The 2013 NCAA Division I College World Series kicked off in Omaha, Nebraska on Saturday, June 15 and concluded 10 days later with an 8-0 UCLA win over Mississippi State to win the College World Series title. The title is the first for UCLA baseball, adding to the school’s total of 108 NCAA Division I Championship trophies. UCLA arrived at the championship series after a long month of regional and super-regional qualification tournaments; Mississippi State, University of North Carolina, North Carolina State, Louisiana State University, Oregon State, Louisville University, and Indiana University joined the Bruins as the final eight teams to travel to TD Ameritrade Park. Among the eight teams that qualified for the CWS were 54 Baseball Factory alumni.

Out of the 54 Factory alumni playing in the tournament, Jeff Turley, Trent Chatterton, James Kaprielian, and Justin Hazard competed for the winning UCLA Bruins. Kaprielian was solid on the mound for the Bruins throughout the tournament. Kaprielian appeared as a middle reliever in three games. He pitched a total of 3.0 innings, did not allow a hit or a run throughout the tournament, and pitched the crucial seventh inning in the first game of the CWS final against Mississippi State. Kaprielian participated in Baseball Factory’s Player Development Program as a high school prospect.

Another standout Factory alumnus that proved to be solid on the mound in late innings was Mississippi State closer Jonathan Holder. Holder was a major part of the Bulldogs surprise run to the finals, appearing in four of Mississippi State’s five games. In his first three trips to the mound, Holder pitched 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit and no earned runs. He earned the save in all three of these wins. Holder also pitched four innings in the final game of the tournament.

Fellow Bulldog teammates Adam Frazier and Wes Rae were also major contributors for Mississippi State. Shortstop Adam Frazier hit leadoff, while Rae hit fifth and played first for the Bulldogs in all five of their CWS games. The duo combined for 11 hits, 4 runs scored, and 3 RBI’s. Frazier and Rae both attended the Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryout, and Frazier also participated in the Premium Video Program. Holder, Frazier, and Rae were just three of the 14 Baseball Factory players on the Mississippi State Bulldogs roster this season.

A very exciting player in this year’s CWS was top ranked UNC star shortstop Landon Lassiter. Lassiter served as the Tar Heels DH in the tournament, but was still a major contributor. In UNC’s nail-biting elimination loss to UCLA, Lassiter picked up three crucial hits for the Tar Heels. Lassiter started 67 of 69 games for UNC this year, finishing second on the team with a .358 batting average. The young star is only a freshman and UNC is certainly excited about his future.

One of the most exciting games of the entire CWS was an opening matchup between UCLA and LSU. Although LSU fell 2-1, seven Baseball Factory alumni played in the game, including LSU starting pitcher Aaron Nola. Nola pitched 8.0 outstanding innings, allowing just five hits and two runs. Nola attended an Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryout & Team One Showcase as a high school standout.

We’d like to congratulate all 54 Baseball Factory players on their outstanding seasons. For a full list of Baseball Factory alumni who played in the 2013 CWS, please click here.