After suffering opening day losses on Saturday, three-seed North Carolina and seven-seed Texas look to avoid early exits when they face-off Monday (2 PM ET, ESPN) in the first elimination game of the 2011 Men's College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb.
Oddsmakers at most offshore sports shops list the Tar Heels as -155 CWS Odds favorites over the Longhorns with a combined game total (over/under) of 7 1/2. Run-line prices show Texas backers at +1 1/2 giving -165 ($165 to win $100) while North Carolina at – 1 1/2 getting +135 ($100 bet to win $135).
Texas and North Carolina, two tradition rich college baseball programs, have never met on the diamond. Texas enters the game with a 49-18 record on the season having won the Austin Regional by going 4-1 with a win against Princeton and three against Kent State.
The Longhorns advanced to the CWS by winning two out of three games against Arizona State in the Austin Super Regional. Texas dropped its opening game of the CWS, 8-4, Saturday night against No. 2 seed Florida.
North Carolina will will pin its hopes on a freshman, left-hand pitcher Kent Emanuel, who will toe the rubber looking to extend the Tar Heels lives in the tournament. Texas will go with experience in this one by countering with a senior, right-hander Cole Green who is 8-3 with a 3.03 ERA.
Updated CWS Odds to win Bracket One
Florida -105
Vanderbilt -105
North Carolina -1000
Texas -1500
