College World Series 2011: South Carolina Downs Florida For Second Straight Title, 5-2

As Matt Price walked to the mound in the top of the ninth inning, the scene felt eerily familiar. Give them no chances, make no mistakes. Ten pitches later the season was over and a raucous celebration overtook TD Ameritrade Park.

The South Carolina Gamecocks were NCAA National Champions. Again.

The dominance of South Carolina ace Michael Roth hit a speed bump to start the fifth inning. After pulling ahead of Gator designated hitter Brian Johnson 0-2, Roth threw three consecutive balls before hitting the sophomore to give him a pass to first. Sensing a rare opportunity to get to the brillant Gamecock hurler, first basemen Vickash Ramjit immediately came to the plate and smashed a single to right field.

That would be as far as the Gators got though, as Roth quickly regained his composure, struck out Cody Dent swinging, and induced Bryson Smith into a double play to end the top of the inning. Thus far Roth has pitched a stellar five innings of three-hit ball.

After a long rest South Carolina’s Michael Roth headed back to the mound. The rustiness immediately became a factor, as Roth gave up a homerun to Mike Zunino on his fourth pitch of the inning. The blast to left field will surely serve as a big moral boost to the struggling Gators after a rough third inning.

Undeterred by his mistake, Roth went right back to work, retiring Preston Tucker, Josh Adams, and Daniel Pigott via groundouts in just seven combined pitches to end the top of the fourth.

After some early trouble, Gamecock ace Michael Roth has been rolling. The top of the third went by quickly, as he made quick work of the side. Cody Dent grounded out to second, Bryson Smith struck out swinging, and Nolan Fontana grounded out up the middle. Roth has retired eight Gators in a row.

Gamecock shortstop Peter Mooney smacked a double down the left field line to lead off the bottom of the third for South Carolina. Robert Beary promptly came up to the plate and laid down a bunt to move Mooney to third. It looked as if Florida’s Karsten Whitson had the play at third, but he instead chose to go the sure route and throw out Beary at first.

Michael Roth started the second inning right where he left off the first for the Gamecocks, forcing Gator outfielder Daniel Pigott to fly out to left on a full count. Designated hitter Brian Johnson fared no better, striking out swinging after a admirable nine-pitch at-bat. Vickash Ramjit met the same fate, striking out swinging on a crackling breaking ball. Quick work by Roth.

In a game of anything you can do I can do better, Karsten Whitson came out throwing fire, striking out senior Brady Thomas swinging for the first out of the bottom of the inning. After working Gamecock third basemen Adrian Morales to a full count, the senior fell victim to the Gator hurler, grounding out to first. Next, Jake Williams stepped up to the plate briefly before striking out swinging on a smoking inside fastball.

Game 2 of the College World Series Championship Series is set to get underway. After a thrilling 11th inning Game 1 victory by South Carolina, the Florida Gators will give it everything they have to ensure that this will not be the final night of their incredible season.

Taking the mound first tonight is Gamecocks staff ace Michael Roth. The junior lefty has been dominate all season, possessing a 13-3 record and an unbelievable 0.98 ERA over 137.1 innings. Florida has their work cut out for them.

When the South Carolina Gamecoks beat the Florida Gators on Monday in the first game of the best-of-three College World Series championship, they moved one game closer to winning their second-straight National Title. They also moved that much closer to convincing Vegas that they might just win this whole thing.

Before Monday’s 2-1 thriller, Vegas had the Gators favored. Now, with the Gators in a hole and the Gamecocks a win away from the title, Vegas has revised its thinking on the matter. Odds are now even for both teams as even the high rollers are beginning to buy in on South Carolina.

Tuesday night’s Game 2 of the College World Series Championship Series could be the final game of the college baseball season, and it could run South Carolina’s record streak of consecutive NCAA Tournament wins to 15, but the Florida Gators certainly hope that they’ll extend the season for another day with a win in Omaha. The game, pitting South Carolina vs. Florida in a battle for SEC East and NCAA baseball supremacy, will be broadcast on TV by ESPN at 8 p.m. Eastern from TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, and can be streamed online at ESPN3.com.

South Carolina won Game 1, 2-1, in 11 innings, and will throw staff ace Michael Roth (13-3, 0.98 ERA) in Game 2. The Gamecocks have won their last 10 College World Series games, and haven’t lost a game in the NCAA Tournament since their opening game in Omaha last season.