OMAHA, Neb. -- The phrase "two and 'cue" is a phrase that teams try to avoid at the College World Series.
Those three words are an offshoot of the classic "Oh and two and barbecue" that describes a team that fails to win in two tries each summer at Rosenblatt Stadium.
In 2009, the first team to earn that dubious distinction was Cal State Fullerton, who failed to win a game after being ousted by newcomer Virginia 7-5 Monday afternoon at the College World Series.
It is the second straight time the Titans have done the "two and 'cue," as they were winless in their last trip in 2007. They nearly avoided elimination, but Virginia held on and advanced to face Arkansas, a 9-1 loser to LSU in winner's bracket play Monday evening.
Virginia got its first-ever win at the College World Series after tagging All-American Daniel Renken for six runs in less than six innings of work. The six runs given up by Renken was a season high for the Titans' ace.
Cal State Fullerton jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second on a two-run homer by Dustin Garneau, but Virginia strung three RBI hits together in a four-run effort in the bottom of the second to take a 4-2 lead, and the Cavaliers never trailed after that.
Keith Werman singled home the tying run, and Danny Hultzen followed with a two-run single to give the Cavaliers the lead for good. They would extend their lead to 7-3 before Cal State Fullerton rallied to close the gap to two runs and have the tying run on base before the Cavs shut down the rally.
The win was a special one for Virginia coach Brian O'Connor, who was a pitcher for the hometown Creighton Bluejays when they reached the College World Series in 1991.
LSU made quick work in disposing of their conference rivals, using three home runs to defeat Arkansas and earn a three-day break, as they will take on the winner of Wednesday's Virginia-Arkanas matchup on Friday.
The Tigers got a three-run homer from Mikie Mahtook in the first inning to get the runaway rolling, then saw Austin Nola and Blake Dean launch solo shots to highlight a five-run sixth inning that blew the game open.
That was more than enough run support for Louis Coleman, who scattered six hits in six innings of work to get his 14th win of the season. The three home runs hit by the Tigers brought their season home run total to 99.
On Tuesday, North Carolina and Southern Miss will meet in a 1 p.m. elimination game, while Sunday winners Arizona State and Texas meet in a 6 p.m. matchup.
Both games Tuesday should be exciting affairs, and you can get tickets for these, and all remaining, College World Series games now at Ticket Express -- where no College World Series game is ever sold out.
College World Series Schedule, Results
(All times CDT)
Saturday, June 13
Game 1 -- Arkansas 10, Cal State Fullerton 6
Game 2 -- LSU 9, Virginia 5
Sunday, June 14
Game 3 -- Arizona State 5, North Carolina 2 (10 inn.)
Game 4 -- Texas 7, Southern Miss 6
Monday, June 15
Game 5 -- Virginia 7, Cal State Fullerton 5 (CSF eliminated)
Game 6 -- LSU 9, Arkansas 1
Tuesday, June 16
Game 7 -- North Carolina (47-17) vs. Southern Miss (40-25), 1 p.m.
Game 8 -- Arizona State (50-12) vs. Texas (47-14-1), 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17
Game 9 -- Virginia (49-14-1) vs. Arkansas (40-23), 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 18
Game 10 -- Winner Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8, 6 p.m.
Friday, June 19
Game 11 -- LSU (53-16) vs. Winner Game 9, 1 p.m.
Game 12 -- Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 10, 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 20
Game 13 -- Winner Game 11 vs. Loser Game 11, 1 p.m.
Game 14 -- Winner Game 12 vs. Loser Game 12, 6 p.m.
(NOTE: If only one "if necessary" game is played, it will be at 6 p.m.)
Monday, June 22
Championship Game 1 -- Bracket winners, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 23
Championship Game 2 -- Bracket winners, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 24
Championship Game 3 -- Bracket winners, 6 p.m. (If necessary)
