunday. After easily winning game one, the Heels made it look routine again in winning game two 9-3. Dustin Akley hit a three run homer for the Heels in what figures to be his last year of college as he is likely a top 5 pick in the upcoming baseball draft on Tuesday.

The question for the Heels this year is can they actually close the deal and win a national championship? This is their fourth straight trip to the college world series and in two of those years they have made the championship series. They have not been able to close the deal in either of those other opportunities. This year could be their best chance as they were the preseason number one team and have been in the top 5 all year long.

Virginia was the second ACC team to qualify for the 2009 college world series, winning a tough three game series against Ole Miss on the road. This is Virginia's first trip to the college world series in school history. After dropping game one in extra innings, the Cavaliers won games two and three 4-3 and 5-1.

The question for Virginia will be how content they are to simply be in the field. This is their first trip in school history, much less for this group of players. Virginia has been one of the hotter teams in the country lately, winning the ACC tournament in a loaded field and now winning a three game super regional as the road team. Virginia could probably make a deep run as long as they play to win and are not just content with making the college world series.

ACC teams busy in baseball super regionals

Four ACC teams made it through the regional round of the NCAA college baseball tournament and are now in the super regionals starting this weekend. North Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, and Virginia all have tough series ahead of them if they want to qualify for Omaha.

Virginia is playing Ole Miss and the series is at Ole Miss. Usually, the home team is going to have a decided advantage playing in just a three game series. Virginia has a lot of young guys playing major roles as a freshman will probably start for them in game one at pitcher. Ole Miss should have the upper hand.

Update: Ole Miss won game one with a home run in the 12th inning to take a 1-0 series lead. Virginia played a great game but could not come up with enough runs. Game two tomorrow.

Update2: Virginia stayed alive on Saturday, beating Ole Miss 4-3 to push the series to the third and final game. Game 3 will be on Sunday.

Florida State is playing Arkansas but the Seminoles are the home team in their regional. Again, FSU should have the advantage in a short series like this being the home team. FSU is also coming off one of the most impressive performances in CBB history with a 37-6 win over Ohio St. to win their regional. Yes, that score is correct; 37-6 in a baseball game. For Ohio St. I quote Dan Hawkins: "this ain't intramurals brother".

Update: FSU dropped game one to the Razorbacks Friday 7-2. Starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger threw five shutout innings for Arkansas in the win.

Update2: FSU was swept away by Arkansas on Saturday, losing game 2 9-8. FSU was swept at home which does not happen all that often. There are now three teams left with a shot at Omaha from the ACC.

North Carolina plays in-state rival East Carolina in a 3 game series starting Saturday at UNC. UNC has made the college world series the last three years and look for them to do it again this year. UNC is one of the most talented teams in the country, and while ECU is good, it would take near perfect efforts for ECU to take 2 of 3 from the Heels.

Update: The Heels easily won game one of their super regional as the home team, beating ECU 10-1 on Saturday. Game two is on Sunday and I predict the sweep from Carolina.

Clemson will take on Arizona St. at Arizona St. starting Saturday. Clemson is one of the most consistent baseball programs in the country but is on the road. I look for Clemson to win this thing in three games and pull the minor upset. Arizona St. had a great year however and obviously it would not surprise me to see them advance to the college world series either.

Update: Clemson played well for a while in Tempe on Saturday, but eventually fell to Arizona St. 7-4 in game one of their best of three super regional series. Game two will be on Sunday and Clemson is now in a must win two in a row situation.