Opposites square off in CWS

Friday's night's pair of bracket championship in this year's College World Series couldn't have been any more different. The Louisiana State Tigers pounded the Arkansas Razorbacks 14-5, while the Texas Longhorns used a dramatic walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to oust the Arizona State Sun Devils.

The Tigers and the Longhorns will play a best-of-three series beginning Monday for college baseball's national championship.

If you want power, LSU can give you just that.

In three games thus far in this year's CWS, the Tigers have blasted nine home runs. LSU can score a lot of runs. Friday night against the Hogs, LSU scored in six of the nine innings played.

As for the Longhorns, they are trying to become the first No. 1 overall national seed to win the CWS since the Miami Hurricanes did it in 1999.

Texas' one-run win over the Sun Devils came off the bat of Connor Rowe, the No. 9 hitter for the Longhorns.

Just when it looked as if Arizona State would force a second championship game in Bracket 2, the Longhorns shocked the Omaha, Neb., fans with their walk-off.

In the top of the ninth, Arizona State's Cameron Rupp tied the game with a home run to dead center field and teammate Zach Wilson ripped an RBI double to give the Sun Devils their one-run cushion.

But it just wasn't to be as Texas moved on to the CWS final series.

Both teams deserve to be where they are headed into Monday's first game. And don't be surprised if this series goes the full three games.

SEC vs. Big 12 -- can it get any better?

What's this? Nats win 3 straight

With rumors swirling wildly throughout the District of Columbia that the Washington Nationals were going to fire manager Manny Acta, the Nationals have won three consecutive games with good pitching and solid defense.

Pitching and defense seem to be something that has been missing from the Nationals' game since the season opened.

However, a pair of wins at Yankee Stadium against the New York Yankees and Friday night's one-run, 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in 11 innings have the Nationals on a roll.

So does this mean Acta's job is safe at the moment?

Many thought he would be fired Monday, as it was an off day for the Nationals. However, nothing happened and thus the winning streak started.

Washington has the worst record in baseball at 19-46 entering play Saturday night at home against the Blue Jays. At home the Nationals are 11-22, while on the road they are a dismal 8-24.

Already the Nationals are 17 games out of first place in the National League East, while in the chase for the N.L. wildcard they are in dead last.

With their 19 wins, the Nationals are 10 games worse than any other last-place team in baseball.

Over their last 10 games, entering play Saturday night, the Nationals were 4-6.

Will Acta keep his job?

No.

When will be get his pink slip?

After today's series finale with the Blue Jays, the Nationals are off Monday before playing a three-game series at home against the Boston Red Sox and a three-game series in Baltimore against the Orioles (30-37, last place in the American League East).

As long as the streak continues, Acta is safe.

However, if the Red Sox handle the Nats and they struggle in Baltimore against the Orioles, look for a change to be made before they head to Florida on June 29 for a three-game set.

It would allow the team to settle in with their new skipper in a short three-game road trip to South Florida before returning home for a Fourth of July weekend with the Atlanta Braves.

Jeff Christian is a freelance columnist which appears in The News & Messenger each Sunday. He can be reached at christianjeff@rocketmail.com.