OMAHA–Alex White might just earn himself CWS Most Outstanding Player honors even if North Carolina loses tonight.

After Fresno State loaded the bases with one out against an erratic Rob Wooten in the fifth, White came in for the third straight night to face red-hot Fresno leadoff man Danny Muno. White threw five straight fastballs–three balls to run the count to 3-0, then a strike, and then another that Muno grounded softly to second base for an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play. Another missed opportunity for Fresno State to break this game open.

In last night’s postgame press conference, White sat at the podium with an ice pack tied to his shoulder and boldly said he’d be ready to pitch again Sunday. Coach Mike Fox laughed nervously and said they’d just have to wait and see. If White remains in the game–and there’s no action in the UNC pen–keep an eye on his command. Wooten struggled to find the strike zone in the fifth, a clear sign of fatigue. And Wooten is far more accustomed to throwing three days in a row than White.

NCAA Blog Central.