Fans of all shapes and sizes climbed into TD Ameritrade Park Tuesday as the NCAA College World Series continued.
Arizona faced off against Coastal Carolina, who desperately needed a win to keep their title hopes alive.
“There's something special about the team ever since this year,” said Kyle Plasky, who drove with his family from Connecticut to cheer on his college team. “I’m a big baseball fan,” he said.
Coastal Carolina is considered the “Cinderella Team” of the tournament. The Plaskys said that is why they just arrived Monday for the series.
“I’ve got the hotel for one more night. We want to say for another night, no question about it!” exclaimed his father, Ron Plasky.
Meantime Arizona fans lined up with their own high hopes.
“Tonight feels good! I will look little confidence but as you know there’s always a little trepidation here and there,” said Ron Grant, who came to Omaha from Tucson to cheer on his Arizona Wildcats.
He was joined by Cullen Magariel, who proudly displayed an Arizona tattoo on his leg.
“They’re [Coastal Carolina] the Cinderella so the team may show up there a good hitting team it'll be tough, but we are the hottest team in college baseball,” Magariel said.
As fans mulled about, baseball celebrities also filed into the stadium like Laurence, Leavy, better known as Marlin’s man, in town for a special event with the Omaha Storm Chasers. He sat in the front row—his first time at TD Ameritrade Park--rooting for a Coastal Carolina wins to force a third game of the series.
“First row!” he said. “That's where Marlins man goes. That's where you'll find me!”
But one Omahan stole the show. The “CWS stare down kid” known to his family as 10-year-old Sammy DiDonato sat behind the Arizona dugout, thanks to free tickets from Omaha ticket broker, Ticket Express, who stepped up with the sudden Internet sensation did not have tickets.
“Thanks for bringing so much joy to Omaha and nationwide!” said Jessica Freedman with Ticket Express.
Coastal Carolina topped Arizona 5-4. They two teams take on each other again Wednesday night.
