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Cavs' punch ticket to Omaha with late rally

One out was all that stood between the Cavaliers trading their tickets to Omaha in for tickets to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride on an earlier than desired summer vacation.

But one out was all Chris Taylor needed to extend Virginia's season and put those Omaha tickets to good use.

Taylor's two-RBI single in the bottom of the ninth completed the Cavs' two-out rally, giving them the 3-2 victory over UC Irvine (43-18) and propelling them to the College World Series for the second time in three seasons.

Branden Kline picked up the win, pitching the final 1.1 innings after starter Will Roberts pitched the first 7.1, giving up just one run on five hits.

UC Irvine took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on Brian Hernandez's RBI groundout, but pulled even in the sixth thanks to Kenny Swab's solo homer, his first of the season. The Anteaters worked in a run in the top of the ninth to take the lead, leaving the Cavaliers with one at bat to keep their season alive.

After the first two batters were sat down, David Coleman hit a single up the middle and Jared King followed with a infield single off the pitcher to put runners on first and second. Reed Gragnani then drew a walk to load the bases and set the stage for Taylor's heroics. He took the first pitch for a strike and then sent the next one up the middle to seal the win.

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Virginia (54-10) face California on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Omaha, Nebraska.

, Roanoke Sports Examiner

Travis Williams is an aspiring writer, broadcaster and humorist with a passion for connecting with people from all walks of life through good, and often humorous, conversations on sports. He is a current contributor to sportspagenetwork.com, NFLSpinZone.com, and E-Sports.com and has also worked...

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