Virginia's baseball season will continue. Two days after a disheartening loss to South Carolina knocked them to the brink of elimination, the Cavaliers topped California 8-1 to eliminate the Golden Bears and stave off elimination themselves in the 2011 College World Series. The Cavaliers will get a rematch with South Carolina next for a berth in the championship game. Virginia must win twice, while South Carolina can win just once and advance.
The Cavaliers were never threatened by California, who they defeated handily earlier in the tournament. They scored two runs in the third inning before piling on four more in the sixth. California got a run in the eighth inning, but Virginia got two more for good measure after that.
Now, the top-ranked Cavaliers must beat defending champion South Carolina twice to advance. Their first chance will come Friday at 7 p.m. If the Cavaliers win, they'll play again Saturday at 7. Florida and Vanderbilt will do battle on the other side of the bracket.