Following upset wins for third-seeded Miami over second-seed Alabama and fourth-seeded Columbia over regional top seed and host Southern Mississippi, the Hurricanes and Lions will play on Saturday with a berth in the Hattiesburg Regional Final on Sunday at stake.
Miami took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a Daniel Cuvet home run, extended the lead to 4-0 and had to hold on as Alabama flew out to the warning track for the last out with two runners on as the Hurricanes survived by feet if not inches to advance to the winner bracket in Hattiesburg.
Columbia extended a 2-1 lead with a four-run fourth inning, added two in the eighth and three in the ninth to upset Southern Mississippi 11-4. Hunter Snyder had four hits in five at-bats with three runs scored at the top of the order and Owen Eastbrook was 3-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs at the bottom for Columbia.
Columbia used three pitchers on Friday. A.J. Ciscar pitched seven innings on Friday for Miami. Carson Fishcer and Rob Evans pitched in the eighth and Brian Walters closed the game in the ninth for the win. Miami got Derek Williams back on Friday. Williams had one hit in three at-bats.
Columbia versus Miami pitchers
Thomas Santana (5-3, 5.43 Earned Run Average) projects as the likely starter for Columbia against Griffin Hugus (5-7, 4.22 ERA) for Miami.
Columbia versus Miami Game Time and TV
Columbia and Miami will be in prime time with an 8 PM first pitch. Columbia versus Miami will at least be on ESPN+. NCAA Tournament games on the linear ESPN networks have not been announced yet.
Columbia versus Miami all-time series
Miami leads the all-time series 4-2. All six of the previous games between Columbia and Miami were played in Coral Gables. Columbia beat Miami 4-2 in the game between the two in 2019. Saturday is the fourth time Miami will play Columbia in the NCAA Tournament. Miami won two out of three versus Columbia in the 2015 NCAA Tournament.