CONWAY, S.C. — Washington is headed to its first-ever NCAA Tournament super regional after AJ Graffanino doubled in three runs to break a 6-6 tie in the eighth inning and rally past UConn 9-6 on Sunday night.
The Washington Huskies (33-23), which was seeded third in the four -team regional, will face either Stanford or Cal State Fullerton next weekend for a spot in the College World Series.
Washington was down 6-1 early before tying things up with a five-run third inning. Things remained tied into the eighth when two UConn throwing errors and an intentional walk loaded the bases. That’s when
Graffanino, the second baseman, doubled to right to clear the bases.
Washington reliever Alex Hardy gave up a leadoff single in the ninth before closing out UConn (37-22-1).
Designated hitter Joe Wainhouse had three hits including his 17th homer and three RBIs for Washington.
UConn, the second seed, earlier knocked out host Coastal Carolina 6-5.
South Florida eliminates Hartford in 11 innings, 9-4
David Villar had two hits and drove in three runs, including the go-ahead in the 11th inning, and South Florida defeated Hartford 9-4 on Saturday, eliminating the Hawks from the NCAA Tournament’s DeLand Regional.
Villar’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the 11th gave the Bulls the lead for good. Joe Genord then supplied some insurance runs with a three-run homer down the left-field line.
USF (36-21-1) faces Oklahoma State in another elimination game on Sunday.
Andrew Perez (6-3) pitched four innings in relief to get the win. He allowed one unearned run on four hits with two strikeouts.
Nick Campana had three hits and TJ Ward drove in two runs for the Hawks, who end the season 26-31. Billy DeVito (1-5), who was the fourth Hartford pitcher, got the loss.
