South Carolina Wins 2010 College World Series

Celebration continues in Columbia for Gamecocks

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - The celebration continues Friday for the University of South Carolina men's baseball team as the City of Columbia is throwing a parade for the national champion team.

Beginning today at noon, the parade will start at the corner of Main and Laurel Streets, travel down Main Street and end at the corner of Main and Gervais Streets.

Immediately after the parade, a brief ceremony will be held to honor Coach Ray Tanner and the Gamecocks with the Key to the City. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Friday's parade is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the celebration so far. On Wednesday during the team's return from Omaha, nearly 14,000 people crowded the Colonial Life Area to congratulate the team for its victory.

Tanner has also received considerable praise for his leadership. He received of the Order of the Palmetto Thursday.

"This is statewide significance to win a national championship is a big deal anyway you cut it and the action speaks for itself," said Gov. Mark Sanford over the team's victory.

Tanner was also honored by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, who named him the Coach of the Year for 2010.

The Gamecock baseball flag was also placed atop the State House Thursday. It will remain there Friday during the parade.

We will be streaming the parade live on WIStv.com beginning at noon.

Copyright 2010 WIS. All rights reserved.

USC flag flies above State House

S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford ordered a USC flag to be flown above the State House Thursday “in tribute to the team’s amazing season and dominant performance over the last few days in Omaha.” The flag was flying this morning.

He also is declaring that July 1 is Gamecocks Baseball National Champions Day.

Sanford, in a news release, pointed out that the state flew the Clemson flag at the State House 30 years ago when the Tigers won a national championship.

City parade details

The city of Columbia will honor the national champion Gamecocks Friday with a parade. It begins at noon Friday on Main Street. The parade will begin at the corner of Main and Laurel Streets, travel down Main Street and end at the corner of Main and Gervais Streets. Immediately following the parade, a brief ceremony will be held to honor Coach Ray Tanner and the USC Gamecocks.

When can you get your championship gear?

Gamecock fans looking to sport the National Championship shirts and hats when the S.C. baseball team arrived in Columbia Wednesday afternoon were out of luck.

The T-shirts and hats worn by the players on the field Tuesday night after the Gamecocks won USC’s first major national championship are being printed today in California and will arrive in Columbia Thursday, Jewelry Warehouse collegiate buyer Kevin Lucas said.

Lucas said the store pre-ordered 2,600 T-shirts and 1,500 hats from a company in California, if the Gamecocks won. The company started printing Wednesday morning after the team’s extra-innings 2-1 win over UCLA close to midnight.

Sporting goods retailer Todd & Moore was overwhelmed with calls from customers Wednesday morning and was expecting that T-shirt on Wednesday afternoon at the Gervais Street store.

The supply probably won’t last long enough to ship any shirts to the O’Neil Court store, vice president Tim Robertson said.

Staff reports

Extra, extra!

On Sunday, look for a commemorative section celebrating the USC championship season inside The State newspaper.

Thursday, we’ll have commemorative posters. Look for details on how to purchase them at the home page of thestate.com. And later this month, look for a special edition of our magazine, GoGamecocks.

Very superstitious?

As the Gamecocks advanced through the College World Series, Kevin Lucas, 25, had to come home early from Omaha to order National Championship T-shirts for Jewelry Warehouse. His job as collegiate buyer required him to place the orders Monday and Tuesday -- before the Gamecocks clinched the title.

"I felt like I was jinxing them by special ordering," said the lifelong USC fan, who claims his first word was "Gamecock" and it's dangerous for him to listen to "Sandstorm" in the car. "My stomach was in knots."

To counterbalance the damage he had done, Lucas -- who said he is ultra-superstitious -- ate the same thing for lunch every day as the team advanced through the bracket.

"Every day, I've gone to Chick-Fil-A and ordered the spicy chicken sandwich," he said.

His efforts paid off.

"The voodoo is now off. The chicken curse is gone," he said.

Longtime coming

John and Tina Sauls drove to Columbia from Moncks Corner Wednesday morning with their two granddaughters, Mayann, 7, and Caraline, 5, just to be part of the celebration.

"This is the place to be today," John Sauls said.

Sauls, 56, a 1979 USC graduate, was at the basketball game in 1971 with his dad when the Gamecocks took the ACC championship.

Tina Sauls, 45, said the school was due for a victory like this.

"It couldn't have happened to a nicer coach and a more deserving team," she said.

Fan report: Peru

From Louisa White, in an email from South America today:

“I am an IMBA student (and undergrad alum), currently living in Lima, Peru for a summer internship. Like other fans who were not in the United States, I watched the game from my laptop. Around the third inning, my home internet started to skip and pause almost every 10 seconds. At that point, I moved to Plan B...the ever-reliable Starbucks. It was evident that mysomewhat muted screams and fist pumps aroused curiosity, since at one point, I noticed the valet attendant´s face plastered against the glass, glaring in at my computer. What an awesome night: one that I will never forget. Savor this day Columbia!

Share your celebration moment; email us at statefeatures@thestate.com

Fan report: The best birthday present ever

From David Brinkman: “I’m a USC grad and Tuesday was my 50th birthday. My wife prayed throughout the day that the spirits of my mom and dad (huge USC baseball fans -- see the attached 1997 article that appeared in The State and Spurs&Feathers) would shine down on the Gamecocks and give me a birthday to remember. At 11:57 p.m., it happened with Merrifield’s hit. My wife (Odess), son (Jeremy), and I, went wild. An hour later (sorry neighbors), we used fireworks for the 4th of July to continue the celebration.”

Fan report: Las Vegas

From Dave Easley, who lives in Irmo: “I have been at the Cisco Live 2010 Conference all week in Las Vegas. The games have overlapped our conference schedule and I haven’t been able to watch from beginning to end. But I left early yesterday to catch what I could. I stopped by one of the casino television sets and when Merrifield tagged that base hit, I jumped up and down and screamed at the top of my lungs! It got a few looks, but from time to time that happens to people in Las Vegas so it didn’t make everyone stop in their tracks! What a feeling to be a Gamecock fan ... I just hate not being able to celebrate with everyone back in Columbia! I’ve always been proud to be a Gamecock, but this was a very, very special moment in time.”

Kudos from Lindsey Graham

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham took a little time out today from the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan to congratulate the Gamecocks. Here is his statement:

“As a graduate of the University of South Carolina, I know what a historic achievement this is for the school and state. Last night’s win in the College World Series was the first men’s national championship in any sport for the university.

“The Gamecocks performance in the College World Series, and really throughout the entire Road to Omaha, was the epitome of ‘team.’ Great pitching, timely hitting, and a never-quit attitude defined this team. These young men believed in each other and have brought credit to themselves, the University of South Carolina, and our state.

“Last night’s exciting game between USC and UCLA was a fitting tribute to the last College World Series game to be played at Rosenblatt Stadium. It represented the best of college baseball and amateur athletics in general.

“Congratulations to Coach Tanner, his staff, and the players. We are very proud of their tremendous achievement.”

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Thousands pack arena for Gamecock celebration, parade scheduled

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - About 14,000 people gathered at the Colonial Life Arena in downtown Columbia Wednesday afternoon to welcome the national champion USC Gamecock baseball team home from the College World Series in Omaha.

This was the first time a men's athletic team has won a national title and Gamecock fans were ready to party. Many tailgated in parking lots outside Colonial Life Arena and most dressed in South Carolina shirts and hats. An arena scoreboard replayed the baseball clincher from the night before.

Gates opened at the Colonial Life Arena at 3:30p.m., and fans began pouring in to watch a replay of Tuesday night's title game. The team walked in just before 5:30pm to raucous "Game-Cocks" cheers, the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey and Queen's "We Are the Champions."

The first 5,000 fans in attendance received a commemorative print. Due to the venue change and expected large crowd, there was not an autograph session to conclude the event as was previously planned.

Coach Ray Tanner thanked the fans for their support during the season. Instead of referring to the championship as belonging to the team, Tanner said it was fans' championship title.

Tanner also thanked three people who couldn't be at the celebration: Sarge Frye, Tom Price, and Bayler Teal.

Teal was the 7-year-old cancer-stricken child who died last weeks just as the Gamecocks defeated the Oklahoma Sooners. The boy was a fan of the team and the team quickly adopted him as one of their own.

"Last I'd like to recognize Bayler Teal," said Tanner to a standing crowd chanting the boy's name. "There was once a time in Bayler's life that many of our guys were his heroes, but soon, he became our hero. He inspired us, and he was watching over us. He was the angel on our wing. Thank you, Bayler."

The celebration doesn't end for at least until the end of the week. The City of Columbia says they'll be holding a parade on Friday at noon on Main Street to commemorate the team's historic title. The parade will begin at the corner of Main and Laurel streets, travel down Main Street and end at the corner of Main and Gervais streets.

Immediately after the parade, a brief ceremony will be held to honor Coach Ray Tanner and the Gamecocks. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Governor Mark Sanford announced Wednesday afternoon that the USC baseball flag will fly over the State House on Thursday to honor the Gamecocks, much like after Clemson's 1981 football championship. Sanford is also designating Thursday, July 1 as Gamecocks Baseball National Champions Day.

"Given last night's classic come-from-behind victory by the South Carolina Gamecocks in Omaha, I'd congratulate Coach Tanner and the entire baseball team for their relentless spirit, superior skill, and ongoing success both on and off the field in representing South Carolina," said Sanford.

In addition, Sanford will award Coach Tanner with the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian award. "For his years of success on the ball field, his work with the Ray Tanner Foundation, and his dedicated service to the university and community at large, Coach Tanner is deserving of this recognition and I'd wish him and the Gamecocks all the best as they take a well-deserved victory lap," said Sanford.

Copyright 2010 WIS. All rights reserved.

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History-making: Gamecocks win national title

Merrifield's single in 11th gives USC first CWS crown
NEIL WHITE
nwhite@thestate.com

OMAHA, Neb. – Whit Merrifield knew he had to make simple contact.

The junior outfielder stood at the plate in the bottom of the 11th inning of a tie game with the biggest potential run in the history of South Carolina baseball standing on third base.

And on a 2-0 pitch, Merrifield brought that run home with a sharp single to right-field, a hit that delivered a 2-1 win over UCLA and the program’s first NCAA championship Tuesday night in the final College World Series game at Rosenblatt Stadium.

“It was just elation when I saw it go through. I knew I got the barrel on it,” Merrifield said. “I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was jumping up and down and screaming and just waiting for my teammates to come tackle me. Gosh, this is unbelievable.”

The Gamecocks (54-16) swept the Bruins (51-17) in the best-of-three championship series. Their six straight wins after an opening loss set a CWS record and wrote a perfect ending in the final chapter of the historic old ballpark, home to 61 College World Series since 1950.

“You want to play among the best and try to be one of the best one day. Many times it’s just a dream but sometimes it becomes reality. Here in 2010 in the final chapter of Rosenblatt, it all worked out for the Gamecocks,” USC coach Ray Tanner said. “We’re going to be in the history books for a long, long time. I know the new stadium is going to be tremendous but this is history, and we’ll be a part of that for many years to come.”

In their fourth appearance in a CWS title game, the Gamecocks finally are bringing the hardware back to Columbia after 35 years of baseball excellence through three head coaches.

Scott Wingo drew the leadoff walk in the 11th off UCLA closer Dan Klein (6-1), who was in his fourth inning of work, and advanced to second on a passed ball. He moved to third on Evan Marzilli’s sacrifice bunt before Merrifield came through with his line drive. USC closer Matt Price (5-1) picked up the win with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

The team erupted out of the dugout with Merrifield’s hit, which capped a season that got better and better as it went along. The Gamecocks went 11-1 in the NCAA tournament and seemed to have a new hero every day. For senior ace Blake Cooper, who threw 300 pitches in three games in the CWS, which included the win over UCLA in Game 1 of the title series, the season could only have had one conclusion.

“No other way,” Cooper said. “Like I said before, our team has been battled-tested all year and I knew that’s what it was going to come down to tonight. It’s a perfect storybook ending for me.”

Senior catcher Kyle Enders, who caught every inning in all seven CWS games, felt the exact same way.

“It still really has sunk in yet, but I couldn’t ask for anything more to end my career and win the last game here. I’m thankful for all of my teammates and all the hard work we put in,” Enders said. “I want to say I’m tired but I’m not. I feel good that we won and now we’re national champs.”

Sophomore outfielder Jackie Bradley, who won the CWS MVP award, went hitless Tuesday, but he carried much of the load for most of the tournament with two homers and nine RBIs.

“As a team, we’re just as proud as we can ever be,” Bradley said. “First national championship for baseball and for men’s (athletics) at our whole university. It’s a great feeling.”

Wingo was ecstatic about scoring the final run at Rosenblatt, the one that gave USC its first title.

“I had to get on (base) any way,” he said. “I can’t even describe the words. Unbelievable. We closed this thing out, and we’ll try to open it up next season at the new stadium.”

USC tied the game at 1-1 in the eighth when pinch-hitter Brady Thomas led with a sharp single off reliever Erik Goeddel, who was then replaced by Klein, the right-hander with a team-high 10 saves and 1.85 ERA. Enders got pinch-runner Robert Beary to second on a groundout to third. On the seventh pitch of his at-bat, Bobby Haney hit a hard grounder that first baseman Dean Espy couldn’t handle, and when it bounced off his glove into right-field, Beary steamed around third with the tying run.

Along the way, starter Michael Roth, who allowed just one run in five innings, and relievers Jose Mata, Tyler Webb, John Taylor and Price held the Bruins in check. But even as the Gamecocks struggled to score as well, Tanner never lost faith in his team.

“We did play uphill a lot. I told the guys in the middle of the game that this is who we are. This is the kind of game we win,” he said. “We just kept battling and finally found a way. Whit Merrifield came up with the biggest hit of his career.”

The Bruins took their first lead of the series in the fifth inning. Trevor Brown beat out an infield hit to deep short and moved to second on a sacrifice by Steve Rodriguez. Roth gave up an RBI single to left-center by Niko Gallego to give UCLA a 1-0 lead. Roth, who threw a complete-game gem in a 5-1 win over Clemson, came out after the fifth. He gave the Gamecocks a solid effort by allowing just one run on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts.

But that was all the Bruins would get. And when it counted the most, Merrifield came through.

“It’s been unreal, this whole journey,” Merrifield said. “I’ll be so sad to see these guys go, especially the seniors. I’m just so blessed to be a part of something this special.”

Tanner, who credited the commitment of the USC administration and the athletic department, couldn’t agree more.

“It takes a total team effort to get in this position. I’m not just using words right now,” Tanner said. “Lo and behold, we got here and lost the first game and battled back to become the national champions. I’m so happy for the great state of South Carolina.”

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Roth to start for Gamecocks vs. UCLA tonight

Omaha, Neb. -- South Carolina sophomore left-hander Michael Roth will start for South Carolina tonight vs. UCLA at the 2010 College World Series.

Roth leads the team with 36 appearances on the year and owns a 2-1 record with a 1.27 ERA in 35.1 innings pitched with 32 strikeouts to just eight walks. Opponents are batting just .174 against him.

Cooper carries Gamecocks to Game 1 win over UCLA

Ace pitcher for USC has 10 strikeouts, three hits
By NEIL WHITE
nwhite@thestate.com

Tantalizingly close.

That’s where South Carolina baseball team finds itself in its pursuit of the program’s first national championship. With a 7-1 victory over UCLA Monday night, the Gamecocks need only one more win in the best-of-three series to reach the pinnacle of college baseball.

Senior right-hander Blake Cooper led the way one more time as he threw eight masterful innings to win the College World Series championship opener. The Gamecocks (53-16) will play the Bruins (51-16) at 7:30 tonight in what could be the final CWS game ever at Rosenblatt Stadium.

In the first-ever meeting between the two teams, the Gamecocks put themselves in the driver’s seat early by scoring in each of the first three innings. And with the win, they are on the verge of doing what they couldn’t quite do in three previous NCAA title appearances in 1975, 1977, and 2002.

But USC coach Ray Tanner isn’t going to let his players get too far ahead of themselves by dwelling too much on the opportunity.

“We're not thinking about that, really. That's too much to think about,” Tanner said. “I just told the guys we're going to do the things we've done all year. It's just another game for us tomorrow. We'll try to put it together and try to win a game. And that's really going to be the focus.”

Junior outfielder Whit Merrifield said the focus is simply on winning the next game in front of them.

“You want to win when you have to. We’ve said in the locker room we’ve won one game 52 times or something like that this year,” Merrifield said. “We’ve got our whole staff ready for (Tuesday), and I’m not sure who’s going to start, but whoever they are, hopefully they’ll give us a good outing and we can push some runs across again.”

Tanner wasn’t ready to name tonight’s starter, and UCLA coach John Savage said he was leaning toward left-hander Rob Rasmussen (11-3).

But it’s going to be hard for any pitcher to top Cooper (13-2), who was pitching for the third time in the CWS and the second time on three days rest. He completely handcuffed the Bruins, who had scored 29 runs in four CWS games entering the contest. He allowed just three singles while walking one, striking out 10 and lowering his ERA to 2.76. After allowing a fifth-inning single, he retired 11 batters in a row before giving up a ninth-inning leadoff single. John Taylor got the final three outs for the Gamecocks.

“Cooper realized with the maturity he has early on that he didn't have the giddy-up he needed on his fastball,” Tanner said. “And he needed his changeup, slider, curveball, the two-seamer was sinking, got some ground balls. He just tried to pitch. And he was outstanding.”

The Gamecocks had their way with UCLA’s hard-throwing sophomore right-hander Gerrit Cole (11-4), who was pitching on a full week’s rest but couldn’t come close to matching Cooper’s effectiveness. Cole gave up six runs – four earned – on 11 hits in his seven innings of work. He labored while throwing 127 pitches and only struck out two, with both coming in the sixth inning, after starting the game with an eye-popping 151 strikeouts.

“We knew Cole was a good pitcher coming in, but like we’ve said time and time again, it’s nothing we haven’t seen. Playing in the SEC, we feel like we’ve seen it all,” Merrifield said. “We blooped a couple in, and he got a little rattled. We put some stuff together, and things were kind of falling our way tonight. What can you say about Coop? He just threw an unbelievable game. What a way to go out for him.”

Cole credited the Gamecocks for making something happen against him.

“Well, they had a great approach. I don't know what the approach was. But whatever it was, it worked,” Cole said. “They touched the ball with two strikes, constantly worked counts, fouled balls off. I jumped ahead of a lot of batters. Had a lot of guys 0-1, 1-2. And they touched the ball. They didn't chase the fastball up. They just did a very good job.”

Savage gave a salute to the guy on the mound for the Gamecocks.

“Blake Cooper was outstanding off three days rest. You’ve got to give him a ton of credit. He pounded the strike zone, threw his change and breaking ball for strikes, and really kept us off balance all evening,” Savage said. “So it was clearly their night from the get-go. They deserved to win the game. They dominated us in every phase, really. So it's one game. And it's the best two out of three, and we have bounced back all season.”

Bobby Haney led the 14-hit attack with two hits and three RBIs, while Jackie Bradley, Christian Walker and Evan Marzilli also had two hits apiece. Every player in USC’s starting lineup had at least one hit, with Merrifield’s first hit of the game delivering the Gamecocks’ seventh run in the eighth.

Haney said the team didn’t relax after building a 5-0 lead in the first three innings.

“You don't really think about that too early in the game, ‘Oh, this is our night, we're going to win this game,’” Haney said. “You’ve just got to play what you know how to play, play hard, and hope the ball goes your way.”

USC pushed its lead to 5-0 in the third inning thanks to some help from the UCLA defense. Walker led off the inning with a chopper that first baseman Justin Uribe couldn’t field cleanly, although it went for a hit. After Brady Thomas walked, Cole made an error on a bunt attempt by Adrian Morales to load the bases.

Kyle Enders then lifted a fly ball to center, but center fielder Beau Amaral sailed the ball over the catcher’s head on his throw home. Walker, who had held up until the overthrow, was cut down at the plate when catcher Steve Rodriguez tossed it back to Cole for the out. But Haney salvaged the inning with a two-run, two-out single off Cole.

Haney delivered another run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly, which followed consecutive singles by Morales and Enders to put runners on the corners. Haney’s third RBI of the night upped South Carolina’s lead to 6-0.

“We got a great start tonight offensively. We pushed across some runs early,” Tanner said. “And they made a couple of mistakes. And we had a couple of hits stuck in there. We really didn't hit Cole that hard early, but we were able to get a couple balls to drop and scored some runs.”

Cooper, meanwhile, sailed through the first four innings without allowing a hit and striking out five. He did have to pitch around two hit batsmen and two errors by second baseman Scott Wingo. He didn’t allow his first hit until Rodriguez singled to right with one out in the fifth, but he got the next two batters to keep his shutout going.

South Carolina staged a two-out rally in the first inning that plated a pair of runs. Bradley got things going with a bunt single, and Walker followed by dropping a blooper into left-center field to put runners on the corners. A checked-swing by Thomas resulted in a ball dumped into left to score Bradley. Morales then hit a ground ball that went right through second baseman Cody Regis’ legs to give USC a 2-0 lead.

“We just got the momentum early, and that's what we needed in a game like this,” Walker said.

The Gamecocks added another run in the second when Wingo hit a one-out liner that eluded left-fielder Jeff Gelalich and rolled to the fence, which allowed Wingo to chug into third for a triple. Marzilli hit a sharp single to right push the lead to 3-0.

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South Carolina Advances to CWS Finals With 4-3 Win Over Clemson

 Gamecocks to Face UCLA in Best-of-Three Series Beginning Monday

June 26, 2010

OMAHA, Neb. - Consecutive two-out RBI singles from Christian Walker and Adrian Morales broke a 2-2 tie and freshman right-hander Matt Price came on in relief to earn his fourth win of the season as South Carolina defeated Clemson 4-3 on Friday evening at Rosenblatt Stadium to advance to the championship series of the 2010 College World Series. Carolina is now 52-16 on the year and will play UCLA for the national title beginning on Monday night with first pitch set for 7:30 p.m. ET and the game televised live on ESPNHD and also available on the Gamecock Radio Network and at GamecocksOnline.com. Game two of the series is set for Tuesday and will also be at 7:30 p.m. If necessary, there will be a game three on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. as well. Clemson ends the season with a 45-25 record.

A see-saw affair saw the Gamecocks and Tigers knotted at two apiece heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. That's when Carolina made its final move as Evan Marzilli reached base with one out on a hit by pitch against Clemson starter Casey Harman. With Alex Frederick on in relief for Clemson, Whit Merrifield struck out swinging. However, on the play, Marzilli stole second base and advanced on a throwing error by Clemson catcher Spencer Kieboom. With Marzilli in scoring position, Clemson elected to intentionally walk Jackie Bradley Jr. that brought Christina Walker up to the plate. On Frederick's 3-1 pitch, Walker roped a RBI single to left center scoring Marzilli and giving the Gamecocks a one-run lead. That was followed up by a RBI base hit by Adrian Morales scoring Bradley and putting the Gamecocks ahead 4-2. With Carolina ahead by two runs, the Tigers mounted a rally as John Hinson reached base on a triple to right after both Merrifield and Wingo collided going for the ball. Hinson would then score on Brad Miller's RBI ground out to bring the Tigers back within a run. Clemson mounted one final rally in the top of the ninth as Mike Freeman reached base with two outs on a single up the middle. But Matt Price kept the game in check and was able to get Jeff Schaus to ground out on a sharp ground ball to first baseman Christian Walker preserving a victory for the Gamecocks.

Price is now 4-1 on the year after allowing one run on three hits in 2.1 innings with three strikeouts. Harman suffered the loss despite a quality start for the Tigers. He allowed three runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings with five strikeouts and no walks.

"(It was) a heck of a ball game, no question about it" said South Carolina head coach Ray Tanner. "You know, two teams that are extremely familiar with each other. The numbers were almost identical. We left about the same number they did on base. (Both teams) had about the same number of hits. Guys competing all over the place. Pitchers battling hard, making plays. And we came up with a couple of two-out hits there in (the seventh). (Kyle) Enders tried to give us a little bit of insurance, but (Wilson Boyd) ran that ball down the alley. And it's one of those games that's very common when we play Clemson. We're very fortunate to be able to continue to play. I'm proud of these guys up here and our team. We've just battled and tried to stay in the position all night long. It's very difficult to do against a team as talented and as good as Clemson is. Like I said, a very evenly matched game and we get to play now in the national championship."

In an even contest, the Gamecocks finished with nine hits to the Tigers eight on the evening. Merrifield went 3-for-5 with Walker going 2-for-4 and driving in two runs. Marzilli also scored two runs. Bradley extended his hitting streak to 21 games as well. John Hinson was 2-for-3 with a run scored and Mike Freeman was 2-for-5 to lead Clemson at the plate.

South Carolina broke ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Three consecutive singles by Evan Marzilli, Whit Merrifield and Jackie Bradley Jr. put the Gamecocks in position to score. Harman limited the damage though as he induced Christian Walker into a 4-6-3 double play that scored Marzilli.

Clemson would tie the game 1-1 in the top of the third inning. Will Lamb reached base on a hit by pitch and advanced to third on Mike Freeman's single to right center. Lamb scored on a RBI fielder's choice off the bat of Schaus. Dyson would limit the damage for Carolina as well though as he struck out John Hinson swinging with two runners on to maintain the tie.

Carolina regained the lead at 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning on a solo home run from Walker, his ninth of the season and third of the NCAA Tournament. Walker crushed a 2-2 pitch from Harman over the wall in left center to give the Gamecocks a one-run lead. Clemson tied it at 2-2 in the seventh inning as the Tigers scored after a fielder's choice on a throwing error by second baseman Scott Wingo.

The national championship series will be the fourth time in school history that the Gamecocks will play for a national title in collegiate baseball. South Carolina finished as national runner-up in 1975 (vs. Texas), 1977 (vs. Arizona State and 2002 (vs. Texas). This is head coach Ray Tanner's second appearance in the national title match-up in his fourth trip to the College World Series.

South Carolina advanced to the national championship series with four straight victories. After falling to Oklahoma 4-3 in the CWS opener, the Gamecocks defeated Arizona State 11-4, Oklahoma 3-2 (12 inn.), and Clemson twice, 5-1, and 4-3.

South Carolina and UCLA have only met once on the baseball diamond. The Bruins defeated the Gamecocks on March 23, 1972, 10-4 in a tournament in Riverside, Calif.

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Gamecocks catch the Gators

USC rallies as Raley-Ross heats up in the second half
By SETH EMERSON
semerson@thestate.com

Early in the second half, Darrin Horn gave Brandis Raley-Ross a warning: either start shooting the ball or have a seat on the bench.

Raley-Ross took it to heart, and the result was an impressive rally for the South Carolina men's basketball team.

The senior guard's second-half flurry of 3-pointers propelled the Gamecocks to a 77-71 victory against Florida on Wednesday night. The win kept USC (14-9, 5-4 SEC) alive in the Eastern Division. Florida (17-7, 6-4) entered having won six of its past seven.

"This one was huge for a lot of reasons," Horn said.

This rivalry has seen some classic moments lately. Last month, Florida won on a last-second 3-pointer by Chandler Parsons. And last year at Colonial Life Arena, Zam Fredrick beat the Gators on a buzzer-beating layup after a full-court pass from Mike Holmes.

There was no last-second drama this time.

Florida led most of the game and by as many as eight in the second half. But the Gators missed numerous chances to put USC away.

And then the Gamecocks pounced.

USC went on a 21-7 run to shift momentum. Raley-Ross was key, scoring 17 of his 20 points in the second half.

During the first media timeout of the second half, Horn pulled Raley-Ross aside.

"He was leading the nation in shot-fakes," Horn said. "I told him if he passed up another 3 he was coming out. To his credit, he stepped up and took - and made - a lot of big shots for us."

The Gamecocks needed that kind of production from their second-leading scorer. Devan Downey rolled his ankle in Monday's practice, and though he finished with 24 points, that was his SEC low this season.

Raley-Ross hit his first 3-pointer shortly after the talk with Horn -- and didn't let up. His third 3 cut Florida's lead to one with 9:22 left.

A minute later, Downey's jumper gave USC its first lead since early in the first half.

From there, the Gamecocks gradually pulled away. A 3-pointer by Ramon Galloway as the shot clock expired gave USC a four-point lead. Another 3 by Raley-Ross extend the advantage to 61-54 with 4:07 left.

Raley-Ross seemed surprised he had been so bashful in shooting.

"It hasn't happened in a while. Not since high school, I think," he said. "But it felt good, and I just made them down the stretch."

It also helped that the Gators foundered, hitting one field goal during one six-minute stretch. They struggled the whole game on offense, committing 20 turnovers and going 10-for-23 from the free-throw line.

Meanwhile, the Gamecocks hit their free throws, with Downey sinking 11 of 12.

Downey said he "definitely wasn't 100" percent and was in a walking boot after the game. The team said Downey will continue to wear the boot for precautionary reasons.

"My team carried me tonight," Downey said. "A whole lot of times people talk about what I do for this team. You know, tomorrow's headline should be what my team did for me tonight."