OMAHA, Neb. — Arizona converted three errors into a six-run first inning and advanced to the College World Series final with a 10-3 victory over Florida State on Thursday, eliminating the Seminoles.
FSU (50-17) has made 21 appearances in Omaha without a title, a record.
Freshman starter Brandon Leibrandt was pulled after he recorded one out. The Seminoles used eight pitchers to tie a CWS record for a nine-inning game.
Robert Refsnyder and Bobby Brown homered in a span of three at-bats in the fourth as the Wildcats built their lead to 10-1.
"About the easiest way to sum it up is say we got taken to the woodshed," FSU coach Mike Martin said.
Martin has been coach for 15 of the fruitless trips to Omaha, but he said the championship drought isn't testing his patience.
"Not at all," he said. "I'll tell you exactly how I feel. It's Christmastime. You get to come to Omaha, Neb., and experience the week of Christmas with great people. You'll have memories that you'll cherish for the rest of your life.
"No, I don't feel like Job. I feel like King David, because I am on top of the world with people that will fight for you for 27 outs."
Kurt Heyer (13-2) took the national lead for wins.
The Wildcats (46-17) won Bracket 1 and open the best-of-three final Sunday, seeking a fourth national championship.
Leibrandt threw 31 pitches (15 strikes), and his throwing error set the stage for Arizona's first inning. No team at the CWS had committed as many errors in an inning since Miami had three in 2004 against Cal State Fullerton.
Heyer raised his nation-leading innings total to 153, the most in Division I since 2006.
fsu honors: Senior third baseman Sherman Johnson out of Alonso High was awarded the Gold Glove by the American Baseball Coaches Association. He posted a .970 fielding percentage. "It's been awesome, he said after his career ended Thursday. "We just had fun this year, and it showed."… Senior outfielder James Ramsey is the repeat selection as the ACC baseball scholar-athlete of the year. He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in finance.
Kent state ousted: South Carolina's Michael Roth pitched a two-hitter and the Gamecocks beat Kent State 4-1 in an early elimination game, then beat Arkansas 2-0 late Thursday. South Carolina and Arkansas play again tonight. It was the first time since 1980 that a team played two complete CWS games on the same day. Michigan and California each did it that year.
auburn trees trial: A judge delayed the trial of Alabama fan Harvey Updyke, accused of poisoning Auburn's Toomer's Corner oak trees.