OMAHA, Neb. -- Virginia got a big lead, then hung on to knock out a perennial powerhouse at the College World Series.
The Cavaliers, making their first-ever appearance at Rosenblatt Stadium, touched All-American Danny Hultzen for six runs, then held off a late Cal State Fullerton rally to send the second-seeded Titans packing with a 7-5 win in Monday's elimination game.
The Cavaliers return to College World Series action Wednesday, where they will face Arkansas, who fell to SEC counterpart LSU 9-1 in Monday's winners' bracket matchup.
The Titans took an early 2-0 lead on a two-run homer to left by Dustin Garneau in the top of the second, but Virginia came right back with four runs in the bottom of the inning and never looked back.
Virginia, which had already had success against No. 1 draft pick Steven Strasburg of San Diego State during regional play, had their way with another All-American after stringing together several hits to plate the runs needed to survive and advance.
Keith Werman was 2-for-4 on the day and had a game-tying RBI in the second to fuel the Cavaliers' rally. Danny Hultzen gave Virginia the lead for good later in the inning with a two-run single to right field.
Cal State Fullerton didn't go quietly, however. Trailing 7-3 in the ninth, they rallied for two runs and had the tying run on base before Khris Davis grounded out to Virginia shortstop Tyler Cannon to end the game.
The Titans went 0-2 in the tournament for the second straight trip, matching their 2007 effort. They also joined some rather dubious company, becoming the second team as the highest national seed to go winless in Omaha. They joined LSU, who was the No. 2 seed in 2003 and went "two and 'cue" at Rosenblatt Stadium.
The Tigers have been bringing out the big bats so far, adding three home runs to the two they hit against Virginia to power past the Razorbacks.
LSU got all the runs they would need with one swing of the bat in the first inning, as Mikie Mahtook launched a three-run shot to stake the Tigers to a quick 3-0 lead.
The third-seeded Tigers would break the game wide open in the sixth inning, scoring five runs off Arkansas reliever T.J. Forrest. Austin Nola hit his third homer of the season, and Blake Dean followed with a solo shot of his own and LSU never looked back from there.
Action continues Tuesday with North Carolina and Southern Miss meeting in a 1 p.m. elimination game, followed by a winner's bracket battle between traditional powers Arizona State and Texas at 6 p.m.
Great tickets for these games, and all remaining College World Series games, can be found at Ticket Express -- where no College World Series game is ever sold out.
College World Series Schedule, Results
(All times CDT)
Saturday, June 13
Game 1 -- Arkansas 10, Cal State Fullerton 6
Game 2 -- LSU 9, Virginia 5
Sunday, June 14
Game 3 -- Arizona State 5, North Carolina 2 (10 inn.)
Game 4 -- Texas 7, Southern Miss 6
Monday, June 15
Game 5 -- Virginia 7, Cal State Fullerton 5 (CSF eliminated)
Game 6 -- LSU 9, Arkansas 1
Tuesday, June 16
Game 7 -- North Carolina (47-17) vs. Southern Miss (40-25), 1 p.m.
Game 8 -- Arizona State (50-12) vs. Texas (47-14-1), 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17
Game 9 -- Virginia (49-14-1) vs. Arkansas (40-23), 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 18
Game 10 -- Winner Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8, 6 p.m.
Friday, June 19
Game 11 -- LSU (53-16) vs. Winner Game 9, 1 p.m.
Game 12 -- Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 10, 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 20
Game 13 -- Winner Game 11 vs. Loser Game 11, 1 p.m.
Game 14 -- Winner Game 12 vs. Loser Game 12, 6 p.m.
(NOTE: If only one "if necessary" game is played, it will be at 6 p.m.)
Monday, June 22
Championship Game 1 -- Bracket winners, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 23
Championship Game 2 -- Bracket winners, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 24
Championship Game 3 -- Bracket winners, 6 p.m. (If necessary)
