TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Mike Oczypok threw seven shutout innings and Alabama eliminated Savannah State 3-2 in NCAA tournament play on Saturday.
The Crimson Tide (35-27) will meet the winner of Saturday’s winner’s bracket game between Troy (Ala.) and host Florida State.
Oczypok, who didn’t make the team a year ago as a freshman, was bothered by a blister, but didn’t allow a run. He gave up six hits, struck out four and walked one.
Savannah State (32-23) made it 3-2 in the eighth off reliever Tucker Hawley before the rally ended when pinch-runner Jason Wynn was thrown out trying to score on a squeeze bunt. Ray Castillo pitched a scoreless ninth for his 12th save.
Kenny Roberts led Alabama with two doubles and a single. Austen Smith had an RBI double, and Brett Booth and Georgie Salem knocked in the other Crimson Tide runs.
