June 16, 2007

Stadium works just fine for coaches
Talk of building a new Rosenblatt Stadium in downtown Omaha is usually dismissed.
By JANIS CARR
The Orange County Register

OMAHA, Neb.There's talk of building a new, shiny, complete-with-luxury-suites Rosenblatt Stadium downtown here, where several empty buildings stand.

It's a subject that has struck a nerve with the coaches at the College World Series.

Cal State Fullerton coach George Horton said it would be sad "to see it move from this piece of property."

Added Horton: "This stadium on the hill — we've all grown up with this dream in mind, this goal in mind, this vision in mind."

Rosenblatt Stadium, built in 1948, has played host to the College World Series since 1950 and has undergone $35 million in upgrades, including a high-tech scoreboard, additional seating and a row of suites. But that hasn't stopped the chatter for a new stadium.

"This piece of property is very, very special," Horton said. "If things can be fixed, and if the NCAA and the city of Omaha can accomplish everything they want to here, then I say keep it right here. It's not broke. In fact, it's almost perfect."

Mississippi State coach Ron Polk would like the stadium to stay put, but if it would improve the College World Series, he wouldn't object to moving the event.

"If it helps college baseball and the city of Omaha feels like it's a good move, then I don't think anyone has a problem moving it," Polk said. "I don't think anyone wants to see this place go. I know they want to make some improvements to the surrounding areas and the concourses and the bathrooms. Well, let them try to do that, and see if they can get that done.

"The stadium on the hill is college baseball. Let's see if we can fix it up."

TOUGH COMPARISION

When UC Irvine right-hander Scott Gorgen takes the mound in today's game against Arizona State, he knows his coach is expecting big things from him. How big?

Serrano has compared Gorgen (12-2) to former Cal State Fullerton ace Jason Windsor, who pitched the Titans to the 2004 College World Series title. Windsor tossed 322 pitches in nine days and was voted the series' Most Valuable Player.

"That's the highest honor you could probably receive, especially knowing what he did in 2004," Gorgen said Friday.

"To compare me to Jason Windsor and what Jason accomplished here, it's a great honor."

Gorgen, who has given up one run in his past 37 innings, has thrown six complete games, including four in a row. But the sophomore said he doesn't feel extra pressure to repeat Windsor's feats.

"I'm just going to pitch my game, the same game I've pitched all year," Gorgen said. "It's gotten us here. I'm gong to keep throwing my game and what he (Serrano) calls. I trust him 100 percent."

NOT OVERACHIEVERS

Louisville coach Dan McDonnell doesn't buy into the "underdog" label. He said that's fine for the media, but he doesn't believe his team is anything but winners.

"Our program is full of achievers," McDonnell said. "We don't use the word over. We have had a good year … and for us it is more about the process and preparing to play well."

The Cardinals played well Friday until they surrendered six runs in the ninth to top-ranked Rice, which came from behind to win the first game of the CWS, 15-10.