'Dogs Eliminate UNC Advance to CWS Finals

Fresno State's amazing run continues. Clayton Allison came back from a shoulder injury to pitch over six innings, and Tommy Mendonca drove in four runs to lead the ‘Dogs to 6-1 victory over North Carolina on Sunday night to win their bracket in the College World Series. FS will play Georgia for the national title beginning Monday at 4 p.m. PT in a best of three series.

BOXSCORE

Fresno State is the first No. 4 regional seed to make the CWS. Moreover, the ‘Dogs did it without ace pitcher Tanner Scheppers - a second-round pick by Pittsburgh. He has missed the entire postseason with a slight rotator cuff tear.

Facing elimination versus North Carolina, the ‘Dogs were in control from the get-go Sunday night. The Tar Heels were pressed every inning. FS scored at least one run in each inning between the third and sixth.

Clayton Allison has been out with tendonitis in his throwing shoulder since the super regional. He allowed Dustin Ackley's double to start the game and five singles in over six innings. His only allowed run came when he issued a bases-loaded walk in the fourth.

The ‘Dogs opened the scoring in the third against reliever Brian Moran. Alan Ahmady was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out, followed by Tommy Mendonca’s two-run single to left.

The Bulldogs went up 3-1 in the fourth after Jordan Ribera singled. Then, he ended up on third on Tar Heel reliever Colin Bates threw errant pickoff. Danny Muno's single brought Ribera home.

Fresno State added a run in the fifth on Mendonca's RBI double. The final two came in the sixth on a grounder by Ahmady and a single by Mendonca.

BOXSCORE