The Colorado Rockies can now sign their 25th round draft pick, UNC pitcher Patrick Johnson, following the Tar Heels' 5-1 loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores on Wednesday night in the 2011 College World Series. Johnson pitched in the first game of the CWS and picked up the loss, allowing five runs.
This time around, Vanderbilt struck early with five runs over the first three innings. Tony Kempt tripled to start the bottom of the first inning and scored on a sacrifice fly; Connor Harrell blasted a three-run homer in the second; and Curt Casali launched a home run in the third inning. UNC starter Greg Holt left after 2.2 innings.
Vandy starter Taylor Hill allowed one run on four hits and four walks in seven innings. He struck out four. Corey Williams threw two innings of hitless, scoreless relief.
Vanderbilt will play Florida on Friday afternoon. Two wins will put Vanderbilt in the championship series, a loss ends their season.
Here is the remaining schedule and the results so far of Bracket 1:
Game 1: Vanderbilt def. North Carolina, 7-3
Game 2: Florida def. Texas, 8-4
Game 5: North Carolina def. Texas, 3-0
Game 6: Florida def. Vanderbilt, 3-1
Game 9: Vanderbilt def. North Carolina, 5-1
Game 11: Florida vs. Vanderbilt, 12 p.m. MT, Friday, June 24, ESPN/ESPN3.com
Game 13, if necessary: Game 11 Winner vs. Game 11 Loser, 12 p.m. MT, Saturday, June 25
Head on over to SBNation.com's College World Series hub for more