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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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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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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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The Dugout is located right across the street from the Road To Omaha statue outside TD Ameritrade Stadium, but if you left Omaha without that College World Series hat, shirt or memorabilia you were thinking about you can still get it at Dugouthats.com!

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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.

A Look At Father’s Day Action From Omaha…

Click image to enlarge!

If you’re going to the College World Series, your one stop for the most officially licensed 2011 College World Series apparel is the all new 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!

Game 3: Virginia 4-9-1 def. California 1-6-0
Final Stats | VA Recap | Cal Recap

Click image to enlarge!

It took roughly two-and-a-half hours for the first runs of the game to score in this day-2 matchup, with Virginia breaking through for a pair of runs in the bottom of the 7th. The Cavs produced their runs after Chris Taylor followed Keith Werman‘s leadoff single with a walk. John Barr then executed a sac bunt, John Hicks followed with an RBI single and Steven Proscia plated Taylor with a sac fly to fight field.

Virginia head coach Brian O'Connor conducts his midgame interview with ESPN's Jenn Brown.

The previous time that a CWS game was scoreless through six innings was May 31, 1987, when Florida State ultimately beat Arizona State 3-0.

Cal’s Justin Jones did not pitch after injuring his pitching elbow in the previous week’s Super Regional win over Dallas Baptist. Jones is not expected to pitch during the CWS.

ACC pitcher of the year Danny Hultzen faced Pac-10 player of the year Tony Renda, three times in the game. Renda went 0-for-2 againt Hultzen, with a strikeout, popup to first base and a groundout field by the pitcher. It says “1-3″ in the scorebook on the play, but Hultzen had to charge off the mound on the tapper toward the third-base line. As he was spinning toward first to make the throw, Hultzen fell down but still managed to fire a bullet to get the forceout.

Attendance for the game was 21,275 for a three-game total of 69,541. That’s only 214 behind the 3-game total in 2010 at Rosenblatt Stadium.

– Quotable –

“I think we got them right where we want them. I think from here on out everyone’s going to be coming off a loss and we’ll be coming off a win. I think that’s where we were at our best, so we might as well go with that. At least that’s what I’m trying to convince our guys. We’re kind of used to backs up against the wall and we’ll see.” – Cal head coach David Esquer when asked if his team has what it takes to come through the loser’s bracket like it did with four straight victories to win the Houston Regional.

“I think we made it clear that if you’re just happy to be here, then you’ll be going home fairly soon. They’re here to win ballgames. I told them if you don’t come to win, we might as well not go. We get a participant’s badge or trophy whether we win or not. Let’s come here to win.” –Esquer when asked if his team has anything left to prove, considering they made it to Omaha after initially being told a few months ago that their program was going to be eliminated.

“I think Cal being here is one of the best things that could happen for college baseball, because I think it sends a message across the country that there’s a lot of programs that really care about their baseball programs and there’s a lot of good coaches out there and a lot of good players. I think it’s really great the fact that everybody knows the story of what they’ve been through and the fact that they could make it here to Omaha.” –Virginia head coach Brian O’Connor

Virginia's David Coleman drops down a bunt.

Click image to enlarge!

If you’re going to the College World Series, your one stop for the most officially licensed 2011 College World Series apparel is the all new 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!

Game 4: South Carolina 5-10-1 def. Texas A&M 4-4-1
Final Stats | USC Recap | TAMU Recap

Click the image to enlarge!

After it took Virginia and Cal more than 2 1/2 hours to score a run in the first game of the day, Texas A&M and South Carolina put on an offensive display in the first inning of their Father’s Day nightcap. The Aggies scored minutes into the game, with the big hit being a 3-run triple by Brandon Wood off Gamecocks ace Michael Roth. A&M led 4-0 after just one-half inning, but SC answered with four runs of its own in the bottom of the frame to tie the game. Only two of the eight 1st-inning runs were earned.

After South Carolina loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 9th, Texas A&M brought reserve infielder Scott Arthur off the bench to deploy a five-man infield. Arthur stood a few feet away from second base, with two other infielders to his right. It was a moot move, though, as Scott Wingo ripped a long single off the rightfield wall to bring home Robert Beary with the game-winning run. Beary earlier had sparked the rally with a leadoff double to right.

Wingo’s 4-hit game (4-for-4) is a career-high.

South Carolina has now won 12 straight NCAA Tournament games, since losing their opener at the 2010 College World Series. Seven straight CWS wins are included in that streak for the defending national champs. Oregon State in 2006 & 2007 was the previous team to win seven straight games in Omaha (the Beavers also are also the most recent team to win back-to-back national titles).

The 2010 CWS Most Outstanding Player, Jackie Bradley, Jr., made his first start after missing 26 straight games due to a wrist injury he suffered in April. Bradley batted ninth and started in center field.

Despite five walks, South Carolina starter Michael Roth battled his was to eight strikeouts (one shy of his season-high).

After four games, Vanderbilt’s Connor Harrell still has the only home run of the CWS. He hit that long ball in Saturday’s opening win over North Carolina.

With South Carolina’s win, the SEC East is 3-0 at the College World Series. Vanderbilt and Florida both won on Saturday.

Former Nebraska and current New York Yankee pitcher Joba Chamberlain was wearing some new colors during the game. Chamberlain was sporting both a sling (after recent surgery on his shoulder) as well as a Texas A&M hat during the game. The connection? Aggies head coach Rob Childress was Chamberlain’s pitching coach at Nebraska. The two were together for the Cornhuskers’ CWS apperance in 2005.

Attendance for game-4 was 23,395, for a four-game total of 92,936.

Texas A&M and Cal will meet in Tuesday’s 1:00 p.m. elimination game, while South Carolina and Virginia meet in the winner’s-bracket game at 7. Virginia and Texas A&M will be the home teams.

– Quotable –

“This isn’t the first time we’ve lost a game. I mean, we’ve lost 21 on the year and our guys have been very, very resilient. We haven’t lost an awful lot in a row, and our guys know there’s still tomorrow. I can tell you this, Cal’s going to get our best.” – Texas A&M head coach Rob Childress

“Coach Tanner told me before the inning started that I needed to get on base – I knew my job. Before I walked up to the plate, I was talking to myself: I gotta hit one for my father. He’s in Afghanistan, so he couldn’t be here today. But, well, when I saw the ball go off the wall and it coming towards the infield, I thought I had third, but I felt my coach holding me up, and I didn’t want to make the first out at third, so I just listened to him and stayed there.”– South Carolina catcher Robert Beary, whose double to leadoff the 9th inning led to him scoring the game’s winning run on Scott Wingo’s hit

Aggies head coach Rob Childress makes a 9th-inning pitching change.

South Carolina pitcher John Taylor delivers an 8th-inning pitch.

Scott Wingl delivers his game-ending hit.