College World Series Semifinals Open With 4 Teams Left as West Virginia, Georgia Advance

Q: Can MLB prospect Gavin Kelly power underdog West Virginia to a stunning upset in their first CWS?

Yes — Gavin Kelly gives West Virginia a real chance to spring the upset, but he likely cannot do it alone. Kelly has been the Mountaineers’ most dangerous power bat and just showed why in Tuesday’s 12-0 elimination win over Troy, when he hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs. He now has 18 home runs and is the team’s RBI leader, making him the clearest candidate to change a game with one swing. As an MLB Draft prospect, he is exactly the kind of player who can carry an underdog for stretches in Omaha. But the challenge is steep. West Virginia must beat North Carolina twice, while the Tar Heels need only one win to reach their first national championship series since 2007. North Carolina also has a deeper pitching staff and already beat the Mountaineers 5-2 on Sunday. The Tar Heels’ decision to start Folger Boaz while keeping key bullpen arm Caden Glauber available underscores that depth. For West Virginia to pull it off in its first College World Series, Kelly’s power must be paired with pressure from Armani Guzman, whose speed and on-base ability can create scoring chances and disrupt North Carolina’s defense. The Mountaineers also need a strong pitching plan, whether that comes from Chansen Cole, Ian Korn or a bullpen mix. Kelly can absolutely be the centerpiece of a stunning upset. To finish it, West Virginia will need its star catcher to stay hot and the rest of the roster to match him.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 17

West Virginia and Georgia claimed the final two semifinal spots Tuesday, eliminating Troy 12-0 and Texas 2-0 to join North Carolina and Oklahoma in Omaha's final four.
Wednesday's bracket finals pit No. 5 North Carolina against No. 16 West Virginia at 2 p.m. ET and No. 3 Georgia against Oklahoma at 7 p.m. ET.
North Carolina and Oklahoma enter from the winners' bracket and can reach the championship series with one victory, while West Virginia and Georgia must win twice.
Georgia got there behind nine shutout innings split between Dylan Vigue and five innings of relief, while West Virginia carried its shutout through the ninth after breaking open the Troy game late.