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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!

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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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Magic Continues For Defending Champs…

CWS Finals Game 1: South Carolina 2-7-1 def. Florida 1-8-3
Final Stats | FL Recap | SC Recap

Florida starting pitcher Hudson Randall

Fifteen was the lucky number for South Carolina on Monday night at the 2011 College World Series.

Thirteen was not Hudson Randall‘s lucky number Monday night. The Florida starting pitcher had walked just 12 batters in 123 1/3 innings heading into the eighth inning of the College World Series Finals vs. South Carolina, but with he issued his 13th walk of the year to Peter Mooney to start the inning and it cost him in South Carolina’s 2-1 victory in 11 innings.

The Gamecocks tied Texas by winning their 15th straight NCAA Tournament game. The Longhorns won 15 in a row in 1983 and ’84.  South Carolina also tied USC (1972-’74) and LSU (1996-’98) with their 10th straight win at the CWS.

Randall, who was nursing a 1-0 lead after seven innings, had been dominant all night, having retired 18 of the previous 19 Florida batters (including 10 straight) and allowed just a pair of hits heading into the inning. In two starts vs. South Carolina this season, Randall totaled 16 2/3 IP, 10 strikeouts and allowed just eight hits with one walk.

Robert Beary followed Mooney’s walk with a sacrifice bunt to move him into scoring position. The shortstop then moved to third base on a flyout to centerfield by Evan Marzilli. Mooney scored when Scott Wingo sent a 2-2 pitch from Randall up the middle and into centerfield.

“Well, (Hudson) Randall, he had my number all night,” Wingo said after the game. “And that last at-bat I think I swung through two sliders, and I just said to myself: Stay late if I get beat  inside I get beat inside and he threw another curveball and I was able to hit it up the middle.”

Wingo’s hit snapped a 1-for-12 slump against the Gators this season. It was also his first hit since his game-winner against Texas A&M in South Carolin’s CWS opener nine days ago.

In a season and a series where runs have been at a premium, it was only fitting that both teams manufactured their runs. Florida scored the first run of the game in the third inning when Cody Dent‘s sacrifice fly scored Tyler Thompson, who had advanced to third base after a wild pitch by South Carolina starter Forrest Koumas.

The Gators looked like they had the game in hand in the bottom of the 9th inning when Mike Zunino worked a leadoff walk against John Taylor, who was facing his first batter in his 49th appearance of the year out of the Gamecock bullpen.

Brian Johnson failed to bunt Zunino to second, but got him all the way to third base when he ripped a 2-2 pitch into right field for a single. The action really started after an intentional walk to Josh Adams to load the bases.

With the infield in, Wingo dove to his right to snare a chopper off the bat of Tyler Thompson. Wingo jumped to his feet and fired to the first base side of the plate, but Beary was able to grab it and step on the plate for the force out and the first out of the inning.

With the infield still in, Daniel Pigott hit a hard hop right to Wingo, who this time fired a strike to Beary who then relayed to Christian Walker at first base to turn the 4-2-3 double play and send the game to extra innings.

“We needed to elevate the ball there, and to  their credit Wingo makes a great play,” said Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan. “And then Beary makes a great snag at the plate on the short hop and obviously they pick it to ground out the double play that was probably the most pivotal part of the game we probably needed to do something that inning unfortunately we didn’t you have to credit South Carolina they made the pitches and made the plays.”

Christian Walker played Monday despite a broken bone in his left hand.

Florida had a chance to win it again in the bottom of the 10th inning with two outs and Dent at second base. Zunino broke a 2-for-15 slump at the CWS when he lined a hit to left field. Dent was racing toward home on contact, but South Carolina left fielder Jake Williams gunned him out at the plate.

South Carolina scored the winning run in the top of the 11^th when Christian Walker made a mad dash around the bases. Walker singled to lead-off the inning, stole second, took third base on a throw by Zunino that went into center field, and then scored when Bryson Smith’s errant throw skipped into the stands.

Walker was playing in the game despite suffering a broken bone in his left hand during Friday’s win over Virginia. He said he wasn’t sure himself if he would be able to take the field for the game.

“You know I knew it was going to take a lot of pain specifically for me not to play.  For the last half of yesterday I think I didn’t think I was going to be able to play. But you know, they came out and really — I mean, I’m speechless about it. And they did a great job. And I mean, I can’t thank them enough.”

Florida had a chance to at least tie it when Brian Johnson led-off the bottom of the 11th with a single, but after pinch-runner Paul Wilson replace him on the bases, South Carolina reliever Matt Price recorded the final three outs for his 19th save of his sophomore season. He is tied for the national lead with Corey Knebel of Texas.

Price was coming off a 5 2/3 inning, 95 pitch relief appearance on Friday in South Carolina’s 3-2 win in 13 innings vs. Virginia.

South Carolina can win a second straight national championship with a win over Florida Tuesday night. The Gators hope to force a third game of the CWS Finals if they can snap the Gamecocks’ 15-game NCAA streak on Tuesday.

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Notes

• Florida was 46-0 this season when leading after seven innings heading into the game. South Carolina is now just 7-13 when trailing or tied after seven innings.

• South Carolina played its second straight CWS extra innings game. Four of their last night games in Omaha have gone to extras…they are 4-0 in those games.

• Florida was just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position in the game. The lone hit saw Dent thrown out at the plate with the potential winning run.

• The Gamecocks have allowed just three earned runs in their four CWS games this year.

• South Carolina has won seven of its 15 straight NCAA Tournament games by one run, including three of its four wins this week.

• Ray Tanner’s “battling” squad also escaped two bases loaded situations in Friday’s 3-2 win over Virginia.

• The Gamecocks will be the home team in Tuesday’s game.

• Monday’s attendance was25,851,  making the total 2011 CWS attendance 294,963, for an average of 22,689.

CLICK HERE to see the CB360 Shutterfly photo page with shots of every team and most games from this year’s College World Series (All photos by Kirk Markus).

Florida's Tyler Thompson scored the first run of the game in the third inning.

Gamecocks catcher Robert Beary tags out Cody Dent at the plate.

Christian Walker slides safely into third base after Mike Zunino's overthrow at second allowed him to advance...

Walker scores the eventual game-winning run after another overthrow at third base.

Big SEC Series Headlines Weekend Action…

Here’s a look at some of this weekend’s action(all rankings are based on the latest College Baseball 360 Composite National Rankings).

CLICK HERE for Friday’s College Baseball 360 Top 50 Matchup/Scoreboard coverage page.

Click this link to find out how to save 50-75% on college baseball caps and 2010 College World Series gear and memorabilia at Dugouthats.com!!

#3 Vanderbilt (31-3, 10-2 SEC) @ #4 South Carolina (26-6, 10-2 SEC)

Christian Walker

The new bat standards have made many college offenses look quite mortal this season, but not these two powers. Christian Walker (.344, 7 HR, 37 RBIs, 1.031 OPS) leads the offensive charge for the defending national champion Gamecocks. Jackie Bradley, Jr.’s average sits at .286, but he’s still belted 6 HR as well. Vanderbilt’s balanced offensive attack is hitting .316, with seven players who have started at least 20 games batting .303 or better. Anthony Gomez (.379), Jason Esposito (.320) and Curt Casali (.319) share the team RBI lead with 27 each. Aaron Westlake (.397, 5 HR, 25 RBIs) has been the top overall Commodore hitter. The Friday pitching match-up is one to see. South Carolina send 2010 College World Series hero Michael Roth (7-1, 1.25 ERA) to the mound, while Vandy counters with Sonny Gray (7-1, 1.54 ERA). The two teams have closers who have been lights-out as well. Commodore Navery Moore has a ridiculous 0.46 ERA with 7 saves in 18 appearances, while the Gamecocks counter with Matt Price (3-2, 2.82 ERA, 10 saves). SC set-up man John Tayler is 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 29 1/3 IP.

Oklahoma (25-8, 6-5 Big 12) vs. Oklahoma State (26-8, 8-4 Big 12)

Dane Phillips

Bedlam. That’s what they call it when these two programs get together, and it should be no different when they square-off this weekend. For years Oklahoma State was the perennial baseball power in the Sooner State, but it’s Oklahoma that’s coming-off a trip to Omaha. However, OSU is back on track in 2011. The Cowboys need three wins to match their overall 2010 win total and they already have as many wins in conference play as they did last year. The series features a pair of .400 hitters. Dane Phillips (.404, 3 HR, 26 RBIs, 1.096 OPS) leads the Oklahoma State offense and Garrett Buechele (.401, 7 HR, 42 RBIs, 1.046 OPS) tops an OU that’s batting .330. Brad Propst (6-1, 1.25 ERA) tossed his (and OSU’s) second complete game of the season in last week’s sweep of Missouri. Michael Rocha (7-1, 1.02 ERA, 2 CG) fronts the Oklahoma staff. Game one of the series in in Tulsa, with the last two games are in Oklahoma City.

#13 Oregon State (24-7, 5-1 Pac-10) at #16 Stanford (16-9, 3-3 Pac-10)

Mark Appel

Stanford’s record is anything but spectacular, but the Cardinal has played some pretty spectacular competition so far. Consider this, Stanford Friday starter Mark Appel is just 2-3, but he has gone head-to-head with Vanderbilt’s Sonny Gray and Taylor Jungmann of Texas. Both are expected to be high first round draft picks in June. It won’t get much easier for Appel this weekend when he faces OSU’s Sam Gaviglio (6-1, 1.34 ERA, 3 CG). Both pitching staffs are solid, but neither has “strikeout” pitchers. The Stanford staff has a 3.28 ERA with 116 Ks and 85 BB in 217.0 IP, while the Beavers have 228 punchouts and 79 walks in 277 2/3 innings. Oregon State has 33 sac bunts, compared to just 13 home runs. Andrew Susac (.364, 25 RBIs) and Parker Berberet (.256, 27 RBIs) share the team lead with 4 HR each. Stanford has gone yard just 14 times.  Kenny Diekroger (.373) has the top Cardinal average, while Brian Ragira (.304, 3 HR, 24 RBIs) is the RBI leader. In a series where a lot of balls will be put in play defense could be the x-factor. Oregon State has a slight edge with a .973 fielding percentage, compared to Stanford’s .965.

Click Here to read more about this series.

#22 Arizona (22-11, 4-5 Pac-10) @ #25 UCLA (17-11, 7-2 Pac-10)

Kurt Heyer

This sneaky series features three of the top power pitchers in the country, let alone the Pac-10. UCLA’s Trevor Bauer (6-1, 1.67 ERA) and Gerrit Cole (4-2, 1.74 ERA) don’t sneak-up on anyone, but Arizona’s Kurt Heyer (5-1, 1.38 ERA) also checks-in with 80 strikeouts in 65.0 innings pitched as well. Bauer leads the nation with 97 strikeouts, Heyer’s 80 ranks third and Cole’s 64 Ks is 13th. Arizona’s .342 team batting average has defied the national offensive downward trend. The Wildcats, led by Joey Rickard (.428) and Cole Frenzel (.408) took two of three last weekend from Cal against, arguably, the second-best pitching staff in the Pac-10, but they’ll face the top staff in the conference this week. UCLA has struggled to score enough runs to support its vaunted hurlers in 2011. The Bruins have actually brought their team batting average up to .258 in recent weeks, but they’ve still managed to win their first three conference series against USC, Washington and Washington State. Dean Espy (.318) is the only UCLA regular batting over .300.

We have finally made it around the infield. After this list of first basemen, we only have pitchers and outfielders remaining as we continue to look at some of the top players in the country at each position.

1. Paul Hoilman – East Tennessee State

Hoilman went from good as a sophomore in 2009 to great in 2010. The 6’4, 230 pound slugger hit .380 with 17 home runs, 19 doubles, 66 RBIs and a .740 slugging percentage in ’09.  He elevated those numbers to a .421 avg., 25 HR, 24 doubles, 84 RBIs, and a Division One-leading .860 slugging percentage last year. Hoilman had a Ruthian 1.386 OPS for the season, while his home run total tied for fifth in the nation. He won the inaugural TD Ameritrade Home Run Derby in July when he hit seven home runs in his first 11 swings in the contest at Rosenblatt Stadium. Hoilman received All-American accolades and was also named the 2010 Atlantic Sun Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was drafted in the 49th round last June by the Tampa Bay Rays, but opted to return for his senior season at ETSU.

2. Jordan Ribera – Fresno State

Ribera finished second to Hoilman at the TD Ameritrade Home Run Derby. He came absolutely out of nowhere in 2010 to become one of the premiere power hitters in the country. His junior season included a .343 average with 20 doubles, 69 RBIs and a nation-leading 27 home runs. He also sported a healthy 1.187 OPS. That from a player who hit just nine home runs in 2008 and 2009 combined. Ribera was named WAC Player of the Year and also earned All-American honors from four different publications for his efforts. The 6’0, 220 pound senior is one of the few remaining players from Fresno State’s 2008 National Championship team.

3. Ricky Oropesa – USC

While Hoilman and Ribera are both more pure first basemen, Oropesa is one of several players on this list who play both 1B and 3B. Now a junior, Oropesa led the Trojans last year in the following categories: Batting average-.343, HR-20, RBIs-67, Doubles-22, Runs-53, Hits-83, Total Bases-167 (next closest was 87), Slugging % – .711, OBP-.434, Stolen Bases- 7, and BB – 33. He was a Freshman All-American in 2009 and earned All-Pac-10 Conference and All-American accolades in ’10 for a 28-32 Trojan team. Oropesa was a 24th round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox coming out of high school in 2008.

4. Nick Ramirez – Cal State Fullerton

Ramirez is one of the top two-way players in the nation. It showed last year when the sophomore hit .346 with 17 home runs, with team-highs of 28 doubles and 75 RBIs. He also recorded 11 saves (and made one start) with a 3.50 ERA as Fullerton’s closer. His efforts made him a finalist for the inaugural John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award and also garnered All-Big West first team and All-American honors. Ramirez also played for the USA Collegiate National Team last summer, with two HR and 16 RBIs, along with a save and a 1.59 ERA in 5 2/3 IP. Titan head coach Dave Serrano also served as his pitching coach for Team USA.

5. Riccio Torrez – Arizona State

Torrez could be the top all-around athlete on this list. He started 56 games at first base last year, while his now graduated brother, Rauol Torrez, played third base. He won the Pac-10 batting crown with his .393 average, and also had 10 home runs with a team-best 27 doubles, 54 RBIs, 65 runs, and 20 stolen bases. Torrez committed just four errors for a .992 fielding percentage and was hit by pitch a Pac-10 leading 25 times. His efforts earned First Team All-Pac-10 and Third Team All-American honors, while helping the Sun Devils to their second straight College World Series. With his brother gone, Torrez is expected to also see time at third base in 2011.

6. Barrett Barnes – Texas Tech

Barnes got his college career off to a fast start and he never really cooled down last year. He was 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs on opening day, enroute to being named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year.  He also became just the fifth Texas Tech player to ever receive Freshman All-American honors in 2010. Barnes had team-highs with a .341 average, .641 slugging percentage, 14 home runs, and 71 runs. He also had 19 doubles and 12 stolen bases. His 71 runs were the second-most in the Big 12, while his 14 HR were the most by a Red Raider freshman since 1986 (he was the only TT player with double digit long balls). Barnes helped the Falmouth Commodores to a second place finish in the Cape Cod League over the summer.

7. Christian Walker – South Carolina

Walker’s 2010 freshman season was one to remember. His three-run Super Regional home run against Coastal Carolina on June 13 sent the Gamecocks to the College World Series, but Walker didn’t stop there. He was named to the CWS All-Tournament Team after helping South Carolina win its first National Championship. Walker batted .327 with nine home runs and 51 RBIs in 2010. He also batted a team-best .346 in SEC action, while striking out just 18 times in 226 at-bats-the fewest of any USC batter with at least 100 ABs during the ’10 campaign. Walker was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and earned Freshman All-American honors.

8. Mike Nemeth – Connecticut

Nemeth’s junior season at UConn was a career-best for him as well as a program-best for his team. Nemeth was solid in his first two years for the Huskies, with a .314 batting average, six home runs and 76 total RBIs. He put those to shame though in 2010, batting .386 with 84 RBIs (both team-highs), 15 home runs and 20 doubles to help the Huskies to a school-record 48 wins and an NCAA Regional berth. He was also one of three UConn regulars to start and play in a program-topping 64 games. Nemeth sported an 1.120 OPS, while striking out just 24 times with 38 walks in 254 at-bats. He also played for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod League over the summer. Nemeth is part of a nucleus of returnees that includes George Springer and Matt Barnes who will try to take UConn even farther in 2011.

9. Nate Woods – Belmont

The 6’6 senior had a junior year to remember in 2010. Woods set Belmont school records with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs, while batting .319 to earn All-Atlantic Sun honors. It was also his first full season as an everyday starter. Woods had his 2009 season cut short due to injury after starting 35 times as an A-Sun All-Freshman performer in 2008. He has also made 30 starts on the mound over his first three seasons in Nashville, including 13 last year with a 5-6 record. The 2011 Preseason All-American was drafted in the 28th round of the 2007 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Cedar Rapids, IA.

10. Nick O’Shea – Minnesota

As a redshirt sophomore, O’Shea was the top run producer for the Big Ten champion Golden Gophers. He hit .334 with team-highs of 13 home runs and 60 RBIs to help Minnesota win its conference tournament and the Fullerton NCAA Regional bid that came with it. O’Shea was one of three Gophers to start all 62 of his team’s games in 2010. He scored 44 runs with 19 doubles to land on the All-Big Ten First Team. After a redshirt 2008 season, the Blaine, MN native hit 11 HR with 44 RBIs to earn Freshman All-American honors in 2009.

11. Cameron Seitzer – Oklahoma

Seitzer’s breakout 2010 season helped Oklahoma reach the promised land at the College World Series. He batted .323 with three home runs and 14 RBIs before his season ended with a broken wrist in 2009. Things went much better last year when Seitzer hit .305 with 16 home runs, 15 doubles and 53 RBIs. Seitzer’s .600 slugging percentage was second on his team to third baseman Garrett Buechele’s .630. His .431 OBP was helped by being hit by pitch a team-high 20 times. Like Buechele, Seitzer comes from good lineage. He is the the son of 12-year MLB veteran Kevin Seitzer (Buechele’s dad is 11-year MLB vet Steve Buechele).

Others To Watch…

Alex Aurrichio – Columbia

Troy Channing – St. Mary’s

Ryan Durrence – Bethune-Cookman

Dean Espy – UCLA

Kelvin Freeman – North Carolina A&T

Jonathon Griffin – Central Florida

Brian Johnson – Florida

Max Muncy – Baylor

Jerrud Sabourin – Indiana

Doug Schribman – Bucknell

Matt Snyder – Ole Miss

Aaron Westlake – Vanderbilt

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Dugouthats.com has officially licensed 2010 College World Series memorabilia year round!

From t-shirts and caps to limited edition prints commemorating the last CWS ever played at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. Dugouthats.com also always  hats of your favorite college teams like LSU, Texas, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, UCLA, South Carolina, Miami and more.

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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.

South Carolina is the 2010 National Champion, after beating UCLA 2-1 to claim the program’s first College World Series title. Here’s a look at the 2010 CWS All-Tournament Team:

CWS MOP Jackie Bradley, Jr.

First Base – Christian Walker (South Carolina)

Second Base – Cody Regis (UCLA)

Shortstop – Taylor Featherston (TCU)

Third Base – John Hinson (Clemson)

CF – Jackie Bradley, Jr. (South Carolina)

CF – Beau Amaral (UCLA)

LF – Evan Marzilli (South Carolina)

DH – Brady Thomas (South Carolina)

LH Pitcher – Matt Purke (TCU)

RH Pitcher – Trevor Bauer (UCLA)

Coaches Jack Leggett and Ray Tanner share postgame thoughts. … Clemson players Mike Freeman and Casey Harman discuss their performances … South Carolina players Christian Walker and Whit Merrifield discuss their big game.

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.

(Full Release)

Oklahoma sophomore rightfielder Cody Reine

Two sophomores who helped take their teams to Super-Regional series wins on the road are the featured individuals on the latest edition of CB360’s exclusive Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll, for the NCAA Super-Regional round spanning games played on June 11-14. (front-page photo courtesy of Oklahoma)

TCU sophomore righthander Kyle Winkler

Oklahoma rightfielder Cody Reine (Walker, La.) is the Primtime Player of the Week and TCU righthander Kyle Winkler (Sugar Land, Texas) the Primetime Pitcher of the Week, with 11 others joining them on the Primtime Honor Roll (as selected by CollegeBaseball360.com). Reine and Winkler headline the 17th installment of the CB360 Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll, which includes 11 other players who helped carry their teams to the College World Series (or, in a few cases, to the brink of advancing).

CLICK HERE for the Primetime Honor Roll archive (scroll down on that page for the 16 previous Honor Roll releases).

REINE – who also was a CB360 Primetime Honor Roll selection following the NCAA Regional round – showed that he packs plenty of power into his 5-9, 215-pound frame, as the lefthanded-hitting cleanup hitter posted a pair of 2-HR games while sparking Oklahoma to the Super-Regional series win at #5 national seed Virginia (2-3, 10-7, 11-0). During the two wins, Reine racked up 11 RBI and hit 5-for-8 (plus a walk) while batting in the #5 spot.

Oklahoma sophomore rightfielder Cody Reine homered twice in the series-tying win of the Super Regional at #5 national seed Virginia ... and he matched the 2-HR feat one day later, in the decisive third game (photo courtesy of Oklahoma).

In the Super-Regional opener, Virginia ace Danny Hultzen limited Reine (batting cleanup) and six other Oklahoma starters to 0-1 hits, but Reine’s power stroke quickly put the Sooners back in the series. He drove in half of his team’s runs (5 of 10) in the game-2 win, starting with a 3-run blast in the 1st inning (0-1 pitch from Robert Morrey) as OU claimed an early 4-2 cushion.

Five innings later, with the Sooners holding a 6-4 lead, Reine jumped on a 1-1 pitch from Cody Winiarski and drove the ball over the fence in right-center for another 2-run shot.

The deciding game saw Reine rise up for 6 RBI, including a 1st-inning home run for the second straight day (this 3-run blast came with 2-outs, on a 1-0 pitch from Branden Kline).  He added another 3-run HR in the 8th, as OU inched closer to Omaha.

Reine is batting .341 for the season, with 42 RBI and 10 home runs.

WINKLER was placed into a pressure-packed spot for game-3 of the Super-Regional series at #2 national seed Texas. Not only did he have the chance to pitch TCU to the program’s first CWS trip, but such a victory would come against the in-state rival that had knocked off the Horned Frogs one year earlier in the same Super-Regional round.

TCU sophomore Kyle Winkler delivered a clutch game-3 outing at #2 national seed Texas, logging 7.2 shuout innings as the Frogs won (4-1) to secure the program's first College World Series trip (photo courtesy of TCU).

With so much riding on his shoulders – and Texas talented #3 starter Brandon  Workman opposing him – Winkler met the challenge head-on by working into the 8th while Workman (5IP-R-4H-4K) was forced out three innings earlier. The TCU sophomore was the much-deserved pitcher of record in the historic 4-1 victory, after limiting Texas to 5 hits and 3 walks in his 7.2-inning shutout stint (he struck out six 0f his 32 batters faced, during the 112-pitch outing).

Winkler will enter the College World Series with a 2.84 season ERA and 12-1 record in 17 starts this season, plus 90 strikeouts, 33 walks and 103 hits allowed (.242 opp. batting avg.) in 114 innings pitched.

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 11 members of the CB360 Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll for the NCAA Regionals include (see capsules for each player at bottom of release): Vanderbilt jr. DH Curt Casali (New Canaan, Conn.) … Florida State so. 3B Sherman Johnson (Tampa, Fla.) … Arizona State so. LHP Mitchell Lambson (Tualatin, Ore.) … Florida so. LHP Alex Panteliodis ( Tampa, Fla.) … TCU fr. LHP Matt Purke (Spring, Texas) … UCLA so. 2B Tyler Rahmatulla (Mission Viejo, Calif.) …UCLA jr. LHP Rob Rasmussen (Arcadia, Calif.) … Clemson fr. 1B Richie Shaffer (Charlotte, N.C.) … Oklahoma jr. RHP Bobby Shore (Oceanside, Calif.) … Alabama sr. 3B/RHP Jake Smith (Shannon, Ala.) … and South Carolina fr. 1B Christian Walker (Limerick, Pa.).

The week-17 honorees include four impressive lefthanded pitchers (Lambson, Panteliois, Purke and Rasmussen), along with righthanders Winkler and Shore, the two-way talent Smith (3B/RHP), a pair of first basemen (Shaffer and Walker), second baseman Rahmatulla, third baseman Johnson, rightfielder Reine and DH Casali. The 13 selections feature the lone senior Smith, three juniors (Casali, Rasmussen and Shore), six sophomores (Reine, Winkler, Johnson, Lambson, Panteliodis and Rahmatulla), and the freshman trio of Purke, Shaffer and Walker.

The honorees hail from nine different home states, including a pair of players (Johnson and Panteliodis) who were teammates at Alonso High School in Tampa, Fla. There also are three California products – Shore and UCLA teammates Rahmatulla and Rasmussen – along with two who have Texas hometowns (Winkler and Purke), plus one each from: Alabama (Smith), Connecticut (Casali), Louisiana (Reine), North Carolina (Shaffer), Oregon (Lambson) and Pennsylvania (Walker).

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #17
(NCAA Super-Regionals; June 11-14, 2010)
presented by CollegeBaseball360.com

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

CURT CASALI (DH … #9)
Vanderbilt  •  Jr.
New Canaan, CT  •  New Canaan HS
6-2  •  215  •  Bats: Right

5-hole hitter who batted .500 (7-for-14) during tight Super-Regional series at Florida State, with FSU posting pair of 1-run wins (9-8, 7-6) while Commodores took game-2 (6-2) … had pair of RBI doubles (one in the 1st and another in 8th, for 4-2 lead) during win over the Seminoles (also scored a run) … his strong game in opener (4-for-5, 8th HR of season, 2-out RBI double) nearly carried Commodores to game-1 win … also had a pair of RBI in close series finale.

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

Repeat CB360 Primetime honoreee who followed up clutch performances in the Regional round by delivering several key plays in hard-fought Super-Regional series vs. Vanderbilt (9-8, 2-6, 7-6) … factored into 3 runs (2RBI-2R; 9th HR of season) during the tight opener, also adding a single in 7th-inning rally that tied score (7-7) … singled and reached on a HBP in game-2 before driving in four of FSU’s 7 runs in the decisive third game (his 2-out/3-run double in the 8th turned a 4-3 lead into a 7-3 cushion … played error-free at the hot corner during the three games.

MITCHELL LAMBSON (LHP … #40)
Arizona State  •  So.
Tualatin, OR  •  Tualatin HS
6-1  •  195

Faced the minimum 15 batters in huge 5-inning relief appearance that closed 12-inning win (7-6) over Arkansas in Super-Regional opener … allowed pair of baserunners (H-BB) that were erased on a pickoff move and a batters-interference call … his 7 strikeouts included 3-up/3-down in the 11th.

ALEX PANTELIODIS (LHP … #24)
Florida  •  So.
Tampa, FL  •  Alonso HS
6-2  •  235

Continued his stellar season with yet another appearance on the Primetime Honor Roll, after logging complete-game victory in Super-Regional opener vs. in-state rival Miami (7-2) … faced only 30 batters (3 over min.; 3H-BB) while recording 22 of his outs via strikeouts (12) or groundball outs (10, including a double-play) … retired finaal 14 batters he faced (6 Ks, 7 GOs) … located nearly 75% of his pitches for strikes (85 of 116).

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

Extended his stellar rookie campaign by winning Super-Regional series opener at #2 national seed Texas (3-1), getting the best of pitchers duel opposite Cole Green (who dropped to 11-2, after 5.2IP-3R-5H-3BB-4H) … allowed the lone run while working into the 8th (7.2), with 19 of his outs coming via Ks (11) or groundouts (8) … faced only 28 batters (3H-BB-HB) in the 110-pitch outing, en route to a 14-0 season record.

TYLER RAHMATULLA (2B … #5)
UCLA  •  So.
Mission Viejo, CA  • Mater Dei HS
5-11  •  180  •  Bats: Right

3-hole batter who delivered one of the biggest hits in the entire 2010 NCAA Tournament, driving 3-1 pitch over left-center fence for 2-out/2-run blast in 9th inning of game-2 vs. Cal State Fullerton … that home run lifted UCLA into 7-6 lead and Bruins went on to force game-3 by winning in the 10th (11-7) … played error-free in the series (14 fielding chances) … also had pair of doubles in 4-3 opening-game loss (RBI, R) and closed 2-for-4 with an RBI in the 8-1 clincher.

ROB RASMUSSEN (LHP … #27)
UCLA  •  Jr.
Arcadia, CA  •  Pasadena Poly HS
5-11  •  170

Lived up to his reputation as nation’s top #3 starter in the rotation, with 2-hitter that beat Fullerton in Super-Regional finale (8-1) … faced only 32 batters in that 112-pitch outing, limiting the potent Titans lineup to a pair of hits and a single walk (2 HB) while striking out 9 CSF batters.

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

Cleanup/5-hole batter who filled that role in timely fashion by batting 5-for-8 in pair of wins over #5 national seed Virginia (with 2 HRs in each game), as Sooners overcame game-1 loss to win Super-Regional series on the road (2-3, 10-7, 11-0) … hit 2–for-3 with a walk and 5 RBI in game-2 before driving in 6 runs (3-for-5) during the stunning runaway clincher.

RICHIE SHAFFER (1B … #8)
Clemson  •  Fr.
Charlotte, NC  •  Providence Senior HS
6-2  •  190  •  Bats: Right

7-hole batter who had totaled only 2 home runs this season before besting that total with 3 HRs in Super-Regional series vs. Alabama (4-5, 19-5, 8-6) … hit 4-for-10 with 7 RBI in pair of wins over the Crimson Tide … smacked pair of home in decisive third game (3 RBI), after also homering in game-2 blowout (4 RBI, sac-fly) … drew a walk in low-scoring opener.

BOBBY SHORE (RHP … #16)
Oklahoma  •  Jr.
Oceanside, CA  •  Palomar JC/Oceanside HS
6-1  •  175  •  Bats: Right

Rose to the occasion in decisive third game of Super Regional at #5 national seed Virginia (11-0 win) … faced only 29 batters in his 8.0 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits and a pair of walks with 5 strikeouts in the 99-pitch outing … his clutch appearance helped Sooners complete series comeback, after narrow 3-2 loss in opener (won game-2, 10-7).

JAKE SMITH (3B/RHP … #14)
Alabama  •  Sr.
Shannon, AL  •  Hueytown HS
6-2  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Two-way talent who played big role in 5-4 win during Super-Regional opener at Clemson … went 2-for-4 from the 5-hole and smacked his 14th home run of the season, before closing the final 2.0 innings for his 6th save of the season (H, 2 Ks) … also homered in game-2 and had a walk and run scored in tight finale (8-6 loss).

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

5-hole hitter who helped South Carolina win Super-Regional series at #4 national seed Coastal Carolina (4-3, 10-9) … batted 2-for-5 in each of the wins, adding 5 RBI, 2 runs scored, a home run and hit-by-pitch … his 2-run single sparked SC to 3-0 lead in 1st inning of game-1 … supplied the big hit in the clinching win, as his 3-run blast in the 8th provided the final 10-9 margin (Coastal held an early 5-2 lead).

*KYLE WINKLER (RHP … #8)
TCU  •  So.
Sugar Land, TX  •  Kempner HS
5-11  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Delivered game-3 Super-Regional win at Texas (4-1) that sent Horned Frogs to Omaha for the program’s first College World Series appearance … worked into the 8th to outduel Brandon Workman (5IP-R-4H-4K), logging 7.2 shutout innings with 5 hits and 3 walks allowed … struck out 6 of his 32 batters faced, during 112-pitch outing.

Big Pitching Performances Headline The Week

Justin Jones

the first to do it Friday afternoon.  He was followed by: Alex Wimmers-Ohio St., Cole Green-Texas, Justin Jones-Cal, D.D. Hanks-South Alabama, Merrill Kelly-Arizona St., and Asher Wojciechowski-The Citadel.

1…Freshman among that group of eight game winners-Cal LHP Justin Jones (8-2, 2.62 ERA), who has both of his team’s complete games this season.

12…Strikeouts by Wojciechowski in his Friday complete game 4-2 win over Furman.

4…ACC series lost by North Carolina this season after being swept in Miami over the weekend.

4…ACC series lost by the Tar Heels over the previous three seasons combined.  UNC lost three conference series last year, none in 2008 and one in 2007.  They also lost just two in 2006 for a total of six ACC series defeats from ’06-’09 en-route to four trips to the College World Series.

David Guetierrez (Miami photo)

7…RBIs by Hurricane catcher Yasmani Grandal, who homered to help his team to the weekend sweep of the Tar Heels.

7…Perfect innings pitched by Miami’s David Guetierrez in Wednesday’s 9-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast.  The senior struck out seven and retired all 21 batters he faced in just his second start of the season before leaving the game after throwing 84 pitches.  Hurricane reliever Eric Whaley lost the perfect game and no-hitter when he hit a batter and gave-up a single in the 8th inning.

3…Wins by #6 Georgia Tech over visiting #16 Clemson.  The sweep was sparked by Friday’s 10th inning walk-off home run by Yellow Jacket right fielder Chase Burnett.

15…Consecutive games in which a Georgia Tech player has homered after second baseman Jacob Esch went deep in Sunday’s 11-3 series finale, which gave Clemson its fifth straight loss.

9…Of Clemson’s 13 losses this season (including three in its five-game slide) which have been decided by one or two runs.

5…Runs scored by #25 Virginia Tech in the top of the 9th inning in Sunday’s 8-5 win over #3 Virginia, which avoided a 3-game sweep.  The rally was capped by Buddy Sosnoskie’s 2-out bases clearing double.

3…Walks issued in just 1/3 of an inning by Cavalier closer Kevin Arico, who had earned his Division One leading 12th save earlier in the series, in that Hokie rally.

4…Walks issued by Arico (0-1)  in 20 innings pitched prior to Sunday’s outing.

0 & 23…Runs allowed and strikeouts totaled in 25 combined innings by Texas starting pitchers Brandon

Brandon Workman (Texas photo)

Workman, Taylor Jungmann and Cole Green in the Longhorns’ weekend sweep of arch rival Texas A&M.  The trio also surrendered a grand total of seven hits on the weekend.

12 & 6…Consecutive wins by Texas and losses by Texas A&M, respectively, after the Aggies’ fourth sweep at the hands of the Longhorns in the last five seasons.  The sweep keeps Texas 2 1/2 games ahead of Kansas State in the Big 12 Conference standings.

14…Big 12 leading home runs hit by Nebraska’s Adam Bailey this season.

1…Hit by Bailey in 13 at-bats vs. Kansas (not a home run), while the Jayhawks took two of three games in the series from the Cornhuskers.

1996…The last time Kansas won a series in Lincoln prior to the weekend’s wins.

1,000…Career wins by Rutgers head coach Fred Hill after his Scarlet Knights beat South Florida 6-1 Saturday en-route to a 3-game weekend sweep of South Florida.  The wins move RU into a first place tie with Connecticut atop the Big East Conference standing.

1…Home run this season by LSU sophomore Grant Dozer-a walk-off shot that ended Sunday’s 6-5 14-inning win over Alabama to cap a 3-game weekend sweep.

2002…The last time LSU (30-6, 11.4) swept a series from Alabama (22-15, 5-10).

7…Ride or die innings pitched by LSU closer Matty Ott to earn his first win of the season.  The sophomore allowed two runs on four hits in the longest outing of his career.  He gave-up the runs in the 8th inning and then proceeded to toss six scoreless frames.

32…Division One leading wins by Coastal Carolina, which beat Gardner-Webb 13-0 Sunday for its 13th straight win.

4…Third inning home runs hit by UC Riverside in Sunday’s 7-5 win over Long Beach State.

Marcus Stroman

3…Hits by Duke second baseman Marcus Stroman in Saturday’s upset of #8 Florida State.

3…Scoreless innings pitched by Stroman, who moved to the mound and earned his fourth win in relief in that same game.

4…RBIs along with a home run hit by Arkansas’ Brett Eibner in Saturday’s win over Georgia.  He is tied for the team lead with 11 HR this season.

7…Innings pitched in that game by Eibner, who earned his third win in his ninth start of the season.

11…Straight wins by the Razorbacks (31-6, 12-3) after Sunday’s 13-5 win over the Bulldogs.  Arkansas has the most overall wins and conference wins of any team in the SEC.

20…Combined strikeouts by starting pitchers Blake Cooper of South Carolina and Drew Pomeranz of Ole Miss in Friday’s Gamecock win over the Rebels.  Cooper (7-0) scattered four hits with 10 K in the complete game effort to help

Christian Walker (USC photo)

South Carolina win two of three games in the series.

9…Straight South Carolina batters who reached base safely in a seven-run 2nd inning-capped by Christian Walker’s grand slam-in Saturday’s 9-5 win over the Rebels.

4…Runs scored by Arizona in the bottom of the 9th inning to rally to beat Washington State 12-11 Sunday in Tucson.

11…Straight wins by the home team in the series between the Wildcats and Cougars.

14…Strikeouts in 8 2/3 IP by Arizona’s Kurt Heyer in Friday’s 5-3 win over Wazzou.

18…Scoreless inning streak by Pepperdine’s Matt Bywater that ended when Gonzaga scored a 1st inning run en-route to a 16-3 win.

8…Runs scored by Miami (OH) in the bottom of the 9th inning of Tuesday’s 12-11 win over Xavier.