College World Series News

College World Series

While the 19-year-old left-hander talked, a nearby television showed the CWS's first elimination game, one that should have offered positive karma to Cal and Porter. North Carolina was advancing behind freshman left-hander Kent Emanuel's 3-0 victory over Texas.

Cal coach David Esquer's admiration of Porter stretches back to the recruiting trail, when Porter flashed his stuff at Oak Ridge High in El Dorado Hills.

No one got a hit, scored a run or reached base off Porter on April 19, 2010. "I didn't really feel any pressure doing that," Porter recalled. Previously a bullpen specialist, Porter (5-0, 1.59 ERA) is now Cal's go-to left-hander since Justin Jones strained his throwing arm in a June 11 super-regional win over Dallas Baptist.

"He's been nails," shortstop Marcus Semien said of Porter. Added Cal closer Matt Flemer: "He's a bulldog. Since Porter is a Giants fan, here's another pitcher worth comparing him to: Madison Bumgarner, who stunningly bolstered the World Series run last season.

Like all his teammates, Porter found himself in life-altering limbo before baseball's April 8 reinstatement. I'm a planner," Porter said.

"I don't plan on going home (Tuesday)," Porter said.

Cal coach David Esquer's admiration of Porter stretches back to the recruiting trail, when Porter flashed his stuff at Oak Ridge High in El Dorado Hills.

I'm a planner," Porter said.

Omaha, Neb. -- Cal left-hander Kyle Porter has a 5-0 record and a 1.59 ERA. The freshman threw 6 2/3 innings of three-hit ball in an 8-0 win over Baylor in the Houston Regional.

Cal head coach David Esquer said he saw in Porter "a fearlessness, almost bordering on a positive arrogance."

Anderson might get his shot if Porter struggles, Esquer said.

Esquer said Renda might play his normal second-base spot with either of two left-handed hitters at designated hitter: Vince Bruno or little-used freshman Michael Theofanopoulos, against Aggies right-hander Michael Wacha (9-3, 2.12 ERA).