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After an impressive all-around performance in an 8-4 win against the Tennessee Volunteers on Tuesday, the Texas Longhorns return to TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha for a second elimination game, this time against the Virginia Cavaliers.
Originally scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Central on ESPN2, approaching inclement weather has delayed first pitch. Left-hander Pete Hansen (9-1, 1.79 ERA) takes the mound for the Longhorns against Cavaliers right-hander Mike Vasil (7-5, 4.82 ERA). A 6’5, 225-pounder, Vasil last started against Jacksonville, lasting only 2.0 innings when he allowed five earned runs on seven hits.
Virginia is trying to bounce back from blowing a 4-0 lead against Mississippi State after starter Griff McGarry took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. By scoring six runs in the eighth, the Bulldogs send the Hoos into the loser’s bracket to face the Horns.
The Cavaliers have shown some mental toughness during the NCAA Tournament, winning four straight elimination games in the Columbia Regional and the last two games against Dallas Baptist.
As Texas faces Virginia tonight in an elimination game, here's an interesting stat. In six elimination games during this NCAA tournament, UVA is hitting .289. On the year, UVA has hit .266. #CWS
— Riley Zayas (@ZayasRiley) June 24, 2021
Leadoff hitter Zack Gelof has been hot in Omaha, going 6-for-8 (.750) with three runs scored, two doubles, and two RBI. Chris Newell, the center fielder for the Cavaliers, has five hits in the College World Series, including a home run on Tuesday against the Bulldogs, his second of the NCAA Tournament. Overall, Virginia is hitting .356 at TD Ameritrade Park.
[Update: 6:15 p.m. Central]
Just told this game will not start before 7 PM. If it can’t be played today, then it will likely be played at 9 AM. The winner would have to turn around and play again at 6 PM against Mississippi State.
— Steve Robertson (@ScoutSteveR) June 24, 2021
Quick take on the #CWS delay: The back edge of rain/lightning won’t clear the Omaha metro until about 8-9pm (then add 30 minutes after the last lightning strike) pic.twitter.com/nen6YGsnFj
— Matt Serwe KETV (@MattSerweKETV) June 24, 2021
[Update: 7:15 p.m. Central]
Radar now indicates that rain is forecast to persist in Omaha until about 10:45.
[Update: 8:05 p.m. Central]
No change in the forecast from Weather.com, but it sounds like it might be a late night at TD Ameritrade Park and there is some optimism from a local meteorologist.
NCAA rep just told us that “every effort will be made to get this game played tonight.” Good chance that it won’t begin before 9PM at least, if not later. pic.twitter.com/XtKeZGI96C
— Craig Way (@craigway1) June 25, 2021
Still a few lightning strikes out in west Omaha. Lightning should wrap up within the next hour. Based on that, I think the #CWS could safely start around 9:00 PM. pic.twitter.com/2QVS5dJGR3
— Sean Everson (@SeanEversonKETV) June 25, 2021
[Update: 8:50 p.m. Central]
Time to hope that there isn’t any more lightning in the vicinity of the stadium so this game can finally get started.
NCAA rep just told us we’re about 10-15 minutes from an “all-clear”, followed by 45-50 minutes to prepare the field. Barring another lightning strike, we could be looking at a first pitch sometime between 9:30 PM a s 10PM CT.
— Craig Way (@craigway1) June 25, 2021
[Update: 8:56 p.m. Central]
We now have a time for first pitch.
First pitch set for 9:45
— Nick Moyle (@NRMoyle) June 25, 2021