Game 1 of the 2011 College World Series got underway on Saturday with a contest between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the North Carolina Tar Heels. The pitching matchup pits Colorado Rockies 25th round draftee and UNC staff ace Patrick Johnson against Vandy's Sonny Gray, the 18th overall selection in the draft by the Oakland Athletics. UNC currently leads, 3-2.
Patrick Johnson has been the better of the two pitchers so far today, though nerves likely affected him early on. Vandy's Tony Kempt led the game off with a bunt single and moved to second on the same play following a throwing error. A ground out and a sac fly put the 'Dores up, 1-0. A pop fly out in the third inning briefly tied the game at two. Through five innings, Johnson had allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and has walked two and struck out three.
Sonny Gray has not been as fortunate through four innings. He's right around 80 pitches and has allowed Colin Moran to drive in two of UNC's three runs, the latest on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch.
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