Tag Archives: Pepperdine
Arizona coach Andy Lopez shared a handshake and a hug with South Carolina’s Ray Tanner after his team clinched a national title Monday. Soon after, Lopez was gushing, at every opportunity, about the Gamecocks in media interviews.
Sincere words from Lopez, too. He called Michael Roth a “legend.” And SC’s closer, Matt Price? “My God,” Lopez said, rendered speechless.
Not that the Wildcats needed any validation for what they accomplished this year — they just won a CWS title! — but taking down the two-time defending champs along the way adds some significance to the moment for Lopez and his players.
They knocked off South Carolina in the same (seemingly magical) fashion that the Gamecocks won the past two championships — timely hitting, efficient defense …
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Maybe the only reason why Arizona coach Andy Lopez went up to chat with Alex Mejia at a Wildcat prospect summer camp is because he wondered if the young high schooler was related to a former foe.
In high school and college, Lopez (UCLA) played plenty of games against Carlo Mejia, who was an All-American at Pepperdine in 1975. So when Lopez saw “Mejia” on the back of a kid’s jersey at that camp, he overlooked the 8.3-second 60-yard dash time and started a conversation.
“(I said) are you related? — and before I could finish, he said, ‘Yeah, my dad said to say hello,’” Lopez said.
Evaluation process over. Recruitment over. Alex Mejia was going to be a Wildcat.
“I said, if you’re like …
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More than 20,000 fans (most with no rooting interest until game day) cheering against your team simply because your underdog opponent is the city’s adopted favorite? Yep, UCLA’s been here before.
Two years ago, the Bruins matched up against TCU, which was making its first College World Series appearance. As one could imagine, the local Omaha crowd backed the Horned Frogs in all three games.
And now, this year, UCLA will open CWS action against Stony Brook at 4 p.m. Friday. Same story for the Bruins.
“We hope the stadium’s filled, and if everyone is pulling for them, that’s what college baseball is all about,” Bruins coach John Savage said. “We’ll embrace it and go play.”
Savage and the three other head coaches on his …
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The player who hit the walk-off home run against North Carolina’s All-American closer couldn’t believe it as he watched the baseball sail over the fence. Danny Bethea had just two other homers all year.
There are probably some Tar Heels who’re still emotionally paralyzed today.
UNC closer Michael Morin hadn’t allowed a run in more than 16 innings. His 18 saves this year have tied a school record. His deceptive changeup is usually enough to keep opposing batters off balance.
But Morin threw a fastball to the St. John’s catcher. And the right-handed hitting Bethea, slugging under .400 all year, came through.
Three-run homer. Game over.
“It’s something that I’ll always remember,” Bethea said. “At first I was in shock as to what actually happened. …
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Nebraska coach Darin Erstad had three firsthand looks at Creighton’s baseball team this year, which is why he’s not surprised to see the Bluejays playing in the NCAA tournament.
“The formula’s been pretty well set in stone,” he said. “If you can pitch and play defense — which they can very well — whoever gets hot swinging the bats in tournament time is going to be successful. … That’s a good combination for winning in the postseason.”
Regional play begins today. The Bluejays (26-28) visit No. 2 national seed UCLA at 9 p.m. The Bruins (42-14), like Erstad, are well aware of Creighton’s recent hot streak (read Steven Pivovar’s preview story).
The Huskers won two of three against Creighton this year, but NU’s …
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