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Gamecocks Repeat As National Champs…

CWS Championship Game: South Carolina 5-10-0 def. Florida 2-6-1
Final Stats | SC Recap | FL Recap

Head coach Ray Tanner talks with the media Tuesday after his team won a second straight national title.

The South Carolina baseball team beat Florida 5-2 on Tuesday in Omaha to win a second straight national championship at the College World Series. If you want a recap you can click one of the above links, but in the meantime here’s the Cliff’s Notes version on how the Gamecocks marched through Omaha with five wins and no losses over the last 11 days.

Lean-in close and I’ll tell you how:  They’re just that good.

It’s just that simple. Ray Tanner‘s Gamecocks have now won a record 16 consecutive NCAA Tournament games. They haven’t always made it look easy, but they just get the job done every time they hit the field.

If the Gamecocks were an automobile they would be a Ford pick-up. Just pile-in and get from point A to point B. No frills, no spills just get the job done.

South Carolina (55-14) didn’t even bat .300 as a team this year (a lot of teams didn’t, there are new bat standards that dropped run production this year if you hadn’t heard). Their 46 home runs weren’t even close to one a game (Peter Mooney‘s 6th inning home run was South Carolina’s only HR at the College World Series), they don’t steal a lot of bases (41), and their “small ball” percentage (67 sac bunts) isn’t off the charts either.

Gamecocks ace Michael Roth has dominated in Omaha for the last two years.

The two-time champs put three runs on the board in the third inning in Tuesday’s deciding game in dizzyingly unspectacular fashion: Double, sac bunt, walk, sac fly, error, infield single. Just like that it was 3-0, and it might as well have been 9-0 with Michael Roth on the mound for USC.

Ah, Michael Roth. The South Carolina lefty is the epitome of both a very good college baseball player and of why the SEC is just better than every other conference all at once.

Remember last year when Roth made his first two starts of the season in Omaha after exclusively coming out of the bullpen 37 times prior? His only starts were a necessity after South Carolina lost its 2010 College World Series opener to Oklahoma and then fought its way out of the loser’s bracket to reach the CWS Finals.

Roth first faced his school’s biggest rival, Clemson, on the games grandest stage and fired a complete game to stave-off elimination and eventually advance to the finals. He started again in the deciding championship game, which the Gamecocks won 2-1 in 11 innings.

Roth’s numbers in those two starts: 14.0 innings, 9 hits, 2 runs, 3 BB, and 7 Ks. That’s from a guy who was a set-up man all season. That’s why the SEC is just better than any other conference. Arms like Roth’s are pitching the 7th and 8th innings in the SEC when they could be starters in any other conference. Roth now has a 1.17 ERA in 38 1/3 career innings at the CWS.

It wasn’t over for Roth there though. With 2010 ace Blake Cooper gone, Roth didn’t just join the SC weekend rotation this year-he fronted it…and then some. The dude had a 13-3 record and a sick 0.97 ERA entering Tuesday’s game, so surely the junior was an early round draft pick earlier this month, right?

Wrong.

Roth didn’t get selected until the 40th round when Cleveland made him the 938th overall pick in the draft. Meanwhile, Virginia’s Danny Hulzten and Florida’s Karsten Whitson, whom Roth matched-up against in his last two CWS starts, were first round picks this year and last year, respectively.

He’s the Jason Bourne of college baseball (the Matt Damon Bourne, not the one with the guy from The Hurt Locker). He just keeps showing-up and keeps on winning.

And so does South Carolina.

Scott Wingo receives his 2011 CWS Most Outstanding Player trophy.

Just as big a reason for their success (in addition to the steady hand of head coach Ray Tanner) is the Gamecocks’ defense. The closet thing that comes to mind to describe their defensive style is the Amoeba defense Jerry Tarkanian‘s UNLV basketball team used in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

South Carolina just suffocates opponents with defense. Second baseman (and CWS Most Outstanding Player) Scott Wingo ranging left on the grass (when he’s not rapping clutch hits), shortstop Peter Mooney charging in on a chopper, Adrian Morales guarding the hot corner, Christian Walker (broken wrist and all these last two games) scooping it all up, and then there’s Jackie Bradley, Jr. running balls down from centerfield.

That’s maybe the most remarkable thing about how South Carolina is where it stands right now. Bradley, the team’s verified superstar (the #40 overall MLB Draft pick by the Boston Red Sox), hadn’t even played since late April after requiring surgery on a tendon in his wrist, but the Gamecocks got back to Omaha (with five straight NCAA wins) without him.

The Most Outstanding Player Trophy is a replica of the Road To Omaha statue.

Bradley played in all five South Carolina wins in Omaha, but he was just another cog in the machinery-the Armour All on the tires of that big shiny pick-up truck.

In the words of the South Carolina players, they “battle”. It’s a word that came-up over and over in post game press conferences during the CWS. Roth even made fun of it at one point, saying they had worn it out, but that’s what the Gamecocks did. Roth and Tanner both said after Tuesday’s clincher that their team wasn’t the most talented, but their ability to battle is what got them where they are:

Two straight national championships, 16 straight NCAA Tournament wins and 11 straight wins at the College World Series.

In all, 11 Gamecocks were drafted earlier this month. Some may return next year, most will be gone.They’ll ride the buses in the minors once they sign their pro contracts, but odds are most of them will be lucky to get a cup of coffee in the Big Leagues.

Just like this year, South Carolina likely won’t be number one when the preseason polls come out in 2012, but don’t bet against them to make it back to Omaha for a chance at a three-peat.

They’re just that good.

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Click to enlarge!

Find everything you could possibly want in officially licensed College World Series gear at The Dugout – your one stop for the most officially licensed 2011 College World Series apparel!

The Dugout, located right across the street from the Road To Omaha statue outside TD Ameritrade Stadium. If you can’t make it to Omaha, simply follow this link to Dugouthats.com. You’ll save 20% on your order when you enter the coupon code CB360!

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Jackie Bradley, Jr. fires the ball into the outfield bleachers after making the catch to record the last out of the 2011 CWS.

Michael Roth and teammates hold the national championship trophy.

CWS MOP Scott Wingo

Click Here to see more Kirk Markus photos on the CB360 Shutterfly page!

 

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For the first time since mid-February, we are coming out of a weekend that featured no college baseball. A few days earlier, the season concluded in Omaha with South Carolina’s extra-inning victory over UCLA. CollegeBaseball360.com recently announced its latest edition of the Primetime Performer Honor Roll – with 14 players recognized for their clutch play during the 2010 College World Series.  (front-page photo courtesy of TCU)

South Carolina sophomore lefthander Michael Roth

A full tribute to the CWS Primetime Performers follows below, featuring headshots and action photos – along with expanded bio./accomplishment capsules – for each of the 14 players.

TCU senior catcher Bryan Holaday

Leading the way are TCU senior catcher Bryan Holaday (Dallas, Texas) and South Carolina sophomore lefthander Michael Roth (Greer, S.C.), the respective Primetime Player and Primetime Pitcher of the 2010 College World Series (as selected by CollegeCaseball360.com).

CLICK HERE for the CB360 Primetime Performer archive.

CLICK HERE for CWS team/players stats package (provided exclusively by CollegeBaseball360.com)

Roth is joined by four other South Carolina players on CB360’s 2010 CWS Primetime Performers Honor Roll: senior RHP Blake Cooper (Neeses, S.C.), sophomore centerfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. (Prince George, Va.), freshman first baseman Christian Walker (Limerick, Pa.) and fr./so. RH closer Matt Price (Sumter, S.C.). Holaday was one of three TCU players named to the Primetime team, along with sophomore shortstop Taylor Featherston (Katy, Texas) and freshman LHP Matt Purke (Spring, Texas).

UCLA – which finished as runner-up but had inconsistent performances from numerous individual players – is represented on the CWS Primetime Perforemrs list by freshman centerfielder Beau Amaral (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and sophomore righthanded strikeout machine Trevor Bauer (Valencia, Calif.). Two Oklahoma players – who both hail from the home state of rival Texas – also are Primetime honorees: sophomore catcher Tyler Ogle (San Antonio) and junior RHP Zach Neal (Flower Mound). Two other players round out the 2010 CWS Primetime Honor Roll: Florida State junior centerfielder Tyler Holt (who hails from Gainesville, site of rival University of Florida) and Clemson jr./so. third baseman John Hinson (Asheville, N.C.)

The CWS Primetime honorees include five starting pitchers (RHPs Cooper, Bauer and Neal; LHPs Roth and Purke), three centefielders (Bradley, Amaral and Holt) and a pair of catchers (Holaday and Ogle), plus the first baseman Walker, shortstop Featherson, third baseman Hinson and closer Price. The 14 selections feature the battle-tested seniors Holaday and Cooper, three juniors (Hinson, Holt & Neal), a group of six sophomore that includes several likely high draft picks in 2010 (Bradley, Bauer, Featherston, Ogle, Price and Roth), and the promising freshman trio of Amaral, Purke & Walker.

The honorees hail from seven different home states, led by five from Texas (the TCU and Oklahoma players) and three of the South Carolina players who are native sons (Cooper, Price & Roth), plus the UCLA duo (both in-state California products) and one each from Florida (Holt), North Carolina (Hinson), Pennsylvania (Walker) and Virginia (Bradley).

… ROTH rose to the occasion during four appearances at the 2010 College World Series, where he compiled a 1.10 ERA and answered the call with strong outings in his first two starts of the season (he also made only two starts as a freshman, in 2009). His most impressive appearance came in his first start, as the 6-1, 210-pound lefthander went the distance in 3-hit fashion to defeat in-state rival Clemson (5-1) – in what was SC’s third of four straight wins when facing elimination. Over the course of his 16.1 innings at the CWS, Roth limited the opposition to a .167 combined batting avg. (9 H) and had three times as many strikeouts (9) as walks (3, also 3 hit batters and 20 groundouts).

During his four appearances, Roth allowed 4-of-16 leadoff batters to reach base – but the opposition hit only 3-for-20 (.150) vs. him with runners on base and Roth closed out innings with near-perfect efficiency (limiting opponents to 1-for-17 hitting/.059 with 2-outs).

Roth’s first appearance came in relief of Blake Cooper, retiring 4-of-5 batters he faced (HBP, K) in the 6th/7th to maintain a 3-2 deficit vs. Oklahoma (SC rallied but still lost its opener, 4-3). Four days later, the scenario repeated itself – as Roth again relieved Cooper (with another narrow deficit vs. OU, 1-0) and retired all 4 he faced (K) – but this time the Gamecocks completed their rally for a 3-2, 12-inning win.

Less than 24 hours later, Roth was back on the mound as a surprise starter vs. rested in-state rival Clemson. His complete-game masterpiece in that 5-1 win saw virtually all of Clemson’s 33 batters fail to drive the ball out of the infield. Roth allowed only thee runners into scoring position (one reached third base), with his 9.0 innings featuring a 2nd-inning double/run scored, singles in the 8th and 9th, 16 groundball outs, 4 Ks, 2 foulouts, an infield lineout double play (4-3) and 3 flyouts (also a walk,  2 hit batters and a runner who reached on an E4 throw).

Richie Shaffer’s 3rd-inning leadoff double represented the only ball vs. Roth that reached the outfield until Spencer Kieboom’s flyout to right ended the 5th. Roth located 67 of his 108 pitches for strikes and did not allow a hit from Clemson’s #1 thru #4 spots in the batting order (0-for-14, BB, HBP, K … Chris Epps/John Nester, Mike Freeman, Jess Schaus and Kyle Parker).

Clemson twice put the leadoff man on vs. Roth, who proved extra-tough with runners on base (1-for-10 opp. batting) and with 2-outs (1-for-9).

Roth’s strong start vs. UCLA in the title-clinching win set up the 2-1 final score, with the decisive run coming in the bottom of the 11th. His 5.0 innings included the lone run scored on 6 hits and 2 walks, with 3 strikeouts. The Bruins failed to generate a 2-out hit vs. Roth (0-for-5), who avoided the big inning and laid the groundwork for the rare 1-1 game through 9-plus innings.

Roth finished the season with a team-best 1.34 ERA and 3.5 K-to-walk ratio (35/10) spanning 37 appearances and 40.1 innings (27 hits allowed, .196 opp. avg.).

HOLADAY reached base multiple times in each of TCU’s five games in Omaha and hit more home runs (4) than any other player in the 2010 CWS (no other players had more than 2 HR). He joined SC’s Walker (.414) as the only players with 17-plus ABs who hit above .400 in the CWS (.409; 9-for-22), with his other stats including 5 RBI, a CWS-leading 8 runs scored, a double (part of his 1.000 slugging pct.) and a walk. His 1.458 OPS (.458 on-base) ranked second only to Ogle’s 1.624, among the players in the eight-team CWS field.

Situationally, the 5-11, 190-pound righthanded-hitting Holaday batted equally well against lefthanded (3-for-8/.375) and RH pitching (6-for-14/.429) and went 3-for-4 (3 RBI) with 2-outs on the board (also 3-for-9 w/ runners on).

Beyond his offensive numbers, Holday continued to direct the talented TCU pitching staff and made an ever bigger impression on observers due to his leadership and inspiring play. Several opposing coaches at the CWS singled out Holaday for his all-around contributions to TCU’s success.

Holaday had a big debut in the CWS opener vs. Florida State (8-1 win), batting 3-for-5 from his customary 2-hole spot (a rare lineup position for a catcher on any level). His single and run scored helped the Frogs jump out to a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning, and he added another single in the 2nd before sending his 14th home run of the season over the leftfield fence (for a 7-1 cushion in the 4th).

Two days later, vs. UCLA ace Gerrit Cole, Holaday reached base twice (HBP, BB) but the TCU offense failed to generate enough runs (in a 6-3 loss). Holaday then helped his team rally to avoid elimination, in an 11-7 comeback vs. Florida State. The veteran catcher scored a run in the 3rd and had a 5th-inning single, before playing his part in the 8th-inning eruption that saw TCU turn a 4-run deficit into a 4-run lead.

With one run on the board in the top of the 8th and TCU still trailing (7-4), Holaday stepped in with 2-outs and FSU relief ace Mike McGee on the mound. He took the first pitch for a ball before connecting on an RBI double to left field. Two batters later, Matt Curry’s grand slam vaulted TCU into the lead – but Holaday’s clutch 2-out double had helped set the table for that huge home run.

Two days later, Holaday’s 1st-inning single and run scored helped put TCU on its way to avenging the earlier loss to UCLA (6-2). He added a home run in the 8th for the final cushion – and homered twice twice more (once to left-center, once dead-center) in the third game vs. the Bruins, a 10-3 loss.

The recipient of the Johnny Bench Award – recognizing college baseball’s top all-around catcher in 2010 – Holaday finished the season with a .355 batting avg., 53 RBI, a team-best 72 runs scored, 42 extra-base hits (17 HR, 3B, 24 2B), 42 free passes (29 BB, 13 HBP) and a gaudy 1.069 OPS (.438 on-base plus .631 slugging).

Criteria for the Primetime Performer awards (and for determining the Primetime Player/Pitcher) extends beyond raw stats, with the other factors that play a role in the selection process including:

• Consistency of play throughout the team’s games during the CWS (i.e. started strong and finished strong)
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, etc.
• Contribution to team success
• Defensive play (routine and sensational)
• Leadership and other intangible factors
• General impact on the game
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual)
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS HONOR ROLL #18
(College World Series; June 19-29, 2010)
presented by CollegeBaseball360.com

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

note: all photos courtesy of the respective schools (action photo of Walker will be added when provided/located)

BEAU AMARAL (CF … #25)
UCLA  •  Fr.
Huntington Beach, CA  •  Huntington Beach HS
5-10  •  175  •  Bats: Left

Top of the lineup batter (leadoff/2-hole) who hit team-best .375 (9-for-24) during six CWS games (with 2 RBI, 4 runs, 3 doubles, 2 walks, 2 HBP and a stolen base) … compiled a .964 OPS (.464 on-base, .500 slugging pct.) during his stay in Omaha (he was the only player to hit more than 2 doubles) … picked up the slack for UCLA offense that averaged only 5.2 runs per game in Omaha (the rest of the team hit .257 at the CWS) … hit for the same avg. (.375) vs. LH and RH pitchers, also batting .417 (5-12) with runners aboard during the CWS … proved to be an effective table-setter , reaching on 4-of-7 leadoff plate appearances … reached on his first five trips to the plate (3-for-4, BB, HBP, RBI, R, SB) during 11-3 opening win over Florida (#6 seed over #3) … got aboard on 1st-inning HBP during that game, followed by a single/SB/R in the 3rd, a walk in the 4th and two more singles  (in the 5th and 7th) … led from the leadoff spot in key 6-3 winners-bracket win over TCU (3-for-3, BB, RBI, 2R) … walked and scored in the 1st inning of that game, followed by singles in the 2nd and 4th and a 7th-inning double down the leftfield line that led to him scoring team’s final run … joined his teammates in suffering through 4-hit loss vs. TCU four days later, but he and the Bruins bounced back to beat the Frogs again (10-3) for a spot in the championship series … UCKA endured 4-hit loss vs. South Carolina in title-series opener (7-1) before more competitive second game (2-1 decisive loss, in 11 inn.) … had a single and double in that final game, but was stranded each time … earned second team all-Pac-10 honors in 2010, en route to team-best .354 season batting avg. (31 RBI, 45 R, 4 HR, 12 2B, 20 BB, 16 HBP, .442 on-base, 9 SB).

TREVOR BAUER (RHP … #47)
UCLA  •  So.
Valencia, CA  •  Hart HS
6-1  •  175

Struck out 24 batters spanning 15 innings pitched in Omaha (14.4 Ks/9 IP), with only 4 walks in his pair of outings (6:1 K-to-walk ratio) … allowed 6 runs (5 earned; 3.00 ERA) en route to picking up key wins over Florida (11-3) and TCU (10-3; bracket final) … limited opposing hitters to a .182 combined batting avg. (10 H), with his other CWS stats including a  pair of wild pitches and 2 balks … proved equally tough vs. righthanded (.188 batting avg.) and lefthanded hitters (.174) … allowed only 3 hits with men on base (.176) and surrendered only 4 two-out hits (.200) … struck out 11 (4 “looking) in the opening win over Florida, with 3 runs, 6 hits and a pair of walks allowed in that 7-inning outing (2 BK) … 17 of his 21 outs vs. the Gators came via Ks or groundouts (6) … proved tough to hit for the UF righthanded hitters (2-for-12; also 2-for-12 w/runners on and 2-for-10 with 2-outs) … his elimination-game win over TCU included 8.0 strong innings (30 batters faced), with more than half of his strikeouts (7 of 13) coming on called strike-3s … limited Horned Frogs to 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and pair of walks (2 WP) … allowed leadoff baserunner only twice in the TCU game (also did not allow a lefthanded hit, 0-for-7, while limiting Frogs to 1-for-5 batting with runners on and 2-for-20 w/ 2-outs) … struck out the final four TCU batters he faced, en route to his 8th double-digit K game of the season … became first UCLA pitcher ever to post three wins in one NCAA Tournament … ended his All-America 2010 season with UCLA-record and nation-leading 165 strikeouts (in 131.1 innings; 11.3 Ks per 9 IP), plus a 3.02 season ERA, 12-3 record, 41 walks (4-to-1 K/walk ratio) and a .244 opponent batting avg. … first UCLA pitcher with 12-plus wins since 1997 (when future big-leaguer Jim Parque won 13).

JACKIE BRADLEY, Jr. (CF … #19)
South Carolina  •  So.
Prince George, VA  •  Prince George HS
5-10  •  175  •  Bats: Left

Talented all-around player and 3-hole hitter who stormed out of the gate at the CWS, batting 5-for-8 with 7 RBI and a pair of home runs in the first two games … ended up leading all players at the 2010 CWS with 9 RBI, while batting .345 (10-for-29) with 5 runs scored and a 1.027 OPS (.441 on-base plus .586 slugging pct.; 3BB, 2HBP, 2HR, 2B) …hit 4-for-10 in Omaha with runners in scoring position (also 4-for-10/3 RBI with 2-outs) … kept Gamecocks in the game during opening 4-3 loss to Okahoma (2-for-4, 2RBI-HR-BB) … sent ball over rightfield fence to forge 4th-inning tie in that first game vs. OU (2-2) … also had 1st-inning single and 2-out walk in the 9th, as SC rallied to nearly tie the game (1R in 9th, left bases loaded) … drove in 4 runs to help eliminate top seed Arizona State, 11-4 (3-for-4, HR, HBP) … had 1st-inning single in that game, then launched huge 3-run HR to left-center as part of crushing 8-run bottom of the 2nd (also had bases-loaded HBP in the 3rd and singled in the 9th) … his only hit in elimination game vs. Oklahoma was a big one: a 2-out single to right that tied the game in the 12th (he scored moments later on a Brady Thomas single, for 3-2 win) … stroked a 3rd-inning RBI double the next day, for early 3-0 lead vs. in-state rival Clemson (5-1 win; also walked in 8th) … had early single and a HBP in bracket final rematch vs. the Tigers, later earning an intentional walk and coming around to score 7th-inning run that secured final margin in that 4-3 game … opened the title series vs. UCLA with a 2-out bunt single and run scored, adding another infield single in that 7-1 win … helped clinch title in 2-1, 11-inning thriller vs. UCLA … a second team all-SEC performer in 2010, with his final stats including team-best totals in batting avg. (.368) and RBI (60), plus 56 runs scored, 26 extra-base hits (13 HR, 3B, 12 2B), four more walks than strikeouts (41/37, plus 8 HBP), an impressive 1.060 OPS (.473 on-base plus .587 slugging pct.), 7 stolen bases and a .933 fielding pct. (1 error).

BLAKE COOPER (RHP … #27)
South Carolina  •  Sr.
Neeses, SC  •  Edisto HS
5-10  •  180

Battle-tested veteran who made three starts at the CWS, logging 300 total pitches and a 2.41 ERA while going 1-1 with 21 strikeouts, only 5 walks, 3 hit batters and 13 hits allowed (.197 opp. batting avg.) in 18.2 innings … proved tough against lefthanded batters (1-for-6) … allowed 8-of-20 leadoff batters to reach, but limited the opposition to .179 batting with runners on base (12-for-60) and .150 w/ 2-outs (3-for-20) … had a solid outing but limited run support in CWS opener vs. Oklahoma (4-3), taking the loss after 5 IP (3R-6H-BB-5K-22BF-67 pitches) … returned to the mound four days later for strong start in 12-inning elimination-game rematch vs. OU (3-2 win) … allowed a single run over 5.2 innings during that clutch outing (4H-2BB-HB-6K-22BF-98p), limiting OU to 1-for-7 batting with runners on (0-for-4 w/ 2-outs) … was back on the mound four days later, picking up huge 7-1 win vs. UCLA in title series opener (8+IP-R-3H-BB-10K-10 groundouts-32BF-136p) for his 34th career victory with the Gamecocks … took a no-hitter into 5th inning of that game and carried a 1-hitter into the 8th … allowed a ball out of the infield only three times through the first 8.0 innings (2 flyouts; his 24 outs included the 10 Ks, 10 GOs, a foulout to the 2B and a lineout back to the mound) … limited UCLA leadoff batters to reaching only twice (plus 1-for-11 with runners on, 0-for-8 w/ 2-outs) … a first team all-SEC selection in 2010, when he finished the season with a 2.76 ERA, 13-2 record and 3.2 K-to-walk ratio (126/39) in 137 innings (111 H, .223 opp. avg., 15 HB, only 1 wild pitch).

TAYLOR FEATHERSTON (SS … #12)
TCU  •  So.
Katy, TX  •  Taylor HS
6-1  •  175  •  Bats: Right

Slick-fielding shortstop who played error-free in four CWS games (19 fielding chances; three double-plays) while providing a huge offensive boost from the 7-hole … racked up a 1.183 OPS (.450 on-base plus .733 slugging pct.) in Omaha, after batting 6-for-15 (.333) with 12 total bases (HR-3B-2B) and 4 walks (also a sac.-fly) … his .733 slugging was 4th-best among all players at the 2010 CWS … joined South Carolina RF/3B Whit Merrifield as only players that hit for the cycle over the course of their respective CWS games (not in one game) … finished second at the CWS with 7 RBI (behind SC’s Jackie Bradley, Jr., who drove in 9 runs) … 4 of his RBI came with 2-outs (also hit 3-for-5 w/ runners in scoring position) … had early sac.-fly and nearly scored in the 3rd inning (BB/reached 3rd) to help beat Florida State in 8-1 CWS opener … delivered one of the most exciting moments of the 2010 CWS two days later, when his 2-out, bases-clearing triple cut UCLA’s lead in half (6-3) with two full innings still to play (the Bruins held on to that final margin) … his single was part of TCU’s thrilling 8-run top of the 8th, as the Frogs rallied to beat FSU again (11-7, this time in an elimination game) … two days later, he reached base in all four of his plate appearances (2-for-2, 2 BB, 3 RBI) to help beat UCLA, 6-2 … walked with the bases-loaded in that game, then singled and stole a base, walked again and launched 2-run HR over leftfield fence to turn a 3-2 game into a 5-2 cushion heading into the 8th … closed with a double and walk in decisive third game vs. UCLA (10-3 loss) … a first team all-Mountain West Conference selection (also MVP of the NCAA Ft. Worth Regional), he hit .338 during the 2010 season, with 52 RBI, 59 runs scored and an impressive extra-base combination (16 2B, 7 3B, 8 HR), plus 23 walks and a .991 OPS (.420 OB, .571 slug.).

JOHN HINSON (3B … #4)
Clemson  •  Jr./So.
Asheville, NC  •  Reynolds HS
6-0  •  175  •  Bats: Left

Six-hole batter who led Clemson to a 2-0 start at the CWS and ended up hitting team-best .438 (7-for-16) during four games in Omaha (3B, BB, 2 SB; no errors at the hot corner) … his .438 batting was best at the CWS among players with 12-plus at-bats … factored into nearly one-third of his team’s 16 runs (3 RBI, 3 R) in Omaha … hit 3-for-5 with runners in scoring position and reached 2-of-4 times as leadoff batter … helped knock off top-seeded Arizona State (6-3), with an RBI single and run scored to cap a 3-run top of the 5th (also singled in the 7th) … returned to Rosenblatt two days later and was the offensive hero in 6-4 winners-bracket win over Oklahoma (3-for-4, 2 RBI, R, 2 SB) … sent 4th-inning RBI single to center field, stole second and scored, for 4-1 midgame lead on the Sooners (added RBI single in the 5th) … part of Tigers team that totaled only 3 hits in 5-1 loss vs. in-state rival South Carolina, followed by 2-for-5 effort (5th-inning RBI single/run) in elimination-game rematch vs the Gamecocks (6-3 loss) … finished second on the 2010 Tigers in season batting avg. (.351), RBI (75) and home runs (17), adding a team-best 25 stolen bases, plus 60 runs scored, 9 doubles, a triple, 26 walks and a 1.008 OPS (.410 on-base; .598 slugging).

*BRYAN HOLADAY (C … #16)
TCU  •  Sr.
Dallas, TX  •  North Central Texas JC/W.T. White HS
5-11  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Reached base multiple times in each of TCU’s five games in Omaha and hit more home runs (4) than any other player in the 2010 CWS (no other players had more than 2 HR) … one of two players with 17-plus ABs who hit above .400 in the CWS (.409; 9-for-22), adding 5 RBI, a CWS-leading 8 runs scored, a double (part of his 1.000 slugging pct.) and a walk .. his 1.458 OPS (.458 on-base) ranked second at the CWS … batted equally well against lefthanded (3-for-8/.375) and RH pitching (6-for-14/.429) and went 3-for-4 (3 RBI) with 2-outs (3-for-9 w/ runners on) … continued to direct talented pitching staff and made an ever bigger impression on observers due to his leadership and inspiring play … had big debut in CWS opener vs. Florida State (8-1 win), batting 3-for-5 from his customary 2-hole spot (a rare lineup position for a catcher on any level) … his single and run scored helped Frogs jump out to a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning, and he added another single in the 2nd before sending ball over leftfield fence for 7-1 cushion in the 4th … two days later, vs. UCLA ace Gerrit Cole, he reached base twice (HBP, BB) but the TCU offense failed to generate enough runs in  6-3 loss) … helped his team rally to avoid elimination, in 11-7 comeback vs. FSU … scored in the 3rd and had a 5th-inning single, before playing his part in 8th-inning eruption that saw TCU turn a 4-run deficit into a 4-run lead … with one run on the board in the top of the 8th and TCU still trailing (7-4), he stepped in with 2-outs to face FSU relief ace Mike McGee, connecting on a 0-1 pitch for an RBI double to left field (minutes before Matt Curry’s grand slam) … two days later, his 1st-inning single and run scored helped put TCU on its way to avenging earlier loss to UCLA (6-2) … added a home run in the 8th for final cushion – and homered twice twice more (once to left-center, once dead-center) in third game vs. the Bruins, a 10-3 loss … recipient of the Johnny Bench Award, recognizing college baseball’s top all-around catcher in 2010 … finished season with .355 batting avg., 53 RBI, team-best 72 runs scored, 42 extra-base hits (17 HR, 3B, 24 2B), 42 free passes (29 BB, 13 HBP) and a gaudy 1.069 OPS (.438 on-base, .631 slug.).

TYLER HOLT (CF … #15)
Florida State  •  Jr.
Gainesville, FL  •  Gainesville HS
6-0  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Leadoff batter who hit .417 at the CWS (5-for-14), with a .533 on-base pct. (3 walks), 4 runs scored, 2 RBI, a home run and only a single strikeout … his .417 batting was 2nd-best at the CWS among players with 12-plus ABs … compiled the 4th-best OPS (1.200; .533 on-base plus .667 slugging pct.) among players at the 2010 CWS … reached base 3-of-5 times when leading off the inning … singled vs. TCU ace Matt Purke and scored to open the scoring at the 2010 CWS (also walked in next trip to the plate; 8-1 loss) … reached base four times (3-for-4, BB) to lead 8-5 elimination-game victory over in-state rival Florida (2 RBI-3R-HR) … led off the bottom of the 1st in that game with a home run to center field (vs. Hudson Randall), later adding a walk/run (sparking 3-run bottom of 3rd), a single up the middle/run and an RBI single into the right-center gap … singled and scored in the 5th for 5-2 lead in elimination-game rematch vs. TCU (later drew 8th-inning walk to load the bases, but TCU escaped en route to closing out a thrilling 11-7 comeback win) … his 2010 All-America season included an impressive all-around collection of statistical accomplishments, with a team-best .355 batting avg., 87 runs scored, 48 RBI and 30 stolen bases on 33 attempts, plus 13 home runs among his 42 extra-base hits (26 2B, 3 3B), 11 more walks than strikeouts (59/48, plus 4 HBPs), a 1.100 OPS (.471 on-base; .629 slug.) and a .994 fielding pct. (only 1 E).

ZACH NEAL (RHP … #32)
Oklahoma  •  Jr.
Flower Mound, TX  •  Howard JC/Sam Houston St./Flower Mound HS
6-2  •  210

Likely would have picked up elimination-game win versus eventual NCAA champion South Carolina, but he received only one supporting run from the OU offense as Sooners lost, 3-2 in 12 innings … logged 7.0 shutout innings before allowing leadoff hit in the 8th (his final batter faced, with the runner coming around to tie the score) … retired 14 straight at one point and faced only 28 batters, with 5 hits allowed, a walk, hit batter and 7 strikeouts … limited the SC lefthanded hitters to 1-for-8 combined hitting and allowed only a pair of 2-out hits (2-for-9) … the 104-pitch outing (62 strikes) easily ranked as one of his best of the season (4.23 final ERA), matching his fewest earned runs allowed in 18 starts during the 2010 season … earlier had an 8-inning no-decision in the NCAA Regional round vs. North Carolina (3R-8H-3BB-10K; OU won 7-6 in 10) … earned 2010 second team all-Big 12 honors, with his other season stats including an 8-3 record, nearly a 4-to-1 K/walk ratio (95/24, in 105.2 innings) and a .275 oppnent batting avg.

TYLER OGLE (C … #35)
Oklahoma … So. … San Antonio, TX
5-10  •  180  •  Bats: Right

Cleanup hitter whose .455 batting (5-for-11) at the CWS picked up the slack for an OU offense that hit only .196 during its three games in Omaha (rest of team was .165) … factored into half of team’s 10 runs at the CWS (4 RBI-3R-2HR) while compiling a CWS-best 1.629 OPS (.538 on-base plus a CWS-leading 1.091 slugging pct.; 2B, 2 BB, sac-bunt) with no strikeouts … hit 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position and 2-for-4 with 2-outs (reached as leadoff batter 3-of-5 times) … brought home the game’s first run with 2-out single in the 1st, as OU beat eventual NCAA champ South Carolina (4-3) … two days later, he had a walk, 8th-inning home run and RBI double in the 9th but the Sooners lost to Clemson in the winners-bracket (6-4) … nearly carried OU to elimination-game win vs. SC (3-2 loss, in 12 inn.) … led off 2nd inning of that game with single and run scored, adding sac. bunt and a walk as Sooners endured nine scoreless innings … was in line to be the 12th-inning hero, when his home run cleared the centerfield fence to lead off the top of the inning (1-0 pitch from Ethan Carter; SC scored twice in bottom of 12th) … his 2010 final statistics included a .331 batting avg. (2nd-best among the OU regulars), plus 46 RBI, 39 runs, 11 home runs, 11 doubles, an equal number of walks vs. strikeouts (26; plus 4 HBP) and a 1.040 OPS (.439 on-base; .601 slug.).

MATT PRICE (RHP … #22)
South Carolina  •  So./Fr.
Sumter, SC  •  Sumter HS
6-2  •  215

Closer for national champs who compiled a 0.93 ERA spanning four CWS appearances … his two wins included decisive game that won national title (2-1, in 11 inn.) …. allowed a single run in his 9.2 innings while racking up 15 Ks to only a single walk … held opposing hitters to a .189 combined batting avg. (7-for-27) and had a “WHIP” (walks + hits per 9 IP) of 7.72 … a triple was his only extra-base hit allowed (also had three HBPs and faced 41 total batters) … allowed a couple inherited runners to score but still closed out the huge win that eliminated #1 seed Arizona State, 11-4 (1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 K, HB, 9 BF) … returned to the mound two days later for an impressive performance in another elimination game (3-2 vs. Oklahoma, in 12 inn.) … faced only 10 batters while pitching the 9th-11th innings of that thriller (HB, 5 Ks) … was the pitcher of record in 4-3 win over in-state rival Clemson, sending Gamecocks on to the title series (1.2IP-R-3H-3K-10BF) … closed title-clinching win vs. UCLA, with 2.2 shutout innings (H-BB-HB-3K-12 BF) … a second team all-SEC selection, he finished the 2010 season with a 2.26 ERA, 10 saves and a 4-1 record in 31 relief appearances, along with a 4.4 K-to-walk ratio (83/19), a lowly .183 opp. batting avg., an impressive 9.05 “WHIP” (37 H; had 19 more innings pitched than hits allowed), 9 hit batters and no wild pitches.

MATT PURKE (LHP … #47)
TCU  •  Fr.
Spring, TX  •  Klein HS
6-4  •  180

Rookie sensation and 2009 MLB Draft 1st-rounder who lived up to his billing while pitching on the big stage at the CWS, where he won both of his starts en route to compiling a 1.35 ERA over 13.1 innings (9 Ks, 6 BB, HB, WP, 7 H, .152 opp. batting avg.) … allowed only a pair of hits from lefthanded batters (2-for-17; .118) during the wins over Florida State (8-1) and UCLA (6-2) … surrendered a leadoff baserunner four times in Omaha, but opposing hitters were only 3-for-18 with runners on base (.168) and 1-for-13 with 2-outs (.077) … 35 of his 40 outs at the CWS came via strikeouts or groundball outs (26) … was touched for only one run (unearned) in his CWS debut vs. FSU (7IP-7K-4BB-4H-11GO-28BF-115 pitches) … held the Seminoles’ lefthanded bats to 1-for-8 while working out of several jams (FSU was 2-for-13 w/ runners on and 0-for-6 w/ 2-outs) … returned six days later to help beat UCLA and stave off elimination, with 14 groundouts in that 6.1-inning appearance (2R-3H-2K-2BB-HB-25BF-107 p) … allowed only 1-of-7 Bruins leadoff batters to reach (1-for-5 UCLA batting w/ runners on, 1-for-7 w/ 2-outs, 1-for-9 by lefties) … ended his All-America season as national leader in wins (16-0; 20 appearances/18 starts), along with a 3.02 ERA, a 4.2 K-to-walk ratio (142/34 in 116.1 innings; 11.0 Ks per 9 IP), and 25 more innings pitched (116.1) than hits allowed (91; .212 opp. batting avg.).

*MICHAEL ROTH (LHP … #29)
South Carolina  •  So.
Greer, SC  •  Riverside HS
6-1  •  210

Rose to the occasion during four appearances at the CWS, where he compiled a 1.10 ERA and answered the call with strong outings in his first two starts of season (also made only two starts in ’09) … limited CWS opposition to .167 batting avg. (9 H) and had three times as many strikeouts (9) as walks (3, also 3 HB & 20 groundouts) … allowed 4-of-16 leadoff batters to reach, but the opposition hit only 3-for-20 (.150) with runners on base and  1-for-17 hitting (.059) w/ 2-outs … his first appearance came in relief of Blake Cooper, retiring 4-of-5 batters (HBP, K) in the 6th/7th to maintain 3-2 deficit vs. Oklahoma (4-3 loss) … four days later, the scenario repeated itself – as he again relieved Cooper (with another narrow deficit vs. OU, 1-0) and retired all four he faced (K) as SC went on to win 3-2 in 12 … was back on the mound less than 24 hours later, as surprise starter vs. rested in-state rival Clemson … his 3-hit masterpiece in that 5-1 win saw virtually all of Clemson’s 33 batters fail to drive the ball out of the infield … allowed only three runners into scoring position (one reached third), with his 9.0 innings featuring a 2nd-inning double/run scored, singles in the 8th and 9th, 16 groundball outs, 4 Ks, 2 foulouts, an infield lineout double play (4-3) and 3 flyouts (BB,  2 HB, E4 throw) … located 67 of 108 pitches for strikes and did not yield a hit from Clemson’s #1 thru #4 batters (0-for-14) … allowed Clemson leadoff batters on-base twice and proved extra-tough with runners on (1-for-10 opp. batting) and 2-outs (1-for-9) … his strong start vs. UCLA in title-clinching win set up 2-1 final score (11 inn.) … his 5.0 innings included the lone run scored on 6 H and 2 BB (3 Ks) … the Bruins failed to generate a 2-out hit vs. him (0-for-5) … finished season with team-best 1.34 ERA in 37 appearances (2-1, 3 saves, 35K/10 BB, 27H/.196 opp avg., 40.1 IP).

CHRISTIAN WALKER (1B … #13)
South Carolina  •  Fr.
Limerick, PA  •  Kennedy-Kendrick HS
6-0  •  210  •  Bats: Right

Cleanup hitter who led the national champions with a .414 battting avg. (12-for-29) during the CWS, with the 12 hits representing the most of any player (also had top CWS batting avg. among players with more than 16 ABs) … homered twice at CWS, with 5 RBI, 3 runs scored, a 1.090 OPS (.469 on-base plus .621 slugging pct.), 3 walks and struck out only once … had solid game (2-for-3, HR, BB) in 4-3 opening loss vs. Oklahoma, with game-tying blast in the 2nd (1-1), a single in the 4th and walk in the 8th … drew a walk in 11-7 win that eliminated top-seeded Arizona State, followed by big game in another elimination game (3-2 vs. OU in 12 inn.; 3-for-5, RBI, BB) … reached base in his final four plate appearances during that thriller, with singles in the 6th, 8th (tying hit to left scored Evan Marzilli) and 11th – plus 2-out walk in the 12th that advanced the eventual winning run (Jackie Bradley, Jr.) … had a single but was stranded in 5-1 win over Clemson before playing key role in 4-3 rematch vs. the rival Tigers (sending SC to title series) … led off 4th inning of that game with home run to left (2-1 lead) and later supplied clutch 2-out single to center, forging 3-3 tie in the 7th … his 2-for-5 effort in 7-1 win over UCLA included 2-out single/run scored in the 1st (for quick 2-0 lead) … reached base three times in title-clinching win vs. Bruins (2-1, in 11), with 2nd-inning walk and singles in the 5th and 7th … earned spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team, with his final 2010 stats including a .327 batting avg., 51 RBI, 35 runs, 23 extra-base hits (9 HR, 2 3B, 12 2B), an equal number of walks and strikeouts (18, plus 4 HBP) and a .902 OPS (.384 OB, .518 slug.).

* – Holaday has been honored by CB360 as the CWS Primetime Player while Roth is the Primetime Pitcher for the 2010 CWS.

In the most recent update of CB360’s exclusive Senior Class Salute, we highlight a South Carolina baseball program that will be taking on UCLA in the CWS Championship Series (first game is tonight, at 6:30 central), after beating in-state rival twice (5-1/4-3) to earn the finals berth.

South Carolina four-year standout Blake Cooper will be making his third start at the 2010 CWS, in Monday's series opener vs. UCLA.

South Carolina has amassed a 178-82 record (.685) record over the past four seasons and is is tied with fellow SEC team Vanderbilt (also 178-82) for the 10th-most wins in all of Division I baseball, from 2007-10 (other SEC teams on the list below include: LSU, 12th with 175 wins from ’07-’10 … Mississippi, 20th with 162 Ws … and Arkansas, 21st with 161). (front-page photo of Blake Cooper courtesy of South Carolina)

Following games played over the past few days at the CWS, Florida State departed Omaha with a record of 196-65 (.751) spanning the 2007-10 seasons. FSU finished with the 4th-best record from ’07-’10, one behind ACC rival North Carolina. Coastal Carolina sits atop the list at 202-53, followed by 2010 CWS entrant Arizona State‘s 201-52 (ASU narrowly finished with a better 4-year win pct. than Coastal, .795 to .792).

TCU – by virtue of its recent wins over FSU (the Frogs’ second CWS win over the Seminoles) and UCLA –moved into a tie with Rice for the 5th-most wins over any D-I program during the 2007 (186-65; .741).

The CB360 Senior Class Salute is modeled after a similar feature on sister site CollegeSoccer360.com. One difference between a sport such as women’s soccer and baseball is that senior classes for many baseball programs can be affected by: players leaving early for pro ball; players coming and going via transfer; and some utilizing a redshirt/extra season. Nonetheless, the 28 baseball programs listed below have experienced sustained winning over the past four years (with each averaging 39 or more wins per season) … and many of the players who are seniors/5th-year-seniors/redshirt juniors have played key roles in each program’s success during this four-year stretch.

(Note: the Senior-Class Salute will be a regular CB360 feature throughout the 2010 NCAAs and in future seasons … CB360 also will be developing lists for top junior classes based on career wins and top combined records over the past two seasons).

In addition to SC, ASU, FSU and TCU, two other teams at the 2010 CWS –  Oklahoma (19th; 163-88-1/.649) and Clemson (22nd; 161-97-1/.624) – are among the 28 winningest 4-year programs listed below. Oklahoma is 19th on this 4-year wins lists, while Clemson (161-97-1; .624) is tied with Arkansas for 21st on this list.

Florida ended its season with a combined record of 152-93 (.620) from 2007-10, while the remaining 2010 CWS team, UCLA, has gone 144-99 (.593) over the past four seasons.

South Carolina turned in a 46-20 record in 2007, followed by 40-23 marks in both 2008 and ’09, before fashioning the 52-16 record this season.

Kyle Enders

Two players – righthanded ace pitcher Blake Cooper (Neeses, S.C.) and catcher Kyle Enders (Greer, S.C.)  – have been contributing members of the South Carolina program during the past four seasons, helping the Gamecock compile a yearly average of nearly 45 wins during that 2007-10 span.

South Carolina’s senior class also includes six players who attended other colleges/junior colleges earlier in their careers (or joined the program as a walk-on midway through their college career): RHP Jay Brown (Brunswick, Ga.), C/DH Brady Thomas (Anderson, S.C.), infielders Bobby Haney (Smithtown, N.Y.) and Jeffrey Jones (Ft. Worth, Texas), 1B Nick Ebert (Ocala, Fla.) and RHP Jordan Propst (Gaffney, S.C.).

South Carolina ace Blake Cooper will be looking for his 34th career win in the CWS Championship Series opener vs. UCLA (photo courtesy of SC).

COOPER – who is slated to make his third start of the 2010 CWS in Monday’s series opener vs. UCLA – has closed his college career with a stellar senior season that includes a 2.86 ERA and 12-2 record, a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (116/38) and 21 more innings pitched (129) than hits allowed (108; .230 opp. batting avg.). The 5-foot-10, 180-pound RHP has led the way for a group of SC pitchers that has combined for a 3.53 staff ERA and .228 opponent batting avg.

A standout pitcher throughout his four seasons (33 career wins), Cooper made two starts versus Oklahoma during CWS bracket – with his combined stats including a 3.38 ERA, 0-1 record, 10 hits allowed, 3 walks and 11 strikeouts in 10.2 innings. Both of those games were tense 1-run decisions, with SC losing the first game vs. OU 4-3 (Cooper had 5IP-3R-6H-BB-5K) on June 20. Cooper then returned to the mound on June 24 and had no-decision in a solid outing (5.2IP-R-4H-2BB-HB-6K), as the Gamecocks stayed alive with a 4-3 win.

Cooper (a Edisto High School product) has compiled a 3.78 ERA and 33-13 record in 68 career appearances (61 starts) for South Carolina, with a 2.5 career K-to-walk ratio (283/113) and an average of roughly one hit allowed per inning (374 H; 369.0 IP).

South Carolina senior catcher Kyle Enders has played solidly behind the plate during the 2010 CWS and launched his third home run of the season in the 3-1 win over Clemson (photo courtesy of SC).

ENDERS picked a perfect time to hit his third home run of the season, doing so in the recent 5-1 win over Clemson to help SC fight off elimination. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound righthanded-hitting catcher has made 49 starts this season (59 games played) while batting .282 with 32 RBI and 13 extra-base hits (9 2B, 3B). His total”free passes” (32 walks + 7 hit-by-pitch) are more than twice his strikeouts (19), helping yield an on-base pct. of .369.

Over the course of his four-year career, Enders (a Riverside HS product) has hit .276 in 224 games played, with 99 RBI, 90 runs scored, 48 extra-base hits (13 HR, 2 3B, 33 2B) and 51 walks.

The 28 teams on the list (see below) of winningest programs from 2007-10 include six from the ACC, five SEC, plus three Big 12 programs and three from Conference USA, along with two each from the BIG EAST and Big West, and one each from the Atlantic-10, Big South, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Pacific-10, Southern Conf. and the Summit League.

Three teams on this list – Wichita State (#15), Charlote (#18) and East Carolina (#20) – failed to reach the 2010 NCAAs.

There have been 76 different teams over the past four years (2007-10) that have posted at least one season with 40-plus wins.

Winningest Senior Classes in 2010 College Baseball Season (2007-10)
(prior to CWS Championship Series)
(research courtesy of CollegeBaseball360.com; please credit accordingly)
* – 2010 College World Series teams

Note & Thoughts On Sunday’s Action In Omaha

Our coverage of the 2010 College World Series is brought to you by The Dugout in Omaha, with everything you’re looking for when it comes to officially licensed CWS hats and shirts.  If you can’t make it to Rosenblatt make sure to follow the link for all of your CWS gear!

Sunday’s Games

Game 3 – South Carolina 4-8-0, Oklahoma 3-9-0

Visit the CB360 Scoreboard Page for full details.

CB360 OU/South Carolina Postgame Video

Game 4 – Arizona State vs. Clemson-The game has been moved to a 10:08 am start time Monday morning.

Day One CWS Blog

• The start of the Oklahoma vs. South Carolina game was delayed 4 hours and 15 minutes by rain.

• The game was halted in the middle of the 6th inning with Oklahoma leading 3-2.  The game resumed at 9 pm CT after a 2:01 rain/lightning delay.

• Gamecock starter Blake Cooper did not return to the mound after the delay.  Michael Roth went to the mound instead for his 34th appearance of the season. Cooper gave-up three earned runs on six hits in 5 IP with five strikeouts and one walk.  He threw 67 pitches with 48 of them strikes.

• Oklahoma starter Michael Rocha did not return after the delay either.  He was relieved by Jeremy Erben.  Rocha gave-up two runs on solo home runs in 6 IP.  He had two strikeouts with three walks and threw 86 pitches, including 47 strikes.

• A lot of strategy was going on in the bottom of the 7th inning.  Sunny Golloway sent pinch-hitter Ricky Eisenberg to the plate for Eric Ross.  As soon as John Taylor got Eisenberg to line to second base the Gamecocks called-on Steven Neff to face fellow lefty Chris Ellison, who filed to centerfield.  That prompted Ray Tanner to call upon Jose Mata go get Max White to line to second base.  So to that point after the delay South Carolina had used four relievers to get six outs.

• You think maybe all this rain and lightning is Johnny Rosenblatt getting his revenge for moving the event he brought to Omaha out of the stadium that bears his name?

• Oklahoma and South Carolina played for just the second time ever today.  The first and only time they played previously was in 2007.  South Carolina won 13-2.

• The Sooners have won 14 of their last 16 games coming into Sunday’s game.  They were 3-0 when they hosted the Norman Regional with a win over Oral Roberts and two wins vs. North Carolina.   OU lost its Super Regional opener at Virginia only to win games two and three by a combined 21-7 score.

• The last time UNC was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament during Regional play was in 2005 in Gainesville.  The Tar Heels had been to Omaha four straight times prior to being eliminated by the Sooners.  Florida also advanced to the CWS from its Regional in ’05

• Since losing four of its last five games prior to the NCAA Tournament South Carolina is a perfect 5-0 so far this year in NCAA play.  The Gamecocks swept through Bucknell, The Citadel and Virginia Tech in Regional play and then beat Coastal Carolina in two one-run games at the Myrtle Beach Super Regional.

• Reese’s and Hy-Vee Supermarkets are donating $200 to Boys Town in Omaha for every home run hit during the College World Series.  TCU’s Bryan Holaday and Florida’s Josh Adams each homered on day one of the CWS.  South Carolina’s Christian Walker & Jackie Bradley, Jr. and OU’s Caleb Bushyhead & Garret Buechele have also gone deep today.

• Buechele’s HR to lead-off the bottom of the 8th was a MOON SHOT.  It was the thunder to the lightning that was flashing around Rosenblatt all night.  The blast nearly left the stadium, but landed in front of the giant scoreboard in left field.  They should donate $600 to Boys Town for Buechele’s blast.

• Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops is in the house today to see OU’s first CWS game since 1995.
  

  Jim Monaghan (right) and his brother Terry. (Photo Paul Fiarkoski)

• Paul Fiarkoski, who is helping us with our coverage of the CWS, met an interesting person outside in the stadium today.  Jim Monaghan told Paul that he played in the very first game ever played at Rosenblatt Stadium.  It was a youth game played in 1948…two years before the CWS moved to Omaha from Kalamazoo, MI.

• Jim also told Paul that he paid $550 for his pair of tickets for this year’s College World Series.  How much has he paid for his tickets for next year’s CWS at the new downtown stadium?  $3,300…can you say STICKER SHOCK!?!

• Just realize I haven’t mentioned it yet, so Happy Father’s Day! Starting with my day Jim, who was here with my family and I last year.  My son’s Scrappers baseball team was playing in the Omaha Slumpbuster Tournament here last year and we all had a blast.  They were supposed to come back this year, but didn’t get to due to some logistical issues. So happy Father’s Day as well to the Scrapper dads who didn’t get to make the return visit to Omaha this year:  Tom Lane, Don Milliser, Hal Farmwald, and Rob Coffel!

• ESPN’s Erin Andrews and Robin Ventura were seen out in the Old Market area in Omaha Saturday night with a couple of body guards as well.  No…they were not dancing.

• Chicago Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry was in the Rosenblatt press box tonight.

• The announced attendance of Sunday’s game was 22,800.  The total attendance through three games is 69,755 for a three game average of 23,252.  It’s about 3,000 behind last year’s average for the first three games.

On The Ground In Omaha The Day Before The Series

Our coverage of the 2010 College World Series is brought to you by The Dugout in Omaha, with everything you’re looking for when it comes to officially licensed CWS hats and shirts.  If you can’t make it to Rosenblatt make sure to follow the link for all of your CWS gear!

Groundskeepers prepare Rosenblatt Stadium for the College World Series. (AP photo)

6:45 am – I live in the Eastern Time zone and I usually get up at around 7:30, so it’s no surprise that my internal clock is still set even though my body now a time zone to the west.  I’m wide awake even though I had no intention to be.  Time to make the coffee…good thing I brought my own coffee maker (the perks of driving rather than flying), even though my wife gave me that look when I packed it!

7:30 am – I’ve been watching Mike and Mike on TV.  All the talk is, of course, about Kobe and the Lakers.  Puke.  Local TV had some CWS driving tips last night, like avoiding the 13th street exit off I-80 as much as possible.  I found that out the hard way last year.  It gets backed-up pretty quickly.

7:45 am – I was just going to head outside the hotel to stretch the legs with a stroll for a bit, but then I heard this rush of wind.  I hadn’t pulled back the blackout curtains yet.  When I did I saw big black storm clouds…not good for practice day for the eight teams at Rosenblatt.  Most of last year’s practice day was scrapped by rain, although teams still signed autographs inside the packed stadium walkways.  Storms never shock in Omaha during the CWS, but there were more than 30 tornadoes a couple states north of here in Minnesota last night.  Hopefully this doesn’t get too serious.  TCU has the first scheduled practice of the day in a little bit more than an hour.

8:05 am - One of the local TV stations just showed some shots from Rosenblatt from about an hour ago.  They said it went from a beautiful sunny morning to black in just a matter of minutes.  The satellite TV here at the hotel keeps cutting in and out.  Bad looking stuff on the radar.  Not looking good at all for practices, autographs and Fan Fest…at least for the next few hours.

8:40 am – Great news!  It’s clearing-up outside and the local weather guys are saying most of the storms are heading south of Omaha.  Supposed to be…wait for it…hot and humid this afternoon with a chance for some showers this evening during opening ceremonies and fireworks.  Getting ready to venture out soon.

10:30 am – After picking-up my media credential downtown I’m at the stadium and caught the end of Florida State’s batting practice.  Didn’t see anyone hit any out, but there was a bit of a breeze blowing in.  It’s a beautiful morning right now after what was looking like the start of a nasty day.  Nomar Garciaparra, who’ll be working the CWS for ESPN, was chatting-up FSU head coach Mike Martin behind the batting cage.

11 am – At the first press conference of the day, featuring Tim Esmay of Arizona

Tim Esmay

State, Jack Leggett of Clemson, Sunny Golloway of Oklahoma, and South Carolina’s Ray Tanner.  This is the group of coaches from teams that will play Sunday’s first round games.

Some of the highlights…

Leggett talked about playing at the CWS against an Arizona State team that included future Major Leaguers like Hubie Brooks, Bob Horner, Floyd Bannister, and Bob Welch.  He says yellow school buses picked-up players at their hotels to take them to Rosenblatt Stadium.

Esmay talked about his ASU team playing against Robin Ventura and Oklahoma State in 1987 when Ventura was in the midst of what would end-up his NCAA record 58-game hitting streak.

Leggett/Esmay Video

Tanner/Golloway Video

Tanner talked about something that happened at last week’s Super Regionals.  South Carolina ace Blake Cooper had just finished his start against Coastal Carolina and was icing his shoulder in the dugout.  A hard hit foul ball was headed right at Cooper’s head, so he instinctively put his hand up to protect his head.  It was his pitching hand, and it was sore and swollen for a few days, but after some ice Tanner says it’s now better.  He will start Sunday vs. Oklahoma.

The other three coaches announced their starters as well:  South Carolina-Blake Cooper (12-1, 2.81) vs. Oklahoma- Michael Rocha (7-2, 3.57), Clemson-Casey Harman (7-3, 3.73) vs. Arizona State-Seth Blair (12-0, 3.35).

12:05 – I caught part of UCLA’s on-field practice.  Tyler Rahmatulla, who broke his right wrist in the Bruin’s Super Regional dog pile celebration, has a cast on his wrist.  No surprise, he wasn’t looking very happy.

I talked to UCLA SID Alex Timiraos and he filled me in on the story of Bruin pitcher Trevor Bauer’s hat, which is as faded looking as an old worn-out pair of denim jeans.  Bauer is a sophomore who enrolled at UCLA in what would have been his senior year in high school.  He got the hat right after getting to Westwood and it’s the only game cap he’s worn since he started playing.  Bauer (10-3, 3.02) will start Saturday vs. Florida.  It’s his first game one start of the season.  Gerrit Cole (10-3, 3.25) has been UCLA’s game one guy to this point so far.

1 pm – Writing in the Rosenblatt press box right now while Oklahoma is on the field taking batting practice.

2 pm – At the press conference with Florida’s Kevin O’Sullivan, Florida State’s

Mike Martin

Mike Martin, TCU’s Jim Schlossnagle, and UCLA’s John Savage.  It’s always interesting and fun to see how different coaches react and interact when they’re around each other.  I was right behind Savage when we were walking into the press conference room and O’Sullivan was talking to someone in the entryway.  They shook hands and after Savage moved along O’Sullivan had a youth-like nervous kind of innocent look as if to say “That’s the guy we’re going up against.”

Martin/Schlossnagle Video

O’Sullivan/Savage Video

The four coaches officially announced Saturday’s starting pitchers:  UCLA-Trevor Bauer (10-3, 3.02) vs. Florida- Alex Panteliodis (11-2, 3.26), Florida State-Sean Gilmartin (9-7, 4.89) vs. TCU-Matt Purke (14-0, 3.23)

Noteable quotes…

Martin on FSU outfielder Tyler Holt “He’s a dirt bag, fireball redneck…take your pick”.  And on TCU being in its first College World Series “They belong here.  To do what they did in Austin (beating Texas in the Super Regionals) is an unbelievable accomplishment”.

“I fell off my chair.” – Savage on his reaction when he learned that sophomore pitcher Gerrit Cole would attend UCLA instead of signing pro after being drafted in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft by the New York Yankees.

“We’ll find a spot.” – Schlossnagle on what he said to Matt Purke last fall when he asked him if he had a spot on the roster for him at TCU.  The freshman was drafted in the first round out of high school a year ago by the Texas Rangers.

“He’s the coach of all coaches.” – Savage talking about the late great former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, who died earlier this month.

2:45 pm – Eating lunch in the press box while watching South Carolina finish its batting practice.  A cheeseburger from Omaha Steaks…that’s a pretty solid lunch!

3:30 pm – Arizona State has been taking batting practice while I’ve been writing and editing video.  It’s strange to look down at the field and not see Pat Murphy with the Sun Devils.

4:30 pm - Stepped outside the stadium to get an ice cream cone at Zestos.  It’s a College World Series tradition, but like a lot of other traditions it doesn’t sound like it’s one that will continue once things move downtown next year.  Let’s hope they at least have a Zestos tent or stand next to the new stadium next year.

After grabbing my cone I headed across the street to check out the shirts and hats and everything else at the tents, including The Dugout on the corner right across from Zestos.  A lot of great stuff!  I don’t know which ones to choose…and I have a lot of people to bring stuff home for!

7:15 pm – I’m back at my hotel after leaving the Rosenblatt neighborhood for the day.  I’ve been posting video from earlier today as well as updating this blog.  I’ve also been watching The Long Home Run on one of the local stations.  It’s the documentary about the College World Series and Rosenblatt.  It’s definitely worth a watch.

By The Numbers And Analysis For Each Of The Omaha Eight

The beginning of the end is almost here.  The last College World Series that will ever be played at Rosenblatt Stadium starts Saturday.  Below are statistical breakdowns of this year’s eight CWS teams as well as a “by the numbers” look at each team and analysis.

Once the CWS begins Collegebaseball360.com will have daily coverage of every game in Omaha, including post game video with players and coaches, a daily blog and a daily CWS scoreboard.

CWS Bracket One

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Jim Schlossnagle

TCU Horned Frogs (51-12)
Head Coach: Jim Schlossnagle  (7th season)

1…College World Series appearance by the Horned Frogs.  It’s also the first CWS appearance by any Mountain West Conference team in the 11 year history of the league.

51…Wins this season-a school record.

37-3…Combined record of TCU starting pitchers Matt Purke, Kyle Winkler and Steven Maxwell.   The trio has also combined for 312 strikeouts and just 95 walks in 317 2/3 IP.

23-0…TCU’s record this season when its pitching staff strikes out at least 10 batters in a game.

14…Wins with no losses by Purke.  The freshman was also the 14th overall pick in the first round by the Texas Rangers in the 2009 MLB draft, but he chose to go to college instead.

5-1…The Horned Frogs’ record so far in the NCAA post season.  Their only loss was vs. Texas in game two of their Super Regional.

.340…Team batting average, which is 10th best in the nation this season.

3.46…Team ERA-good for a #7 national ranking.  TCU is the only team in the nation to rank in the top 10 in both team batting average and ERA.

.558…Team slugging percentage-the best of any of the eight CWS teams and good for a #6 NCAA ranking.

1…TCU player, Matt Curry, who has double-digit home runs and stolen bases.  Curry leads the Horned Frogs with 17 and 12, respectively.  Curry also has team highs with 26 doubles and an 1.173 OPS.

.373 & 66…Team best batting average and RBIs by outfielder Jason Coats, who has also hit 13 HR.

ANALYSIS: TCU has the best combination of pitching and hitting of the eight teams in Omaha.  Any questions about the Horned Frogs offensive and pitching stats against Mountain West Conference competition have already been answered.  They took two of three from one of the nation’s best offensive teams, New Mexico, during the regular season.  They also beat the nation’s best pitching team, Texas, in last week’s Super Regional.  The biggest question would appear to be whether they can avoid the awe factor of the program’s first CWS appearance.

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Mike Martin

Florida State Seminoles (47-18)
Head Coach: Mike Martin  (31st season)

20…College World Series appearances by the FSU-the fifth most all-time appearances by a school.

2,570…Florida State baseball games head coach Mike Martin has been involved in as a player, assistant and head coach.  Martin has been involved in nearly 75% of the 2,526 wins in the history of Florida State baseball.

15 & 68…Team leading home runs and RBIs by Mike McGee, who is also batting .328.

12…Team leading saves by McGee, which is tied for 10th in the nation.  The junior, who doubles as the team’s closer, is 4-0 on the mound with a 1.37 ERA.

0…Complete games by the FSU pitching staff.  The Seminoles join Arizona State as the only two CWS pitching staffs without a CG this season.

15…Out of 15 FSU pitchers who have made at least one relief appearance during the season.

255…Walks issued by the Seminole staff-the most of any of the teams in Omaha.

30…Team best stolen bases by Tyler Holt, who is also batting a team best .352 and leads the ‘Noles with 82 runs scored.

ANALYSIS: As usual, Mike Martin’s Seminoles have a team that can hit, but there are questions with their pitching depth.  Sean Gilmartin was knocked-out early in FSU’s Super Regional opener against Vanderbilt and then had to come back out of the bullpen to help win game three.  A win over TCU and freshman ace Matt Purke in the opener would be huge.

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John Savage

UCLA Bruins (48-14)
Head Coach: John Savage  (6th season)

3…College World Series appearances by the Bruins.  This is their first since 1997.

48…School record wins this season.

#6…National seed of the Bruins, which are one of just three national seeds to make it to Omaha.

22…School record wins to open the season by UCLA.  The Bruins first setback was an 8-4 loss to Stanford on April 3rd.

2.94 & .218…Team ERA and opponent batting average of the Bruin pitching staff.  The ERA is the second best in the nation (behind Texas).

639…NCAA leading strikeouts fired by the UCLA pitching staff.

396…Of the strikeouts that have been recorded by weekend starters Gerrit Cole, Trevor Bauer and Rob Rasmussen.  The trio is also a combined 31-8 this season.

11…Wins this season by Rasmussen.  The junior has the most wins by a Bruin hurler since Jim Parque set the school record with 13 on the team’s 1997 CWS team.

1…Career complete game Rasmussen has tossed.  It came in Sunday’s Super Regional clincher vs. Cal State Fullerton.

.464 & .401…Team slugging percentage and on-base percentage.  The slugging percentage is the lowest in the CWS field, while the on-base percentage is tied for the second lowest with Oklahoma.

0…Double digit home run hitters for UCLA.  They’re the only such CWS team this year.

.328-7-45…Batting average, HR and RBIs by Tyler Rahmatulla, who started 61 of UCLA’s 62 games this season as their primary 3-hole hitter.  The sophomore will miss the CWS after breaking his wrist in the Bruins’ Super Regional celebration dog pile.

ANALYSIS: As evidenced by the strikeout total UCLA is built on not just pitching, but power arms and that’s what usually gets it done in the post season (although not for Texas last week).  The Bruin pitchers aren’t just strong-armed, they’re confident as well.  UCLA must overcome the loss of Rahmatulla, who emerged early as one of their top run producers.  A team that doesn’t have a lot of offense to begin with can’t afford to lose what offense it has.

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Kevin O'Sullivan

Florida Gators (47-15)
Head Coach:  Kevin O’Sullivan  (3rd season)

6…College World Series appearances by the Gators.  This is their first trip to Omaha since finishing as the national runner-up in 2005.

3…Years as a head coach by Gator boss Kevin O’Sullivan.  He made trips to the CWS as a Clemson assistant in 2000, 2002 and 2006.

3…National seed of the Gators, making the first round Florida vs. UCLA game the only one to feature two national seeds.

6.9…Runs a game scored by Florida-the lowest of the eight teams in the field in Omaha.

.381…On-base percentage by the Gators-the lowest of the eight CWS competitors.

1…Complete game this season by the Florida pitching staff.  Alex Panteliodis got it last week when he struck out 12 in Florida’s 7-2 win over Miami in the Super Regional opener.

11…Saves by Kevin Chapman, who has made a staff high 30 appearances while holding opposing batters to a .183 average.

6…Florida position players who have started at least 25 games who are either freshmen or sophomores.

2…Freshmen, Brian Johnson (6-4) and Hudson Randall (8-3), who join the sophomore Panteliodis (11-2) in the weekend pitching rotation.

3.97 & .413…Johnson’s ERA and batting average this season.  The freshman has started 14 times on the mound as well as 26 games in the Gator line-up.

17 & 70…Team leading home runs and RBIs by freshman Austin Maddox, who has started 61 of his team’s 62 games this season.

.358 & 23…Team high batting average and stolen bases by Matt den Dekker, who is one of a handful of seniors on the team.  He has also hit 13 home runs and has scored a team best 64 runs.

.978…Team fielding percentage-the best of the eight CWS teams and 6th best in the nation.

ANALYSIS: The Gators don’t do anything particularly flashy, they are just good across the board and they find a way to win.  They’re battled tested with big SEC series wins, including the regular season finale vs. fellow CWS team South Carolina.   There’s a possible Omaha awe factor as well for the young Gators.

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The Dugout in Omaha has everything you’re looking for when it comes to officially licensed CWS hats and shirts!

CWS Bracket Two

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Tim Esmay

Arizona State Sun Devils (52-8)
Head Coach: Tim Esmay  (1st season)

#1…National seed.  The Sun Devils are one of just three national seed (along with UCLA and Florida) to make it to Omaha this year.

22…College World Series appearances by ASU-the third most all-time behind Texas (33) and Miami (23)

24…Consecutive wins by ASU to open the season.  They suffered their first loss on April 2nd with a 6-5 setback to Oregon in 12 innings.

134…Stolen bases by the Sun Devils-the most of any CWS team.  Drew Maggi leads ASU with 35 swipes.

14…NCAA leading triples hit by Pac 10 Player of the Year Zack MacPhee, who also leads the Sun Devils with a .679 slugging percentage.  MacPhee’s .394 batting average is second only to Riccio Torrez’s .399 avg.

33-3…Combined record of starting pitchers Merrill Kelly, Jake Borup and Pac 10 Pitcher of the Year Seth Blair.

7-2…The trios ASU record last year, with all the decisions courtesy of Blair.  Kelly is in his first year at ASU after transferring from Yavapai CC, while Borup made just eight appearances last year as a freshman.

0…Innings pitched this year by Josh Spence due to an elbow injury.  Spence was 10-1 with a 2.37 ERA for last year’s CWS team.  He was drafted in the third round of last year’s MLB draft by the Angels, but chose to return to ASU for his senior season.

0…Complete games by the ASU pitching staff.  They join Florida State as the only two staffs in Omaha without a CG this year.

23…Saves by Sun Devil pitchers-the most of any CWS team this season.  Jordan Swaggerty leads the way with 14, which is tied for the third most in the nation.

.239…Opponent batting average by the Sun Devil staff.  The mark is second only to UCLA’s CWS leading .219.

ANALYSIS: Arizona State brought plenty of confident teams to Omaha under former head coach Pat Murphy, but never brought home the big prize.  Under Tim Esmay the Sun Devils enter the CWS this year in circumstances similar to last year’s Cal State Fullerton team that was 5-0 in Regionals and Super Regionals, but went 0-2 in Omaha.  ASU still has the same swagger under Esmay as they head under Murphy, but can they finally go the distance with it?

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Jack Leggett

Clemson Tigers (43-23)
Head Coach: Jack Leggett  (17th season)

12…College World Series appearances by Clemson – the 11th most all-time appearances by a team.

43…Wins by the Tigers – the fewest of the eight CWS teams.

23…Clemson losses – the most of the field in Omaha.

20 & 20…Touchdown passes thrown and home runs hit by quarterback/outfielder Kyle Parker, who is the first such 20/20 two-sport athlete in Division One history.  The Colorado Rockies took Parker with the 26th pick in the first round of this year’s MLB draft.

4.72…Team ERA – the highest of this year’s CWS teams.

.280…Opponent batting average, which is also the highest of the eight pitching staffs in Omaha.

8.8…Runs a game scored by the Tigers, making them the highest scoring offense in Omaha this year.

17 & 23…Home runs hit and stolen bases by 3B John Hinson, who is also batting .345 with 72 RBIs.

15 & 85…Home runs and RBIs by OF Jeff Schaus, whose RBI total ranks fifth in the nation and is the most of any player at the College World Series.

7-2…Alex Frederick’s record on the mound.  The reliever has made just one start with a team high 30 appearances and is tied with starter Casey Harman (7-3) for the second most wins on the Tiger staff.

1…Complete game (tossed by Harman) by the Clemson pitching staff.

5…Tigers relievers, incuding Frederick, who have made at least 20 appearances this season.  Harman and Scott Weismann (8-2) have each made 17 starts and are the only Clemson pitchers without a relief appearance in 2010.

ANALYSIS: The Tigers hit and then hit some more, as evidenced by their 31 runs in their three Super Regional games vs. Alabama.  They scored at least 10 runs in a game 25 times this season, but how will they fair in their first round match-up against an Arizona State team that pitches, hits and plays defense?  ASU is going to put it in play and Clemson’s defense also ranks just 135th in the nation.

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Sunny Golloway

Oklahoma Sooners (49-16)
Head Coach: Sunny Golloway  (6th season)

10…College World Series appearances by the Sooners, who haven’t been to Omaha since 1995.  OU won the 1994 National Championship.

100…Home runs hit this season by Oklahoma – the most by any of the eight CWS teams and good for eighth in the nation.

65…Sac bunts by the Sooners, which is also the most by any of the eight CWS teams and good for seventh in the nation.

4…Home runs hit in OU’s two Super Regional wins over Virginia by Cody Reine.  The OF was 5-for-8 with 11 RBIs in the game two and three victories.  Five of his 10 HR this year have come in NCAA play.

95…Stolen bases by Oklahoma.  With five more swipes OU would join Coastal Carolina and Miami as the only three teams with at least 100 HR and 100 SB this season.

2…Straight wins by Oklahoma to close their Super Regional series after losing 3-2 to Virginia in the opener.  The Cavaliers hadn’t lost back to back games all season.

0…Runs allowed by the Sooners in their 11-0 Super Regional clinching win over UVA.  It’s their first shutout in NCAA play since 1992.

.371/16/64…Team best batting average, home runs and RBIs by Garrett Buechelle.  The sophomore is the son of 11-year MLB veteran Steve Buechelle.

.311/15/52…Batting average, home runs and RBIs by Cameron Seitzer.  The sophomore is the son of 12-year MLB veteran Kevin Seitzer.

.976…Team fielding percentage – tied with Arizona State for the second best fielding rate at the CWS.

5-0…Record of pitcher Jack Mayfield.  The freshman has made just three starts with 13 relief outings, but he has one of the pitching staff’s three complete games this year.

7 & 5…Wins and saves by Jeremy Erben, who leads the Sooners with 31 appearances, including 29 in relief.  Erben’s saves are second to Ryan Duke, who leads the team with 11.

540…Miles from OU’s campus in Norman, OK to Omaha, NE.  The number has been posted in the Sooner’s dugout all season.

ANALYSIS: Oklahoma took a page out of Virginia’s own book when it went on the road to beat the Cavs in last week’s Super Regional (as UVA did last year at Ole Miss).  The first round match-up vs. South Carolina’s Blake Cooper (see below) is an intriguing one.  Despite the big offensive numbers the Sooners have put-up this year they were shutout twice and scored just three runs in three games against the best pitchers they’ve seen so far: Texas.

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Ray Tanner

South Carolina Gamecocks (48-15)
Head Coach: Ray Tanner  (14th season)

9…College World Series appearances by the Gamecocks.  Their last appearance was in 2004.

3…Times (including this year) that South Carolina made it to Omaha in the same year as intrastate rival Clemson.  The two also appeared together at the CWS in 2002 and 1977.

2-0…South Carolina’s record vs. Clemson at the ’02 CWS – the only games between the two teams in Omaha.

12…Home runs hit and stolen bases by Whit Merrifield.  The junior leads his team in both categories and he’s the only Gamecock with double digit home runs and stolen bases.

13 & 70…Sacrifice bunts and runs scored by Merrifield - both tops in the SEC.

9…South Carolina players who have hit at least seven home runs and driven-in at least 28 runs in 2010.

15 & 52…Team leading doubles and RBIs by Adrian Morales.  The junior is batting .286.

.371…Team high batting average of Jackie Bradley, Jr., who had 51 RBIs entering the CWS.

12 & 118 1/3…Wins and innings pitched by Gamecock ace Blake Cooper, who leads the SEC in both departments.  The senior (12-1, 2.81 ERA) suffered his only loss of the season in his last start of the regular season to SEC regular season champion Florida.

4…Complete games pitched by the SC pitching staff – the most of the eight CWS teams.  Sam Dyson (5-5, 4.39 ERA) has tossed three of them, while Cooper has the other.

91…Combined relief appearances by Michael Roth (1-1, 1.50, 3 SV), Matt Price (3-1, 2.54, 10 SV) and Jose Mata (7-1, 2.34).  Roth is second in the SEC with 33 appearances, while Mata’s 31 are tied for third.

568…Strikeouts by the Gamecock pitching staff.  The total ranks third in the nation and is second only to UCLA’s 619 of the teams in Omaha.

ANALYSIS: Like SEC rival Florida, South Carolina is a team that lacks a lot of flash, but just gets it done.  Cooper is a bulldog who has gone up against the top pitchers in the SEC and lost just once all season.  While none of the other starters approach his production, the bullpen is deep enough to make the Gamecocks a legit threat.  Their Sunday match-up with OU could be the best of the four first round games.

THE FINAL RELEASE

Vanderbilt sophomore lefthander Richie Goodenow

With the Super-Regional round fast approaching, CB360 takes a look back at the Primetime Performers from the Regional Round that wrapped up on Tuesday during this condensed week. Coastal Carolina junior centerfielder Rico Noel (Lawton, Okla.) has been selected the national Primetime Player of the Week while Vanderbilt junior lefthander Richie Goodenow (Nashville, Tenn.) is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week. (front-page photo courtesy of Coastal Carolina)

Coastal Carolina junior centerfielder Rico Noel

It doesn’t get much more “primetime” than during NCAA Tournament play, with 104 high-stakes games played over the five-day stretch of June 4-8. Noel and Goodenow are joined by 19 others in comprising CollegeBaseball360.com’s latest installment of the Primetime Performer Honor Roll, which included a player from each of the 16 advancing teams (plus one each from the five runner-up teams that were playing on the road and forced a game-7 finale).

NOEL supplied his all-around game througout the regional, with Coastal Carolina serving as the host and top seed at BB&T Field in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Chanticlers battled back from a 16-6 loss vs. 2-seed College of Charleston (in the winners-bracket), winning three straight games to earn a spot in the Super-Regional round.

Coastal Carolina's Noel Rico (pictured in action earlier this season) batted 10-for-23 in the Myrtle Beach Regional with 7 RBI, 7 runs scored, a pair of home runs and 6 stolen bases. His 9th-inning, 2-run blast vs. College of Charleston took Coastal from the brink of elimination to a decisive Monday rematch (photo courtesy of Coastal Carolina).

Over the course of the five regional games, Noel patroled center field while batting .435 (10-for-23) from the 2-hole/leadoff spots. He factored into 12 of Coastal’s runs (7 RBI, 7 R, 2 HR). The speedy veteran swiped six bases during the regional, yielding a nation-leading 56 stolen bases for the season.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound righthanded hitter went 5-for-13 in three showdown games vs. Charleston (6-16; 8-7; 11-10, in 10) – highlighted by his 9th-inning home run as the Chanticleers were 2-outs away from elimination. That home run (his 11th of the season) came on a 1-2 pitch, with the ball sailing over the leftfield wall to turn a 1-run deficit into a 1-run win. His final line in that dramatic game also included batting 4-for-5 with 5 RBI and his 18th double of the season.

Noel collected three stolen bases in Monday’s clinching win, also batting 3-for-6 with a triple in that extra-inning finale. Earlier in the tournament, he helped post a pair of wins (6-0, 25-7) over a scrappy Stony Brook squad that upset 3rd-seed North Carolina State.

In addition to his 56 stolen bases, Noel ranks second on his team in season batting average (.348) and has motored home for a team-leading 81 runs, plus 62 RBI and 40 walks (.464 on-base pct.).

GOODENOW had been a solid lefthanded setup man for Vanderbilt throughout the 2010 season, making 28 appearances before being tabbed for his first start of the season in a pressure-packed situation. Homestanding and top-seeded Louisville was awaiting with a fresher and deeper pitching staff, along with a potent offense that ultimately finished the season with a .314 team batting average and 88 home runs.

Vanderbilt sophomore Richie Goodenow – typically a spot reliever and setup man – rose to the challenge in his first start of the season (second of career), fashioning a 2-hit shutout vs. the potent Louisville offense (7-0) that forced a decisive rematch. Goodenow had a pair of walks – but also rolled up two double-play balls – in facing only 29 batters during the 99-pitch complete game. (photo courtesy of Vanderbilt)

With his team needing to beat Louisville in that Sunday game (and again on Monday), Goodenow delivered a complete game that preserved the bullpen and set up the clinching Monday win. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefthander fashioned a 2-hit shutout (7-0) while facing only two batters over the minimum (29, with a pair of walks). He located 60 of 99 pitches for strikes, with 19 of his outs coming via strikeouts (5), groundballs (12, including pair of double-play balls) or infield popups (2).

A third-inning double represented the only Louisville batter who reached second base during the entire game.

Goodenow retired the first five batters he faced (four on strikeouts) before allowing a double by Cade Stalling (before a 4-3 groundout and F-9 flyout). Ryan Wright later was stranded after a 2-out walk in the 4th, with Goodenow then retiring seven straight before Andrew Clark’s leadoff walk in the 7th (followed by a 5-4 groundout and 4-6-3 double play).

The Cardinals’ fourth and final baserunner came in the 8th, when Josh Richmond sent a 1-out double up the middle but quickly was erased on a 4-6-3 double play.

Louisville’s #1 thru #6 hitters all went hitless (0-for-18 combined) during Goodenow’s masterpiece.

Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification/advancement; made significant contribution to team’s postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

The other 19 members of the CB360 Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll for the NCAA Regionals include (see capsules for each player at bottom of release): St. John’s fr. LF Jeremy Baltz (Vestal, N.Y.) … Virginia jr. DH John Barr (Ivyland, Pa.) … Washington State sr. 2B Cody Bartlett (Kent, Wash.) … UCLA so. RHP Trevor Bauer (Valencia, Calif.) … Arizona State sr. RF Kole Calhoun (Buckeye, Ariz.) … Cal State Fullerton jr. SS Christian Colon (Corona, Calif.) … South Carolina sr. RHP Blake Cooper (Neeses, S.C.) … Texas A&M jr. catcher Kevin Gonzalez (Houston, Texas) … Clemson jr. 3B  John Hinson (Asheville, N.C.) … College of Charleston jr. SS Jamie Holler (Rock Hill, S.C.) … Florida State so. 3B Sherman Johnson (Tampa, Fla.) … Texas so. RHP Taylor Jungmann (Temple, Texas) … Arkansas so. LF Collin Kuhn (Beaver Dam, Wis.) … Miami sr. 2B Scott Lawson (Grapevine, Texas) … TCU sr. RHP Steven Maxwell (The Woodland, Texas) … Alabama so. LHP Adam Morgan (Marietta, Ga.) … Oklahoma so. RF Cody Reine (Walker, La.) … Minnesota jr. RHP Seth Rosin (Shoreview, Minn.) … and Florid so. LF Tyler Thompson (Tequesta, Fla.).

The week-16 honorees ended up including at least one player from every position, with seven total pitchers (five RHPs and a pair of LHPs), three leftfielders, two shortstops, two third basemen and two rightfielders, plus a catcher, first baseman, second baseman, centerfielder and DH. The 21 selections feature five seniors, eight juniors, seven sophomores and the freshman Balyz. The honorees hail from 15 different home states, led by four from Texas and two each from California, Florida and South Carolina – plus one each from Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #16
(NCAA Regionals; June 4-8, 2010 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

JEREMY BALTZ (LF … #18)
St. John’s  •  Fr.
Vestal, NY  •  Vestal HS
6-3  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Power-hitting rookie (finished with 24 HR) who wrapped up impressive first season by batting 7-for-16 (.438) with 19 total bases (4 HR) and 13 times on-base (3BB-3HBP) spanning five regional games at Virginia, as 3rd-seed SJU reached the final game … racked up a 1.779 OPS (.591 on-base + 1.188 slugging pct.) at the regional, highlighted by 2-HR game in 6-5 win over the top seed/host Cavaliers … his 2-run blast in the bottom of the 8th of that game sent Red Storm from brink of elimination into Monday rematch (won by UVa, 5-3; Baltz had RBI 1B) … helped eliminate 2-seed Ole Miss (20-16; 1-for-3, RBI-2R-BB-2HBP), after homering in earlier 10-5 loss to the Rebels (2-for-3; 3RBI-2BB) … collected his other HR in 8-6 win over VCU (2RBI, HBP, sac-fly).

JOHN BARR (DH … #7)
Virginia  •  Jr.
Ivyland, PA  •  Germantown Academy
6-2  •  195

Provided bonus production from the 9-hole in key 13-7 winners-bracket game vs. 2-seed Mississippi (4-for-4, 4 RBI, 2B, HBP) … also had some timely offensive moments in pair of games vs. upstart St. John’s (R, BB in 6-5 loss … BB, HBP in 5-3 clinching win) … hit .500 in the four regional games (6-12; 5RBI-2R-2B-2BB-2HBP-SB), including 15-4 opener vs. Virginia Commonwealth (RBI-R-SB).

CODY BARTLETT (2B … #2)
Washington State  •  Sr./Jr.
Kent, WA  •  Kentwood HS
5-8  •  170  •  Bats: Right

Flashed his shortstop background with error-free showing (22 fielding chances) at the regional, also batting .381 (8-for-21) with several key plays from the 2-hole  … factored into 10 runs (4RBI-8R-2HR; 2BB) for 3rd-seeded Cougars squad that made run to regional’s final day … walked and scored twice in 10-7 win over top seed/host Arakansas, forcing the final game … helped knock off #2 seed Kansas State on opening day (9-6; 2-for-4, R-BB) and later smacked huge 8th-inning HR in elimination-game win over KSU (8-6; 3-for-5, 2RBI-3R) … also homered in winners-bracket loss vs. Arkansas (6-4;2-4, 2RBI-R) and had a single/run in 7-2 loss to the Razorbacks.

TREVOR BAUER (RHP … #47)
UCLA  •  So.
Valencia, CA  •  Hart HS
6-1  •  175

Came through in 6-3 winners-bracket victory over LSU, allowing only a single earned run (plus 2 UERs) in 8.0 strong innings … struck out 11 of the 33 batters he faced in that 121-poitch outings, with 7 hits allowed and a pair of walks.

KOLE CALHOUN (RF … #49)
Arizona State … Sr.
Buckeye, AZ  •  Yavapai JC/Buckeye HS
5-11  •  190  •  Bats: Left

Helped Sun Devils reach 50-win mark, following victories over Milwaukee (6-2) and Hawaii (12-1, 8-4) … homered in all three games (giving him 16 HR for the season) while reaching base seven times … factored into four runs vs. Milwaukee (3RBI-2R-HR; BB-HBP) … hit 2-for-4 to help close out Hawaii (BB).

CHISTIAN COLON (SS … #4)
Cal State Fullerton  •  Jr.
Corona, CA  •  Canyon HS
6-0  •  180  •  Bats: Right

Helped Titans win their 4th straight elimination game (9-5 clincher vs. Minnesota) – on the same day he was selected 4th overall in the MLB draft … hit .476 (10-for-21) while factoring into 15 runs (9RBI-8R-2HR) during the five regional games … top-seeded and host team Fullerton had been upset by Minnesota in opener (3-1) before staying alive with 6-5 win over 2-seed Stanford, with Colon homering twice in that key win (4RBI) … went 3-for-5 later that day to help eliminate New Mexico, 11-3 (2RBI-3R-2B-BB) … helped beat Minnesota on Sunday night (7-2; 2-for-4, BB) to force decisive 9-5 finale in which he went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored (2 2B, HBP).

BLAKE COOPER (RHP … #27)
South Carolina  •  Sr.
Neeses, SC  •  Edisto HS
5-10  •  180

Battle-tested veteran who delivered victory for his team in top pitching matchup opposite The Citadel’s ace Asher Wojciechowski, during 9-4 winners-bracket game … did not allow an earned run (4 UER) in game that saw Citadel holding a 4-2 lead entering the 7th … struck out 12 while allowing 6 hits and 3 walks over 7.1 innings, en route to boosting his season record to 11-1.

KEVIN GONZALEZ (C … #10)
Texas A&M  •  Jr.
Houston, TX  • Mayde Creek HS
5-10  •  195  •  Bats: Right

Veteran catcher who supplied bonus offense from the 8-hole, as 2nd-seeded Aggies reached final game in regional … launched huge solo HR in top of 9th vs. Dartmouth, as A&M rallied to avoid elimination with 4-3 comeback win … hit .389 (7-for-18) with an .889 slugging pct. (2 HR, 3 2B) in five games at the regional (5RBI-3R) … helped blow out surging 3-seed Florida International in 17-3 opener (2-for-5, 2RBI-R-HR) … went 2-for-5 with a double in 11-7 win over host team Miami and then 2-for-4 (2RBI-R-2B) in final game, a 10-3 loss to the ‘Canes.

RICHIE GOODENOW (LHP … #15)
Vanderbilt  •  Jr.
Nashville, TN  •  Overton HS
6-2  •  200

Setup man who rose to the occasion in his first start of the season with 2-hit shutout vs. top seed Louisville (7-0), helping his 2nd-seed team rally to beat the host team twice … faced only 29 batters (2 over the minimum) in masterful outing vs. potent Cardinals offense … issued only a pair of walks in the 99-pitch outing that includes 60 strikes thrown … 19 of his outs came via strikeouts (5), groundballs (12, including pair of double-play balls) or infield popups (2) – while a 3rd-inning double represented the only Louisville player that reached scoring position … held each of Louisville #1 thru #6 batters hitless (0-for-18 combined).

JOHN HINSON (3B … #4)
Clemson  •  Jr./So.
Asheville, NC  •  Reynolds HS
6-0  •  175  •  Bats: Left

Delivered clutch play at the hot corner (no errors) and from the 6-hole, batting .563 (9-for-16) with and 19 total bases (3HR-2B; 5RBI-5R-BB-HBP) for 2nd-seeded Clamson … turned in strong efforts during three games (10-1, 10-11, 13-7) vs. top seed Auburn (7-for-12, 4RBI-4R-2HR-2B-BB-HBP) … had a pair of singles and an RBI in winners-bracket game and closed 2-for-3 in clinching win (RBI-3R-HR-2B-BB-HBP) … helped team nearly win second game vs. Auburn (3-5, 2RBI-R-HR) … opened regional going 2-for-4 with a HR vs Southern Mississippi.

JAMIE HOLLER (SS … #4)
College of Charleston … Jr.
Rock Hill, SC  •  Sumter JC/Northwestern HS
6-0  •  170  •  Bats: Right

Slick fielder who made no errors in four regional games (22 fielding chances) while coming through with some timely offense from the 9-hole for 2nd-seeded Cougars … played lead role in 16-6 winnners-bracket victory over top seed and host Coastal Carolina (3-for-5, 2RBI-2R) … connected on a 2-out/2-run blast for his 4th HR of season in that win over CC … batted 7-for-14 in three games vs. Coastal (pair of 1-run losses, 8-7 & 11-10, in 10), factoring into 7 of his team’s runs (3RBI-5R-HR-2B) … also singled and scored in opening win over N.C. State (9-6).

SHERMAN JOHNSON (3B … #32)
Florida State  •  So.
Tampa, FL  •  Alonso HS
5-10  •  180  •  Bats: Left

Steady 2-hole hitter who helped Seminoles advance from a rare road regional, in Norwich, Conn. (11-3 vs. Central Connecticut; 6-4 and 5-3 vs. Oregon) … hit .417 (5-12) with a pair of HR and a double while factoring into seven of team’s runs (4RBI-5R) during the three games (2 BB, SB) … went 2-for-3 with his 8th HR of season in final win over the Ducks (2RBI-BB) … also homered and hit his 14th 2B in earlier win over Oregon (2R).

TAYLOR JUNGMANN (RHP … #26)
Texas  •  So.
Temple, TX  •  Georgetown HS
6-6  •  195

Closed out home regional with impressive outing that helped beat 2nd-seed Rice, 4-1 … faced only 25 batters (2 over the min.) in 7.2 innings, while improving to 7-3 for the season … allowed the lone run on 2 hits and 2 walks, with 7 strikeouts and 9 groundball outs in that 84-pitch outing.

COLLIN KUHN (LF … #25)
Arkansas  •  So.
Beaver Dam, WI  •  Beaver Dam HS
5-11  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Leadoff batter who blasted 4 home runs in the regional … hit 4-for-9 and factored into six runs (4RBI-3R-HR; 2 2B-BB-HBP) during pair of wins vs. Washington State (6-4 winners-bracket; 7-2 finale) … hit .412 (7-16) at the regional and had a hand in 11 of the team’s runs (7RBI-8R-4HR; 2 2B-3BB-2 HBP-SB), with the other games including 19-7 win over Grambling and 10-7 loss to WSU (16th HR of season) … went 3-for-5 with 2RBI-2R-HR-2B in the pivotal first win over the Cougars.

SCOTT LAWSON (1B … #2)
Miami  •  Sr.
Grapevine, TX  •  Grayson JC/Colleyville Heritage HS
5-10  •  185  •  Bats: Left

One of a handful of players across the nation with a 3-HR game during regional round, doing so from the 2-hole in 14-1 winners-bracket win over 2-seed Texas A&M … went 4-for-6 in that game while factoring into 7 of the Hurricanes runs (6RBI-4R-3HR) … hit .529 (9-17) with 22 total bases in the four regional games (6RBI-5R-4HR-2B-4BB), with a single, walk and two runs scored in 10-3 clinching win over A&M … opened regional batting 2-for-4 in 12-8 win over Dartmouth (3RBI-R-BB) and added another 2-for-4 game in 11-7 loss to A&M (HR-2B).

STEVEN MAXWELL (RHP … #4)
TCU  •  Sr./Jr.
The Woodlands, TX  •  The Woodlands HS
6-0  •  180

Veteran leader of strong 3-man rotation, delivering key victory in 9-0 winners-bracket game vs. Baylor … faced only 27 batters (3 over the min.) in 8.0 strong innings … struck out 10 while holding the Bears to 3 hits and a pair of walks in the 114-pitch outing.

ADAM MORGAN (LHP … #32)
Alabama  •  So.
Marietta, GA  •  Kell HS
6-1  •  180

Surging lefthander whose complete game sparked a regional-winning rally by 2nd-seeded ‘Bama … picked up the Sunday-night win (8-1) over top seed/host Georgia Tech, forcing the decisive game on Monday … faced only 33 batters in that 114-pitch outing (75 strikes), with only 5 hits allowed and a walk while totaling 9 strikeouts and 10 groundouts … limited GT’s #1 thru #5 hitters to a combined 3-for-19 batting.

RICO NOEL (CF … #1)
Coastal Carolina  •  Jr.
Lawton, OK  •  Lawton HS
5-9  •  170  •  Bats: Right

Talented all-around hitter from the 2-hole/leadoff spots, batting .435 (10-for-23) and factoring into 12 runs (7RBI-7R-2HR) during five regional games … hit 5-for-13 in three showdown games with the College of Charleston (6-16; 8-7; 11-10, in 10) – including the 9th inning, 1-out/2-run HR that won the middle game in dramatic fashion … racked up six stolen bases in the regional, pushing his season total to a nation-leading 56 … his big game in the 8-7 win over CofC included batting 4-for-5 with 5 RBI, his 11th HR of season and 18th 2B … came back next day to hit 3-for-6, triple score twice and collect 3 SBs in clinching win … also helped post pair of wins over scrappy Stony Brook squad (6-0, 25-7).

CODY REINE (RF … #11)
Oklahoma  •  So.
Walker, LA  •  Grayson JC/Walker HS
5-9  •  215  •  Bats: Left

Provided several key offensive plays from the 6-hole, as Sooners advanced with three 1-run wins (7-6 vs. Oral Roberts in 10; 7-6 vs. North Carolina in 10; and 3-2 vs. UNC) … his 7th-inning, 2-out single scored final run in finale vs. the Tar Heels … sparked 10th-inning rally vs. ORU with 1st-pitch/1-out single up the middle (went on to score winning run) … hit 2-for-5 with a sac.-bunt in crucial first win over UNC … batted 5-for-11 in the regional (2RBI-3R-HR-2BB-HBP-SAC).

SETH ROSIN (RHP … #29)
Minnesota  •  Jr.
Shoreview, MN  •  Mounds View HS
6-6  •  245

Shocked top seed and host team Cal State Fullerton with 8.0 dominating innings, as 4th seed Minnesota won its opening game at the regional (9-4) … allowed a single run on 3 hits and no walks, with 7 strikeouts and 6 groundouts among his 26 batters faced (2 over the min.).

TYLER THOMPSON (LF … #18)
Florida  •  So.
Tequesta, FL  •  Jupiter HS
6-1  •  190  •  Bats: Left

Platoon starter in left field who picked perfect time for best game of his career, leading the way regional clinching win over 2-seed Florida Atlantic (15-0) … batted 4-for-5 out of the 9-hole in that game, with his 3 home runs matching his career total entering the game … factored into 7 runs during that final win (6RBI-4R-3HR-2B) … tied program record for total bases (14) while becoming first Gator with 3HR in an NCAA Tournament game (his RBI 2B opened the scoring) … earlier hit 2-for-4 (R-3B) in 10-2 winners-bracket game vs. Oregon State.

* – Coastal Carolina’s Noel is the CB360 Primetime Player of the Week and Vanderbilt’s Goodenow the Primetime Pitcher of the Week … primary class years are based on academic standing (some players may have an extra year of eligibility)

So. Carolina Faces Virginia/Oklahoma Winner At CWS

Christian Walker's 8th inning home run helped South Carolina cap its two game sweep.

series sweep and clinch a spot in the College World Series. The Gamecocks are headed to Omaha for the first time since 2004.   Click the links below for more details.

By clicking the “Myrtle Beach Super Regional” title link above, this page will expand to fully support the table below.

CLICK HERE for our Super Regional Central page where you will find links to other Super Regionals.

Best 2-of-3 Super Regional Series
(CC’s Super-Regional Home Page)

• Saturday – 12 ET (ESPNU)
South Carolina 4,  at Coastal Carolina 3
Final Stats |  SC Recap |  CC Recap (w/ quotes)
Photos (SC)  |  Quotes (SC)

• Sunday – 1 ET (ESPN)
FINAL: South Carolina 10,  Coastal Carolina 9 |  Final Stats
CAR Recap | CC Recap

* South Carolina wins series (2-1)

CB360 Podcast interview with South Carolina’s Blake Cooper (from earlier this season).
CB360 Podcast interview with Coastal Carolina’s Rico Noel (recorded after Regionals).

THE SKINNY …

COASTAL CAROLINA (#4 National Seed)
(55-8 … 25-0/1st Big South … Big South Tournament champs)
Super-Reg. Notes |  Roster |  2010 Stats |  Media  Guide |  Quick Facts (preseason)
Big South Conf. info. – Homepage |  Weekly Release |  Conference Stats

Over the past four seasons, no team has won more games than Gary Gilmore and Coastal Carolina.  Including last weekend’s 4-1 Regional showing, the Chanticleers have won 202 games from 2007-present. Arizona State is right behind with 198 victories. Gilmore has taken players that were on other teams’ “B” lists and turned Coastal into a national player. The one thing missing from his resume is a trip to the College World Series.

The Chants are a rare combination of speed and power, with 107 home runs and 160 stolen bases. They are thought to be the only DI team to top 100 HRs and 150 SBs in the same season. Rico Noel (podcast link above) leads the nation with 56 swipes, while Scott Woodward has 54. Noel also has 11 home runs (including a walk-off shot to beat the College of Charleston in the Regional, with CC facing elimination) – making him one of six Chants with double-digit dingers. Catcher Jose Iglesias leads the way with 16 HR and 78 RBI.

The pitching is good, too, with jr. LHP Cody Wheeler (3.59 ERA; 12-0 record) and so. RHP Anthony Meo (2.63; 13-2) leading the rotation, backed by Ryan Connolly (2.08l 3-0), Austin Fleet (2.53; 8 saves; 6-1) and Matt Rein (2.70; 2 SV; 7-0) out of the bullpen.

Myrtle Beach Regional (CC results)
(1) Coastal Carolina 6,  (4) Stony Brook 0 | Final Stats
CC Recap | SB Recap

(2) College of Charleston 16,  (1) Coastal Carolina 6 |  Live Stats
CofC Recap |  CC Recap |  Quotes

(1) Coastal Carolina 25,  (4) Stony Brook 7 (elim. game)  | Final Stats
CC Recap | SB Recap

(1) Coastal Carolina 8,  (2) College of Charleston 7 |  Final Stats
CC Recap | CofC Recap

(1) Coastal Carolina 11,  (2) College of Charleston 10 (10 inn.) |  Final Stats
CC Recap (w/ video highlights) | CofC Recap

Awards/Honors:
• Jim Birmingham (LHP; Sr./Jr.) – 33rd-round MLB draft pick (S.F. Giants)
• Daniel Bowman (OF; So.) – Big South Tournament MVP
• Ryan Connolly (RHP; Fr.)– Freshman All-American (Collegiate Baseball) … 2nd team all-Big South
• Austin Fleet (RHP; 5th-Yr. Sr.) – 16th-round MLB draft pick (S.F. Giants)
• Chance Gilmore (OF; 5th-Yr.-Sr.) – 25th-round MLB draft pick (L.A. Dodgers) … Big South All-Tournament Team
• Gary Gilmore – Big South Coach of the Year
• Keith Hessler (LHP; Jr./So.) – 28th-round MLB draft pick (Arizona Diamondbacks)
• Jose Iglesias (C; Sr.) – Johnny Bench Award Finalist … 1st team all-Big South
• Tommy LaStella (2B; Jr./So.) – 1st team all-Big South
• Anthony  Meo (RHP; So.) – 2nd team All-American (Collegiate Baseball) … Big South Pitcher of the Year … Big South All-Tournament Team
• Taylor Motter (SS; So.) – 1st team all-Big South … NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
• Rico Noel (CF; Jr.) – 5th-round MLB draft pick (San Diego Padres) … 1st team all-Big South … NCAA Regional MVP
• Cody Wheeler (LHP; Jr.) – 2nd team All-American (Collegiate Baseball) … 5th-round MLB draft pick (Arizona Diamondbacks) … 1st team all-Big South … NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
• Rich Witten (DH; Jr./So.) – NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team … Big South All-Tournament Team
• Scott Woodward (3B; Jr.) – 15th-round MLB draft pick (Oakland A’s) … 1st team all-Big South … NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team

•  •  •

SOUTH CAROLINA
(46-15 … 21-9 SEC/#3-seed … 0-2 at SEC Tournament)
SC info. – Super-Reg. Notes •  PDF |  Roster |  2010 Stats |  Media Guide
SEC info. – Home Page (w/standings)  |  Weekly Release |  Conference Stats |  Media Guide

The Gamecocks became Omaha regulars from 2002-2004, but Ray Tanner’s squad hasn’t been back to Rosenblatt since that three-year stretch.

South Carolina doesn’t have nearly the eye-popping offensive numbers that Coastal Carolina boatss, but Jackie Bradley, Jr. (.367, 11 HR, 49 RBI) is one of eight SC players who have hit at least seven home runs. Whit Merrifield has 12 HR, while Adrian Morales leads the Gamecocks with 52 RBI.

Pitching is the strength of a team that was in the conversation for a national seed before going 0-2 at the SEC Tournament. Senior RHP Blake Cooper (podcast link above) is 11-1 with a 2.75 ERA. He is one of five Gamecock hurlers who have pitched at least 23 innings and have an ERA below 3.00.  Cooper is only 5-10, but he has a bulldog mentality in the mold of former Cy Young Winner David Cone.

Columbia Regional (SC results)

(1) South Carolina 9,  (4) Bucknell 5 |  Final Stats
SC Recap |  BUCK Recap

(1) South Carolina 9,  (3) The Citadel 4 |  Final Stats
SC Recap |  CIT Recap |  Photos |  Postgame Blog

(1) South Carolina 10,  (2) Virginia Tech 2 |  Final Stats
SC Recap |  VT Recap

Awards/Honors:
• Parker Bangs (RHP/UTIL; Jr.) – 31st-round MLB draft pick (K.C. Royals)
• Jackie Bradley, Jr. (CF; So.) – 2nd team all-SEC … SEC All-Drefensive Team … NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
• Blake Cooper (RHP; Sr.) – 3rd team All-American (Collegiate Baseball) … 12th-round MLB draft pick (Arizona Diamondbacks) … 1st team all-SEC … NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
• Sam Dyson (RHP; Jr.) – 4th-round MLB draft pick (Toronto Blue Jays)
• Kyle Enders (C; Sr.) – NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
• Bobby Haney (SS; Sr.) –22nd-round MLB draft pick (S.F. Giants)
• Evan Marzilli (LF; Fr.) – SEC All-Freshman Team … NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
• Whit Merrifield (RF/IF; Jr.) – 9th-round MLB draft pick (K.C. Royals)
• Adrian Morales (3B; Jr.) – NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
• Steven Neff (LHP; So.) – 23rd-round MLB draft pick (K.C. Royals)
• Matt Price (RHP; Fr.) – Freshman All-American (Collegiate Baseball) … 2nd team all-SEC … SEC All-Freshman Team
• Jordan Propst (RHP; Sr.) – 49th-round MLB draft pick (K.C. Royals)
• Brady Thomas (DH; Sr.) – NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
• Christian Walker (1B; Fr. ) – SEC All-Freshman Team
• Scott Wingo (2B; Jr.) – SEC All-Drefensive Team

Myrtle Beach Super Regional

A Look Around The Country At Saturday’s NCAA Action

• The hitting streak continues, but the season is over.  Garrett Wittels extended his hitting streak to 56 games in Florida International’s 15-9 loss to Dartmouth.  The loss eliminated FIU from the Coral Gables Regional.  That means Wittels will begin the 2011 season needing hits in his first two games to tie Robin Ventura for the all-time Division One record hit streak.
  

  Garrett Wittels (FIU photo)

• ““Teams are gonna know what to anticipate.  He likes to drive the ball away.  Look for some teams to try to different things next season.  Try busting him hard inside.  Nobody tried to do that.  We know he can push the ball into right center field, but can he turn on the ball?  I think that’s gonna be the test.”  That’s what ESPNU studio analyst Jay Walker had to say about Wittels and how other teams might approach him next year.  So let me get this straight…Wittels batted .409 this season, hit safely in 56 games, smacked 20 doubles, and came to the plate 237 times, but nobody ever challenged him inside once and he never once turned on the ball?  Great analysis Jay (I hope the sarcasm is detected)!  Anyone who hits in 56 straight and bats .400 over the course of the season is going to do it by going to all fields.  More great analysis by someone we’ve never heard of who probably saw all of eight of Wittels’ at-bats this season.
• Dartmouth clean-up batter Jason Brooks was 2-for-5 in the win over FIU with a grand slam and a total of 6 RBIs.  The win was the first for Dartmouth in the NCAA Tournament since 1987 and the first for the Ivy League since Princeton won a game in 2004.
• Not to be outdone, Illinois State got its first NCAA win in 34 years by downing St. Louis 8-3 in the Louisville Regional elimination game.  Kevin Tokarski homered and drove-in four.
  

  Anthony Rendon (Rice photo)

• Anthony Rendon jacked 3 HR and totaled 7 RBIs to lead Rice to a resounding 19-1 elimination game win over Rider at the Austin Regional.  With the Owls leading 11-0 Wayne Graham lifted starter Taylor Wall after 3 2/3 hitless innings.
• Southern Mississippi’s Taylor Walker was 4-for-4 with a home runs, 4 runs and 4 RBIs in an Auburn Regional elimination win over Jacksonville State.
• Matt Weisinger hit two of St. John’s‘ four home runs in Charlottesville to help the Red Storm eliminate VCU 8-6.
• Baylor beat Lamar 6-5 in Ft. Worth.  Logan Vick had his 29th extra base hit to set a freshman school record.
• Florida Atlantic had a season-high 18 hits to eliminate Bethune-Cookman with a 12-6 win in Gainesville.
• Buddy Sosnoskie belted two HR with 6 RBIs to help Virginia Tech beat Bucknell 16-7.
• Stony Brook eliminated North Carolina State with a 6-2 win in Myrtle Beach.  Sophomore Tyler Johnson (10-3) set a new Seawolves single-season record for wins.  Johnson notched 10 Ks in 8 IP.
• Tyler Garwal hit a walk-off home run to keep Oral Roberts‘ season going with a 9-8 win over Cal in Norman.  The Golden Eagles hit 4 HR and won despite walking 9 batters.
• Francis Larson hit his 25th career home run to help UC Irvine beat Kent State 19-9 in the L.A. elimination game.  Larson has now hit the most home runs in Anteater history.
  

  Neil Holland (UofL photo)

• Louisville’s 7-1 win over Vanderbilt set a program record with the 50th win of the season for the Cardinals.  Neil Holland got his 17th save with 3 shutout innings of one hit ball.
• How confident was Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell that his team could start Regional play 2-0?  Cardinal ace Thomas Royse (9-1, 2.91 ERA) did not start either of his team’s first two games.  He’ll start Sunday, which is the final game of McDonnell’s 3-game suspension.
• Mike Olt is UConn’s all-time home run (44) and RBI (177) leader after belting two long balls with a career-best 8 RBIs as the Huskies routed Central Connecticut State 25-5.  UConn now faces Oregon, which lost 6-4  to Florida State.
• Rain and lightening caused two hours and 28 minutes of delay, but Miami cruised to a 14-1 win over Texas A&M.  Hurricane 1B Scott Lawson was 4-for-6 with 3 HR and 6 RBIs.
• Danny Hultzen gave-up 6 earned runs in 6 IP, but still improved to 10-1 as Virginia beat Ole Miss. 13-7.  The Cavaliers tied a school record with their 49th win.
• Mike Ferraro was 4-for-6 with a home run, two doubles and 6 RBIs to lead San Diego to a resounding 22-1 elimination game win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Tempe.
• Here’s a lesson to the kids at home: ALWAYS RUN IT OUT.  Stanford’s Colin Walsh hit a fairly routine fly ball to left field, but Cal State Fullerton’s Casey Watkins dropped it.  Walsh motored all the way to third on the play and scored on a single by Stephen Piscotty.  The Titans still won 6-5 thanks to a pair of 2-run home runs by Christian Colon.
• Stanford goes 0-2 at the Fullerton Regional.  It’s just the second time Stanford has gone two and out in Regional play.  The last time it happened was in 1994 in Austin, TX.
• There were a total of seven upsets on Saturday.  Five #4 seeds won, with three of those wins vs. #2 seeds.  Two #1 seeds lost to #2 seeds.
• Minnesota is the Cinderella of the Regionals so far.  The fourth-seeded Golden Gophers downed #3 New Mexico 6-4 in 10 innings the Fullerton winner’s bracket game to go to 2-0.
• Scott Matyas struckout 8 in three scoreless, hitless innings of relief to improve to 5-1.
• Eight of Saturday’s Regional games were decided by double digits.
• Citadel’s 1-3 batters combined to go just 2-for-12 in their 9-4 loss to South Carolina.  The Gamecocks used a 5-run 7th inning to take the win.
• Starting pitchers Blake Cooper (11-1) of South Carolina and Asher Wojciechowski (12-3) of The Citadel combined for 23 strikeouts and just 4 walks.
  

  Trevor Bauer (UCLA photo)

• Trevor Bauer had 11 strikeouts to lead UCLA to a 6-3 win over defending national champion LSU in the L.A. winner’s bracket game.  Anthony Ranaudo had 10 Ks in the loss.
• The Bruins (45-13) tied a program record for most wins in one season.  It equals the win total from the Bruins’ 1997 team (45-19-1), which was the last UCLA program to go to the College World Series.
• Junior Casey Harman tossed the first complete game of his career to help #2 seed Clemson topple #1 Auburn 5-2  in Auburn.  Harman scattered five hits with 8 strikeouts.
• Arizona State’s Seth Blair is 12-0 after giving-up just a run in 7 IP as the overall #1 seeded Sun Devils rolled Hawaii 12-1.
• Joe Weik smacked two home runs and had a career-high 6 RBIs to help TCU down Arizona 11-5.  The Horned Frogs improve to 48-11 to tie the school record for wins in a season.
• TCU pitchers Matt Purke (13-0) and Tyler Lockwood combined for 10 strikeouts, making TCU 21-0 when its pitchers have at least 10 Ks in a game.

A Rundown Of Tourney Participants We’ve Talked To

Garrett Wittels-Florida International

Chad Arnold-Washington State

Bryant Cotton-St. Louis

Danny Brock-St. Louis

Jim Wren-Dartmouth

Blake Cooper-South Carolina

Max Willett-New Mexico

Justin Howard-New Mexico

B.A. Vollmuth-Southern Mississippi

Pierre LePage-UConn

Thomas Royse-Louisville (Video)

Dan McDonnell-Louisville (Video)

Dave Esquer-Cal (Video)

George Horton-Oregon (Video)

MORE

NCAA Selection Committee Chair Tim Weiser

TCU Regional-Stephen Francis