The double-elimination format of the 2012 College World Series means the first day of play inside its labyrinthine bracket isn't quite so dramatic as it is in other college sports. But with Friday's games in the books and Saturday's on the way, the updated bracket begins to look a little more dangerous for teams like Florida State, who lost to Arizona in extra innings. Stony Brook, the surprise story of the tournament, joins James Ramsey and company in an elimination matchup Sunday at 4 PM CDT. The winners of those Bracket 1 matches, UCLA and Arizona, play Sunday at eight, with one win separating that game's winner from the Championship Finals.
Saturday night play begins in Bracket 2, with Kent State and Arkansas playing at 4 PM CDT and South Carolina and Florida going at 8 PM. Both games will be on ESPN.
If you're looking for Cardinals prospects, they'll have 2012 MLB Draft picks playing in both of Sunday's games. James Ramsey, the No. 23 overall pick in the draft, is at the center of Florida State's batting order, while Alex Mejia starts at shortstop for Arizona and was chosen in the fourth round. (Kurt Heyer, Arizona's ace, is also a Cardinals draft pick; he went nearly eight innings in their win Friday.)
More 2012 CWS coverage from SB Nation St. Louis:
- Ramsey went 1-3 with two walks in the Seminoles' loss.
- His low bonus demands allowed the Cardinals to sign second-rounder Carson Kelly.