June 19, 2007

Irvine Holds on in Longest Series Game

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OMAHA, June 18 (AP) — Bryan Petersen ended the longest game in College World Series history with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the 13th inning, giving California-Irvine a 5-4 victory Monday against Cal State Fullerton in an elimination game.

The 5-hour-40-minute game beat the old Series mark by 40 minutes.

Petersen’s winning hit came after Fullerton left fielder Josh Fellhauer threw out Taylor Holiday at home plate.

California-Irvine (46-16-1), making its first Series appearance, advances to a game Tuesday against the loser of Monday night’s game between Arizona State and Oregon State. Fullerton (38-25) went two games and out at the series for the first time in nine appearances since 1990.

Despite making six errors, California-Irvine came back three times to tie the score before taking the lead in a tense 13th, in which Fullerton Coach George Horton was ejected for arguing a hit-batsman call. There were eight hit batters in the game.

The previous longest game was in 1981, when Oklahoma State needed five hours to defeat Arizona State, 11-10, in 13 innings.

Oregon State defeated fifth-ranked Arizona State, 12-6, in the delayed second game.

Beavers left fielder Mike Lissman drove in four runs, including a three-run homer in the second inning. Second baseman Joey Wong also drove in three runs.