Oregon State eliminates Georgia

OMAHA, Neb. – Jonah Nickerson pitched seven strong innings, and Oregon State survived anxious moments in the eighth and ninth innings to eliminate Georgia from the College World Series with a 5-3 victory on Monday.

Chris Kunda drove in two runs for the Beavers, who play today against Miami in a loser-out game.

The Beavers, making their third CWS appearance, bounced back from Saturday’s 11-1 loss to Miami to win for the first time in six CWS games. They had been outscored 46-13 in their five previous games in Omaha.

Nickerson was solid in a 3-1 loss to Tulane in his CWS start a year ago, allowing two runs on seven hits in seven innings.

Nickerson was rewarded for his seven innings of work this time.

Jonathan Wyatt’s home run was the only hit he allowed the first four innings. Georgia converted three hits into a run in the fifth.

Nickerson walked none and struck out three before turning the game over to Kevin Gunderson to start the eighth.

Rice 3, Miami 2: Tyler Henley led off the game with a home run, closer Cole St. Clair pitched five solid innings in a rare start, and Rice held on in the ninth to beat Miami.

The victory put the Owls in the winners’ bracket, and they need to win once more to advance to the championship series. Rice will play on Wednesday night against the winner of today’s elimination game between Miami and Oregon State.

Miami fell short in its comeback bid in the ninth as Bryce Cox struck out the last two batters with the tying run on third base and the potential winning run on first.