Nebraska played well, but its pitching staff was worn down from heavy use through three games and ASU took advantage.

"They were throwing their number three and we were going down the line," said Nebraska coach Mike Anderson of the pitching situation. "Obviously, that's why a regional is set up this way. It's set up for the team that wins both games to have the advantage. I wouldn't have it any other way... They've got a lot of left-hand hitters that can flat-out hit. They're very deserving of the number one seed and very deserving to be a top five team in the country."

And that's pretty much what it boiled down to. Nebraska doesn't have the pitching to contain the ASU bats to begin with. After running seven-deep in the bullpen for three straight days, they didn't stand a chance.

ASU advances to host Ole Miss next week in what could be a great Super Regional series. Meanwhile, pinch hitter C.J. Retherford gets to bask in the glory of his grand slam that put Nebraska away for a couple of days.

"I wasn't even trying to hit a home run," Retherford said. "I was trying to hit it to right center field. But (ASU Coach Pat Murphy) told me to shorten up and try to hit it to right field."

That he did.

Releford seems like a good place to leave, so I'm going across the street to have a nightcap at The Tavern on the Mill. I'll post the Tempe Regional All-Tournament Team and I'm out.

MOP- ASU Pitcher Matt Leake
Outfield- ASU's Ike Davis
Outfield- Nebraska's Andy Gerch
Outfield- Tie: UCR's Carl Uhl and Monmouth's Kyle Messineo
Pitcher- ASU's Mike Leake
Pitcher- ASU's Brian Flores
DH- ASU's Kiel Roling
1B- Nebraska's Andrew Brown
2B- ASU's Eric Sogard
3B- Nebraska's Craig Corriston
SS- ASU's Andrew Romine
C ASU's Petey Paramore