Tomorrow afternoon at 2pm CST, the UC Irvine Anteaters (40-23, 15-9 Big West) take on the Texas Longhorns (43-19, 13-11 Big 12) in the opening game of the 2014 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The Anteaters earned a trip to Omaha by besting Oklahoma State two games to none in the best-of-three series in the Super Regionals last weekend. Strong pitching has carried Irvine this season, as they have a team ERA of 2.76. Andrew Morales is the ace of the staff and he will get the start tomorrow afternoon for the 'Eaters. He pitched a complete game shutout in the series-clinching game in Stillwater last weekend. Morales has a team-best ERA of 1.53 among starting pitchers. He also has a team high 11 wins. Connor Spencer leads UC Irvine in batting average with a .370 mark. Taylor Sparks and Kris Paulino are tied for the team lead in homeruns with 5, and Spencer leads the team with 44 RBI on the season. Texas was rewarded with another trip to the CWS after sweeping Houston 2-0 in its Super Regional series last weekend. The Longhorns also have a strong pitching staff that has been their bread and butter this year. Senior Nathan Thornhill has an ERA of 1.57 to lead pitchers with a minimum of 10 starts, and he will get the start tomorrow on the hill for the 'Horns. He also has a team-best 8 wins on the season for legendary coach Augie Garrido. Madison Carter has a batting average of .347, tops for the team. Ben Johnson leads the team with 6 homeruns, and Mark Payton has a team best 38 RBI. This should be a great game, and I think runs will be at a premium with two great starting pitchers taking the hill. I think Morales will continue his hot streak on the mound for the Anteaters, and I look for UC Irvine to manufacture some runs and come out with an opening round win.
