Alumni to Compete for National Title

The College World Series is coming to a close in Omaha, NE and Baseball Factory would like to take a moment and congratulate all of our alumni who competed for this year’s national title! In all, 74 former Baseball Factory players made the trip to Omaha, representing all eight teams in the series. Tonight brings an exciting close the College World Series in a Game 3 winner-takes-all match up between Vanderbilt and Virginia at TD Ameritrade Park.

If Vanderbilt can hold off Virginia, it will be the first national championship in school history (men’s sports). In their journey to the finals, the Commodores defeated Louisville in the opening game and UC Irvine the following contest for a 2-0 start. Last Friday Texas took Vandy by surprise, coming out of the losers’ bracket to defeat the Commodores 4-0 and forcing an all-or-nothing game. It took extra innings, but Vandy held on to secure a place in this week’s finals.

Virginia also started their campaign 2-0, defeating Ole Miss and TCU.  Ole Miss battled their way out of the losers’ bracket, but Virginia overtook the Rebels 4-1 on Saturday to advance to the championship round.

In Game 1 of the finals, the Commodores defeated the Cavs 9-8. Down 2-0 in the top of the third, Vanderbilt’s Tyler Campbell hit a bases-loaded double to jump-start the offense for nine total runs, the most in a CWS inning since 2008.  Vandy reliever and Baseball Factory alumnus John Kilichowski held Virginia’s effort to rally for a Game 1 victory.

Virginia rebounded to take Game 2 of the finals 7-2, spoiling what most likely was Tyler Beede’s last start for Vandy. No team from the ACC has won the World Series since Wake Forest did in 1955. The Cavs will look to break the #Curseof55 with a victory over their SEC rival tonight. Keep an eye on Baseball Factory alumni John Norwood and Bryan Reynolds, who have been hot with the bat and impact players for Vandy thus far.  No matter the outcome, Baseball Factory is proud of our alumni for leading their teams to the College World Series finals!

Additional College World Series Notes

Though their teams fell short of the finals, several other Baseball Factory alumni had standout performances in Omaha. Led by alumnus Chris Ellis on the mound, Ole Miss faced a 42-year College World Series drought. The Rebels battled back from the loser’s bracket but couldn’t overcome the Virginia powerhouse.

Texas opened the series with a loss, but quickly rebounded with help from Baseball Factory alumnus Nathan Thornhill. The righty threw a phenomenal game against the Commodores, shutting out Vandy’s offense while striking out five and only allowing six hits.  Fellow alumnus John Curtiss came on in relief with a three up, three down effort. The Longhorns eventually fell to the Commodores in 10 innings.

For the first time in school history Texas Tech earned a College World Series birth, only to face a heartbreaking loss against Ole Miss 2-1 in an elimination game. Freshman starter and former Baseball Factory standout Ryan Moseley pitched 7 1/3 innings in the loss.

Louisville lost two consecutive games in three days, making this the second consecutive season the Cardinals traveled to the College World Series and lost in the first round. Although a disappointing end, Baseball Factory alumnus Nick Burdi had a great career at Louisville and we wish him the best of luck as he begins the next chapter in his baseball career with the Minnesota Twins.

For a complete list of Baseball Factory Alumni in the 2014 College World Series, click here.