VIRGINIA (51-14)
Pitcher: Josh Sborz (5-4, 3.04 ERA, 67 strikeouts)
Top hitters: IB Mike Papi (.312, 11 2Bs, 11 HRs, 56 RBIs); 2B Branden Cogswell (.302,112Bs, 0 HRs, 21 RBIs); RFJoe McCarthy (.296, 14 2Bs, 6 HRs, 47 RBIs); 3B Kenny Towns (.275,14 2Bs, 2 HRs, 33 RBIs)
How they got here: Cavaliers took control of Bracket Two by posting walk-off wins in their first two games. Papi's RBI double gave Virginia a 2-1 win over Mississippi in its opening game, and Daniel Pinero's sacrifice fly ended a 3-2, 15-inning thriller against Texas Christian in the second game.
Trends: Virginia brings a string of 13 shutout innings into Friday night's game as Texas Christian scored both of its runs in the second inning. Nick Howard, Whit Mayberry and Artie Lewicki have allowed just three hits and no runs in 10 innings in Omaha. In 26 innings in NCAA play, Virginia relievers have allowed just three runs for an ERA of 1.04.
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Virginia will win if: The Cavaliers continue to mix good fortune with their considerable skill sets. Virginia also caught a couple of breaks in its first games, making for a dangerous mix for any foe.
MISSISSIPPI (48-20)
Pitcher: TBA
Top hitters: C Will Allen (.341, 24 2Bs, 7 HRs, 64 RBIs); CF Auston Bousfield (.339,18 2Bs, 6 HRs, 50 RBIs, 19 SBs); 3B Austin Anderson (.323,18 2Bs, 5 HRs, 41 RBIs, 10 SBs); DH J.B. Woodman (.298, 2 HRs, 20 RBIs).
How they got here: Rebels have bounced back from last-pitch loss to Virginia in the opening game with victories to eliminate Texas Tech and Texas Christian.
Trends: After getting just six hits in their first two CWS games, Mississippi pounded out 11, including four doubles, in Thursday's game against the Horned Frogs. Allen and Sikes Orvis combined to go 6 for 10 on Thursday with five RBIs.
Mississippi will win if: The Rebels continue to show grit. Mississippi refused to fold after a 3-0 lead against the Horned Frogs turned into a 3-3 game.
— Steven Pivovar
