The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are going to Omaha for the College World Series, after an absolutely incredible victory over Louisville on Sunday in the Super Regionals.
In a best-of-three series, Louisville appeared to be in great shape to tie the series 1-1 going into the bottom of the ninth. They were up 3-0, and had star closer Zach Burdi on the mound. Burdi was selected 26th overall by the Chicago White Sox in the MLB draft on Thursday, and hit 103 mph (!!!!) on the radar gun in the eighth inning of this game:
Zach Burdi over here hitting 103. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/yowb42y7NW
— Routine Baseball (@RoutineBaseball) June 12, 2016
Well, Burdi found himself in a bases-loaded jam with one out in the bottom of the ninth, and UC Santa Barbara chose to pinch-hit freshman backup catcher Sam Cohen. Cohen entered the game with just 26 at-bats and one homer on the season.
Here’s what happened:
Louisville was 47-0 this season when leading after 8 innings Sam Cohen had 26 AB all season w/HR, 7 RBI entering gm https://t.co/oNSyeQNJEf — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 12, 2016
A pinch-hit walk-off grand slam, from an inxperienced freshman against a flame-throwing star closer, to clinch a spot in the College World Series. Unbelievable. That game perfectly summarizes how wacky (and amazing) baseball can be.
