Vanderbilt press conference after loss to NC State
Vanderbilt's trip to Omaha hasn’t been as smooth as its title-winning effort in 2019. The Commodores snuck out a 7-6 win against Arizona in 12 innings Saturday, then lost 1-0 to NC State Monday.
But coming off his team’s first scoreless game of the year and facing elimination, coach Tim Corbin’s confidence isn’t shaken.
Now Vandy faces Stanford, which also lost to NC State in its opening game but rebounded with a 14-5 victory against Arizona.
“We just got more free baseball. That's fine,” Corbin said. “And what happens is more people get pulled into the fray, which is good. Brought 27 people. We're going to have to use them.”
Vanderbilt has reasons to be optimistic.
In the loss, All-American Jack Leiter went the distance, allowing four hits and striking out 15. The lone run was a leadoff homer in the bottom of the fifth.
“(Leiter) did everything he could to put his team in great position,” Corbin said. “One pitch, one pitch. You know? It sucks. But it's what it is.”
Leiter’s performance not only impacted the game, but he “preserved” the rest of the pitching staff.
And pitching will be important for the Commodores, who have now used their two top pitchers, Leiter and Kumar Rocker. Corbin said there’s no “obvious choice” when asked about freshman Patrick Reilly getting the start Wednesday.
Reilly (4-2) has the fifth-most starts on the team with seven, and four of those have come since May. Another candidate is 17-year-old Christian Little (3-1), who has started nine games but hasn’t pitched in nearly a month.
There's also sophomore Thomas Schultz (4-2). Schultz has made nine starts, but the last came May 11 and his past two appearances came out of the bullpen.
Whoever it is, Leiter wasn’t worried much about the rest of the staff and team.
“I think it's kind of back to the basics, relax a little bit, have some fun,” Leiter said. “It's pretty cool, 20,000-plus people watching us play a game. And I think that in its own should let us relax a little bit, have some fun and kind of just play the game, see what happens.”
Stanford, on the other hand, is going all out in its second straight elimination game. Cardinal coach David Esquer said he’ll “use everyone” to try to get the win. And that was before he knew who the next opponent would be.
“I think we're just going to kitchen sink it on the next game, throw everything at them, try to match up for nine innings the best we can,” he said.
Esquer also wants his team to play “free and courageous,” and they can accept whatever the results are.
Stanford is in its first CWS since 2008 while Corbin’s confidence comes from his prior experience, having made it to the CWS five times since the event moved to TD Ameritrade Park.
“We've been in situations like this before,” Corbin said. “And we've played tough baseball and we do have a resilient group. And you need to be when you come here.”
Photos: College World Series Tuesday June 22
Texas' Tanner Witt (11) gives the hook 'em horns to the crowd following the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Texas' Mike Antico (5) watches the play in the outfield after crashing into Tennessee's Liam Spence (4) at second in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Texas' Mike Antico (5) runs to third after crashing into Tennessee's Liam Spence (4) at second in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Peyton Manning, center, watches his alma mater, Tennessee, compete in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Tennessee's Drew Gilbert (1) slides safely back to first, past Texas' Zach Zubia (52), after being caught trying to steal second in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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The Tennessee dugout watches their team warm up before the start of the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Texas' Eric Kennedy (30) rounds the bases on a homer in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Texas fans watch the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Tennessee's Drew Gilbert (1) crosses home plate and celebrates with teammate Pete Derkay (10) in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Tennessee fans Jeff Vincent, facing, of Knoxville, Tenn., and Norbert Searfoss, of Greenback, Tenn., high five after a play in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Texas' Tristan Stevens (35) pitches in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Tennessee's Max Ferguson (2) bats in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Texas' Eric Kennedy (30) makes a catch for an out in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Tennessee's Blade Tidwell (29) pitches in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Texas' Cam Williams (55) bats in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Fans reach out for a foul ball in the stands during the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Tennessee fans celebrate a play in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Texas' Mitchell Daly (19) bunts the ball in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday.
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Texas' Mike Antico (5) slides safely back to first, past Tennessee's Luc Lipcius (40), after being caught trying to steal second in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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The Tennessee dugout watches the final inning of the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Texas' Tanner Witt (11) pitches in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Jake Griffey, of Carter Lake, Iowa, cheers on Texas during the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Tennessee's Redmond Walsh (46) pitches in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Texas' Eric Kennedy (30) races to third in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Texas' Eric Kennedy (30) slides into third in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Texas' Tanner Witt (11) pitches in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Tennessee's Pete Derkay (10) walks to the dugout in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Raul Melendez, of El Paso, Tex., carries. Longhorns flag through the crowd during the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Texas' Mike Antico (5) makes a play in the outfield in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Tennessee's Camden Sewell (16) pitches in the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Texas' Tanner Witt (11) and Silas Ardoin (4) high five following the Tennessee vs. Texas College World Series baseball elimination game in Omaha on Tuesday. Texas won the game 8-4.
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Texas takes the field as a fans throw the horns up ahead of a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee's Jordan Beck celebrates after hitting a double against Texas during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Trey Faltine lays down a sac bunt against Tennessee during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Eric Kennedy drills a home run against Tennessee's during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Eric Kennedy throws the hook em horns up near Tennessee's Jake Rucker after hitting a home run during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Eric Kennedy is greeted after hitting a home run against Tennessee during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Silas Ardoin throws to first base to complete a double play after forcing out Tennessee's Liam Spence during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Mike Antico steals second base as Tennessee's Liam Spence tries to knock down a throw during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Trey Faltine forces out Tennessee's Liam Spence to start a double play during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee's Tony Vitello questions an umpire after assistant coach Ross Kivett was ejected during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello and assistant coach Frank Anderson chat with the umpire crew after assistant coach Ross Kivett was ejected during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee assistant Ross Kivett (23) is held back after getting ejected as head coach Tony Vitello and assistant coach Frank Anderson look on during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello and assistant coach Frank Anderson chat with the umpire crew after assistant coach Ross Kivett was ejected during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Douglas Hodo III slides into home as Tennessee's Connor Pavolony tries to get a tag down during a College World Series game on Tuesday. Hodo was called safe on the play.
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Texas' Douglas Hodo III slides into home as Tennessee's Connor Pavolony tries to get a tag down during a College World Series game on Tuesday. Hodo was called safe on the play.
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Tennessee catcher Connor Pavolony looks at home plate umpire Jeff Macias after Texas' Douglas Hodo III was called safe during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee’s Kirby Connell and Camden Sewell hug after a season ending loss to Texas in a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee players react after a season ending loss to Texas in a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello walks off the field after a season ending loss to Texas in a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State’s Christian MacLeod throws a pitch against Virginia during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Virginia's Griff McGarry throws a pitch against Mississippi State during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Virginia's Chris Newell connects for a RBI double against Mississippi State during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Virginia's Jake Gelof comes home to score against Mississippi State during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Virginia's Chris Newell comes home to score as Mississippi State's Christian MacLeod looks on during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Virginia's Zack Gelof is greeted after scoring against Mississippi State during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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A member of the grounds crew collects two beach balls during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Storm clouds loom over TD Ameritrade Park during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Clif McInnis watches Mississippi State take on Virginia during a College World Series game on Tuesday. McInnis has been a Mississippi State fan since about 1963, or "when I first became aware of the game of baseball," he said.
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Megan Dorantes of Kansas City, Kan., does the wave during her first College World Series game between Virginia and Mississippi State on Tuesday.
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A child hits a beach ball into the outfield crowd during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Children attempt to catch a ball thrown to them between innings during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee's Liam Spence throws a ball to first base during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Tanner Witt pitches against Tennessee during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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A Texas fan holds up their horns after Taxes scores against Tennessee during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Fans watch Texas and Tennessee play during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee's Trey Lipscomb scores against Texas during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee fans cheer after their team scores against Texas during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Mitchell Daly steals second base as Tennessee's Max Ferguson looks to catch a ball during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Tennessee fans cheer between innings against Texas during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Texas' Mitchell Daly looks to the umpire after sliding into home and being called safe against Tennessee during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Virginia's Kyle Teel slides into first base as Mississippi State's Luke Hancock waits for the throw in the second inning during day four of the College World Series on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State fan Michaela Tolleson watches as the Bulldogs take the lead over Virginia during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Virginia’s Chris Newell slides into second base as a throw gets past Scotty Dubrule during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Tanner Allen runs into the wall as the ball lands in the stands during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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The Mississippi State dugout reacts as Josh Hatcher is safe at first base against Virginia during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Rowdey Jordan heads to second base against Virginia during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Tanner Allen drills a three-run home run to take the lead over Virginia during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Tanner Allen celebrates after hitting a three-run home run to take the lead over Virginia during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Tanner Allen(5) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run to take the lead over Virginia during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Brayland Skinner leaps as a home from Virginia's Chris Newell clears the left field fence during the eighth inning of a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Virginia's Chris Newell celebrates an eight inning home run against Mississippi State during a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State close Landon Sims is greeted after closing out a win over Virginia in a College World Series game on Tuesday.
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Virginia's Kyle Teel slides into first base as Mississippi State's Luke Hancock waits for the throw in the second inning during day four of the College World Series on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Tanner Allen hits a three-run homer off of Virginia's Stephen Schoch in the eighth inning during day four of the College World Series on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Kamren James dives into a photo well catching a foul by off the bat of Virginia's Kyle Teel to end the sixth inning during day four of the College World Series on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Tanner Allen celebrates his three-run homer off of Virginia's Stephen Schoch in the eighth inning during day four of the College World Series on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Tanner Allen congratulated bystanders his team for his three-run homer off of Virginia's Stephen Schoch in the eighth inning during day four of the College World Series on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State's Tanner Allen gets hit by a pitch from Virginia's Nate Savino in the ninth inning during day four of the College World Series on Tuesday.
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Mississippi State fans line up before their game against Virginia for the College World Series on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
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Mississippi State's Tanner Allen, left, celebrates his three run home run in the eighth inning with KC Hunt during a College World Series game on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Allen's home run gave Mississippi State a 5-4 lead over Virginia.
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An Oklahoma Joe's hat sits on the roof of TD Ameritrade during a College World Series game on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
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Mississippi State's Tanner Allen attempts to catch a foul ball during a College World Series game on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
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Virginia's Zack Gelof celebrates after hitting a double in the second inning during a College World Series game on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
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Umpires Ramon Armendariz and Travis Katzenmeier discuss a play with Virginia Head Coach Brian O'Connor during a College World Series game on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
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Mississippi State's Scotty Dubrule tags out Virginia's Jake Gelof at second base during a College World Series game on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
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Amber Jackson helps her daughter, Rowan Jackson pour syrup on her snow cone during a College World Series game on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
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