2010 College World Series: South Carolina, Oklahoma Finally Beat Rain

It took over four hours of waiting our the rain and lightning, but South Carolina and Oklahoma will finally get their chance on the field at Rosenblatt Stadium. With rain and lightning peppering the Omaha area for the better part of the day, there was some doubt as to whether the Gamecocks and Sooners would be able to get their game in today, but it has subsided for long enough to get the game in. So, with mother nature finally cooperating, bracket two of the 2010 College World Series can finally get underway.

The South Carolina Gamecocks got back to the College World Series for the fourth time since 2000 thanks to a balanced effort from everyone on the roster and may be the most balanced team to make it to Omaha. With a 21-9 record, the Gamecocks finished second in the SEC, but the offense disappeared at the SEC Tournament and they went two and out. That disappointing SEC Tournament showing dropped the Gamecocks out of a national seed, but it didn’t bother them much. South Carolina swept through their Regional with a 3-0 record, then disposed of the number four national seed, Coastal Carolina, in two quick games.

While the Gamecocks were running through teams, Oklahoma was a bit up and down. A hot start to the season gave the Sooners confidence, but they were swept by Texas and suffered a series loss to Texas Tech. Instead of panicking, the Sooners bounced back and played well, never more so than at the end of the regular season, when they won seven straight. After a solid Big XII Tournament showing, Oklahoma picked up a Regional host, which they won, then took out the number five national seed, Virginia in three tense Super Regional games.

When South Carolina and Oklahoma finally get to take the field, it will be a pair of experienced right-handers leading them out. For the Gamecocks, senior Blake Cooper will get the nod with his 12-1 record and 2.81 ERA. Opposite the dominating Cooper will be the Sooners’ Michael Rocha, who went 7-2 with a 3.57 ERA this season. The edge on the mount goes clearly in favor of Cooper, who is undoubtedly one of the top handful of pitchers in Omaha this season.

Each team enters with a potent offense. Oklahoma hits .312 as a team and is led by Garrett Buechele, who is hitting .371 with 16 homers and 64 RBI. Cameron Seitzer also brings some pop to the plate with his 15 homers, putting a scare in opposing pitchers. South Carolina has their share of bats too, with Jackie Bradley Jr. earning the headlines. Bradley is hitting .371 with 11 home runs and 51 RBI. Even though they can get hot, as they have been this postseason, the Gamecock offense isn’t nearly as potent as the Sooners.

The question here is whether you lean to the better starting pitcher or better offense. If you want to call them a draw, look to the hot team in Oklahoma because no team is hotter right now.