Pair of Dodgers draft picks clash in College World Series

Well, they certainly know each other. Here’s hoping two of the Dodgers’ top draft picks don’t hold grudges.

Virginia’s 4-2 victory over Vanderbilt on Wednesday night to clinch the College World Series was full of future Dodgers. Top pick Walker Buehler started on Vanderbilt’s side, and second-round selection Josh Sborz was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament.

Buehler only lasted three innings Wednesday, surrendering two runs on three hits to go with four walks. He did not take the loss, however. That went to sophomore John Kilichowski, who gave up one run in one and a third innings.

Before that, Buehler had pitched just four days ago against TCU, going 6 2/3 innings and allowing four hits. The turnaround was shorter than Buehler is used to, which caused Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin to not immediately declare him the starter following game two.

Sborz, on the other hand, had a sterling series, coming in the fifth inning of a scoreless tie in game two and pitching four shutout innings to force a decisive rubber match. The appearance capped a trip to Omaha in which he pitched more like the hard-throwing righty the Dodgers were hoping for than the inconsistent hurler Virginia dealt with in the regular season. He threw 19 innings in the tourney and allowed just one unearned run, collecting four wins and three saves.

With Virginia’s win, Sborz and Buehler can at least say they’re even. Last year, it was the Commodores who topped the Cavaliers in three games for the NCAA title.

Before the series, Dodgers director of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino indicated all draftees who played in Omaha would have a few weeks off before reporting for assignment.