Stony Brook shocks LSU for spot in College World Series

Baton Rouge, LA, United States (AHN Sports) – Frankie Vanderka threw a three-hitter and Stony Brook advanced to its first-ever College World Series with a 7-2 victory over LSU on Sunday night.

Stony Brook, which has won 28 of its last 31 games, is just the second No. 4 seed to reach the College World Series since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1999.

The Seawolves are also the first America East team to reach the College World Series.

“I’m a little overwhelmed, quite frankly, because I think I do know the magnitude of this,” Stony Brook coach Matt Senk said. “It’s just an overwhelming feeling to make it to Omaha — every college baseball team’s dream, every college baseball coach’s dream — and it’s come to fruition.”

Stony Brook jumped on top early and held on. The Seawolves sent 17 batters to the plate in the third and fourth innings and outhit the Tigers, 15-3.

Maxx Tissenbaum had two hits and three RBIs. He came through with a two-RBI double in the fourth to make it 6-1.

Although LSU shortstop Austin Nola would get a run back with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, the Tigers never threatened again.

“They came down here and they played great baseball, and they deserved to win this super regional,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “We have no excuses. They outplayed us, really, in every phase of the game.”

The last No. 4 seed to advance to the College World Series was Fresno State in 2008, and the Bulldogs went on to win the College World Series.

---

---