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Miami clinches spot in College World Series

 
Published June 7, 2015

CORAL GABLES — Sam Abrams arrived at Miami five years ago, hoping to one day see the College World Series.

He's finally going there.

Abrams worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the third inning to begin four crucial shutout innings of relief, Miami took command with five runs in the seventh and the Hurricanes earned their first CWS trip since 2008 by beating Virginia Commonwealth 10-3 Saturday to finish a two-game sweep of their Super Region series.

It's Miami's 12th CWS trip in Jim Morris' 22 seasons as Hurricanes coach.

"It's been a long time since we've been to Omaha," Morris said. "Needless to say, I'm very excited. … Our players don't know what's getting ready to hit them. It's something they'll remember for the rest of their lives."

Willie Abreu homered and drove in two runs and David Thompson added two RBIs for the Hurricanes (49-15), who seek their fifth national championship and first since 2001. All nine Miami starters in the batting order scored, and seven of them drove in at least one run.

"The endless support and the endless love that we get from all our fans, that's just something real special," Abreu said.

Logan Farrar hit a leadoff home run and Matt Davis and Jimmy Kerrigan each had two hits for VCU (40-25), which was in this round for the first time. Rams starter Heath Dwyer (10-3) gave up four runs, three earned, and five hits in four innings.

VCU had not allowed more than three runs in any of its previous 16 games.

"We're definitely proud of our effort," Dwyer said. "We set the bar high for further VCU teams. It's new territory for us."

After VCU loaded the bases with none out against Miami starter Thomas Woodrey thanks to a walk, a double and a hit batter, the Hurricanes summoned Abrams. The sidewinder struck out the first two Rams he faced, then got James Bunn to fly out to right.

Abrams, a Miami native who grew up attending UM games, pitched for the Hurricanes as a freshman in 2011 but got cut in 2012. He returned in 2013 and has a 1.21 ERA this season, having allowed only three runs. He also just finished his masters degree in business.

"Everything worked out perfectly," Abrams said. "It's a dream come true."

Player killed: Former UAB football player Greg Maclin was killed Thursday in an auto accident in Huntsville, Ala. He was 19. He was a passenger in a Dodge Charger that struck two cars sitting at the side of a road.

Show makes dough: A Rolling Stones concert last week at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, on Ohio State's campus, made a profit "probably north of $600,000" for the school, OSU vice president Xen Riggs said.

Jurisprudence: Temple linebacker Haason Reddick and offensive lineman Dion Dawkins will go to trial on charges of felony aggravated assault and conspiracy, the Philadelphia Daily News reported. The charges stem from an off-campus fight this year; a Common Pleas judge ruled the pair would stand trial, overturning a municipal judge who had dismissed the charges.