UC-Irvine snaps LSU’s long winning streak

The 11-5 victory in the super regional broke the Tigers’ 23-game winning streak.

Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. — Sean Madigan and Brock Bardeen each hit home runs, leading UC Irvine to an 11-5 victory over LSU in the super regional opener Saturday night and ending the Tigers’ 23-game winning streak.

The Anteaters (42-16) got on the scoreboard quickly with a two-run single in the first by Tony Asaro and broke it open with nine runs from the fifth through eighth innings. Madigan hit a three-run homer in the sixth, and Bardeen a two-run shot in the eighth for UC Irvine, one win away from its second straight College World Series appearance.

Anteaters ace Scott Gorgen (12-3) allowed two runs — one earned — and six hits and struck out eight in 62‚Ñ3 innings.

DJ LeMahieu hit a two-run homer for LSU (46-17-1), which last lost to Georgia on April 19. Ryan Verdugo (9-3) took the loss after giving up three runs and five hits in five innings.

Florida State 14, Wichita State 4

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State scored five times in the third inning and Matt Fairel pitched eight solid innings to lead the Seminoles over Wichita State and force a deciding third game in their super regional series.

The Seminoles (53-12) chased Shockers ace Aaron Shafer, a second-round pick of the Chicago Cubs, in the third inning, the shortest stint of his career. Stuart Tapley homered and Dennis Guinn dealt the final blow with a two-run single, driving in the fourth and fifth runs of the inning.

Wichita State (48-16) saw its 10-game winning streak end against a Florida State team that has scored 10 or more runs in five of seven NCAA postseason games. The 14 runs allowed were the most by the Shockers this season.

North Carolina St. 10, Georgia 6

ATHENS, Ga. — North Carolina State scored four runs in the seventh inning and forced a deciding third game in its super regional series against Georgia.

North Carolina 9, Coastal Carolina 4

CARY, N.C. — Alex White threw seven strong innings and Seth Williams homered to lead North Carolina past mistake-prone Coastal Carolina in the opener of the teams’ super regional series.

Rice 9, Texas A M 7

HOUSTON — Jordan Dodson drove in four runs and Cole St. Clair had a terrific outing in relief, leading Rice past Texas A M in the first game of the series.