ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - John Norwood's home run in the top of the eighth inning gave
Vanderbilt the lead, and the Commodores beat Virginia 3-2 on Wednesday night for their first national championship.
Norwood turned on Nick Howard's 97 mph fastball and sent it into the left field bullpen to break a 2-2 tie in the third and deciding game of the College World Series finals.
It was Norwood's third homer of the year, his first since April 19, and Vanderbilt's first since May 16. It also was only the third home run in 16 CWS games and the 22nd in 72 games by the Commodores (51-21).
The Cavaliers (53-16) loaded the bases with one out in the eighth when Adam Ravenelle hit Kenny Towns. But Mike Papi was forced out at home on a chopper to Ravenelle, and Brandon Downes grounded out.
At TD Ameritrade Park Omaha
Omaha, Neb.
Double Elimination
Saturday, June 14
UC Irvine 3, Texas 1
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Vanderbilt 5
, Louisville 3
Sunday, June 15
TCU 3, Texas Tech 2
Virginia 2, Mississippi 1
Monday, June 16
Texas 4, Louisville 1, Louisville eliminated
Vanderbilt
6, UC Irvine 4
Tuesday, June 17
Mississippi 2, Texas Tech 1, Texas Tech eliminated
Virginia 3, TCU 2, 15 innings
Wednesday, June 18
Texas 1, UC Irvine 0, UC Irvine eliminated
Thursday, June 19
Mississippi 6, TCU 4, TCU eliminated
Friday, June 20
Texas 4,
Vanderbilt
0
Virginia 0, Mississippi 0, top 2nd, susp., lightning
Saturday, June 21
Virginia 4, Mississippi 1, Mississippi eliminated
Vanderbilt
4, Texas 3, 10 innings, Texas eliminated
Championship Series
All Times EDT
(Best-of-3)
Monday, June 23:
Vanderbilt
9, Virginia 8
Tuesday, June 24: Virginia 7,
Vanderbilt
2
Wednesday, June 25:
Vanderbilt
3, Virginia 2,
Vanderbilt
wins championship 2-1