College World Series, Game 2 Score: Gamecocks Break Open Game With Florida Error, Lead 3-0 After Three Innings

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.

With a runner on third and one out, sophomore Evan Marzilli stepped up to bat and earned a five pitch walk that led to Gators skipper Kevin O’Sullivan coming out to the mound to visit with his freshmen flamethrower.

Next up was South Carolina’s Scott Wingo, a sterling clutch hitter sporting a .392 average with runners in scoring position. The senior delivered again, blasting a pop out to deep right field that allowed Mooney to tag up for the first run of the game.

Whitson’s shakiness continued, as he walked Jackie Bradley Jr. with three consecutive balls after getting ahead of the count, 1-2.

Christian Walker returned to the plate with runners on first and second, and once again Florida’s poor defense came back to bite the Gators. In a play eerily reminiscent of last night, Walker smacked a grounder to middle that was mishandled, allowing him to reach first safely and Marzilli to cross home for the early 2-0 Gamecock lead.

The damaged persisted with Brady Thomas’ chopper up the middle that was just out of reach of Whitson, allowing Bradley Jr. to score the third run of the inning.

Finally Adrian Morales stopped the floodgates, hitting a grounder up the middle to end the bottom of the third; but by then the damage was already done. South Carolina scored three runs on just two hits in the inning. 3-0, South Carolina over Florida after three.

For more on the South Carolina baseball and Florida baseball teams, visit SB Nation’s South Carolina blog Garnet and Black Attack and Florida blog Alligator Army. For more on the 2011 College World Series, visit our CWS hub.