CWS: Arizona into finals, South Carolina stays alive

Arizona converted three Florida State errors into a six-run first inning and advanced to the College World Series finals with a 10-3 victory over Florida State on Thursday.

Freshman starter Brandon Leibrandt was pulled after he recorded just one out for the Seminoles, who used eight pitchers to tie a CWS record for a nine-inning game.

Robert Refsnyder and Bobby Brown homered in a span of three at-bats in the fourth as the Wildcats built their lead to 10-1.

Kurt Heyer (13-2) worked 7 1-3 innings while taking the national lead for wins.

The Wildcats (46-17) won Bracket 1 and will open the best-of-three finals Sunday.

Leibrandt (8-3) was knocked out after 4 1-3 innings of the Seminoles' 4-3, 12-inning loss to Arizona last Friday. On Thursday, he threw 31 pitches, only 15 strikes, and his throwing error set the stage for Arizona's big first inning.

South Carolina 4, Kent State 1

Michael Roth pitched a two-hitter and two-time defending national champion South Carolina eliminated Kent State from the College World Series with a victory Thursday.

The game had been postponed by rain Wednesday.

The Gamecocks (47-18) play again Thursday night against Arkansas. They need two wins over the Razorbacks to advance to the championship round that starts Sunday.

Grayson Greiner and Chase Vergason hit consecutive RBI singles in the second inning to erase Kent State's 1-0 lead. LB Dantzler homered in the third against Tyler Skulina.

Kent State (47-20) finished 1-2 in its first CWS appearance.

Roth (9-1) struck out eight and walked none. He retired 22 in a row after giving up Sawyer Polen's RBI single in the second inning.