Rice returns to World Series after 5-2 win over Texas A&M

Mississippi State also advanced after an 8-5 win over Clemson.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — Matt Langwell allowed just one earned run and struck out seven to help Rice beat Texas A&M 5-2 Saturday to advance to the College World Series for the second straight year.

The Owls (54-12) led 2-0 after three innings with Joe Savery leading the way offensively. Savery singled home Brian Friday in the first inning. In the third, he connected on Kyle Thebeau’s 2-1 pitch for an opposite-field home run to left for a 2-0 lead. Danny Lehmann made it 3-0 an inning later when he scored on Tyler Henley’s double-play grounder.

Langwell (8-1) pitched into the seventh inning to get the win. Cole St. Claire allowed one run to earn his eighth save of the year.

Mississippi St. 8, Clemson 5

STARKVILLE, Miss. — A day after his home run lifted Mississippi State to one victory, Mitch Moreland’s save sent the Bulldogs to the College World Series for the first time since 1998.

Moreland combined with closer Aaron Weatherford on four strikeouts and 21⁄3 innings of scoreless relief to ensure the win.

The team piled on Moreland near the pitcher’s mound and hundreds of the super regional record 13,715 fans swarmed the infield.

It was an improbable run to Omaha, Neb., for Mississippi State (38-20), which had lost eight of 10 games heading into NCAA postseason play.

Oklahoma St. 3, Louisville 2

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Keanon Simon’s RBI single in the top of the 12th inning gave Oklahoma State a win over host Louisville in the super regional.

The Cowboys’ victory forced a third game in the best-of-3 series.

Oklahoma State (42-20), which has been to 19 College World Series, scored first on Corey Brown’s solo home run in the fourth inning. It was a team-leading 22nd of the year for Brown, who was selected 59th overall by the Oakland Athletics in last week’s Major League Baseball amateur draft.

UC-Irvine 1, Wichita St. 0

WICHITA, Kan. — California-Irvine right-hander Scott Gorgen shut out Wichita State in the opening game of the NCAA super regional.

Gorgen allowed eight hits, struck out seven and walked three. He threw 141 pitches.

The Anteaters scored in the eighth inning when Sean Madigan hit a pitch off WSU closer Noah Krol’s leg. It bounced away, allowing the runner to score from third.