The first day of the 2011 College World Series ended with the Vanderbilt Commodores and Florida Gators as victors, each advancing to the winner's bracket of the double elimination tournament.
In the first game of the day, Vanderbilt defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 7-3. The Commodores, in their first College World Series ever, did not look the part of nervous newcomer, and were aided by North Carolina leaving 16 runners on base, just one short of the CWS record. Center fielder Connor Harrell broke the game open in the sixth inning, hitting the first home run at the newly christened TD Ameritrade Park, breaking open a tie game. Three Vanderbilt relievers shut down the Gators the rest of the way, and just like that, the newbie 'Dores were one step closer to championship glory.
Game Two saw the the Florida Gators defeat the Texas Longhorns 8-4. Despite begin down 3-0 early behind some sloppy play, Florida stormed back and took the lead in the fourth inning, never surrendering the lead once obtained. Florida starter Hudson Randall gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings pitched, but only one of those runs were earned. He struck out five and walked none. Longhorns starter Taylor Jungmann, the #12 pick in the 2011 MLB Draft of the Milwaukee Brewers, had his worst start of the season, lasting only 4 1/3 innings.
Florida will now face Vanderbilt Monday evening in a Bracket 1 winners' game. Texas and North Carolina will meet Monday afternoon in an elimination game.
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