BC rallies to win with six in the ninth

Turns out the Boston College baseball team isn't just happy to have earned it's first NCAA regional berth in 37 years. After today's thrilling victory, the Eagles may have some intentions of sticking around a while.

The Eagles scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning today to surprise Texas State, 8-7, in today's regional opener in Austin, Tex. Boston College (34-24) overcame a 5-2 deficit in the top of the ninth, then held on in the bottom half after Texas State (41-16) plated a pair of runs and put the tying run on second.

The Eagles started the ninth with five straight hits, including John Spatola's three-homer that gave BC a 6-5 lead. The Eagles sent 11 batters to the plate in the inning

Mike Sudol drove in the first run in the ninth, cutting the Texas State lead to 5-3 following a pair of singles by Barry Butera and Andrew Lawrence.

Then Spatola delivered the big blow, a three-run homer on a 1-1 pitch from Texas State losing pitcher Mike Russo.

After an Robbie Anston single, Tony Sanchez doubled him home, making it 7-5. Mike Belfiore's RBI single provided the eighth -- and as it turned out, winning -- run.

Chris Kowalski earned the win in relief for the Eagles, striking out one in one inning of work. Belfiore, a pitcher/first baseman, earned his ninth save of the season, allowing three baserunners in the ninth -- including a home run to Paul Goldschmidt -- but striking out Lance Loftin on a full count to end it.

The Eagles advance to the winners' bracket, where they will face the winner of tonight's Texas-Army matchup tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The Longhorns are the host of the regional and the No. 1 overall seed in tournament.