South Carolina Vs. Texas A&M, College World Series 2011: Gamecocks On Quest To Repeat As Champions

The South Carolina Gamecocks begin their second straight appearance in the College World Series on Sunday night after winning it all in 2010. The Texas A&M Aggies are the first roadblock on their road to repeat as College World Series champions. The last team to do so is the Oregon State Beavers in 2006-07.

The Gamecocks will receive a boost to their starting lineup as star center fielder Jackie Bradley will make his long-awaited return. During the regular season he came down with a wrist injury that kept him out for the remainder of the regular season and the first two rounds of the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The 2010 College World Series Most Outstanding Player will bat second. Bradley was selected No. 40 overall by the Boston Red Sox in the 2011 MLB Draft. Though he hit just .259/.351/.468 before the injury, Bradley’s return as a leader on the field will also be a huge boon.

First baseman Christian Walker and 2B Scott Wingo will be two other bats in the lineup to watch for South Carolina. Walker has the team lead in home runs with 10, while Wingo is getting on base at a .466 clip.

The Texas A&M Aggies opted to start Ross Stripling in the game over Michael Wacha due to the amount of rest the two have. Stripling, a ninth round selection of the Colorado Rockies, has 107 strikeouts in 117.2 innings and has held opponents to a .200 batting average. Watch out for sophomore OF Tyler Naquin and his .390/.459/.553 season line. Freshman Krey Bratsen will need to be watched carefully while he is on base, having stolen 31 bases.