Florida Vs. South Carolina Score, Game 2: Mooney Home Run Extends Gamecock Lead, 4-1, After Six Innings

South Carolina’s Michael Roth started the sixth inning by working Florida sophomore Nolan Fontana to a full count, before issuing yet another hit-by-pitch, with what is becoming the theme of the game. Catcher Mike Zunino punished the Gamecock’s mistake by immediately smacking a single to the left side.

With runners on first and second, the winning run, Preston Tucker sauntered up to the plate. However, in a bizarre at-bat in which Roth threw almost no strikes, the Gator struck out swinging. Florida seems to be getting ahead of themselves, and is going for the gusto instead of grinding through the game. The bases could easily be loaded right now had Tucker shown some patience.

Josh Adams followed the trend, swinging at a 1-1 breaking ball to ground out to third base. Nonetheless, Zunino and Fontana advanced to second and third respectively. But once again Florida stranded the tying runs, as Daniel Pigott ground out to first to end the top of the sixth. A wasted opportunity for the Gators. Roth continues to work his way out of tough situations.

Tommy Toledo remained on the mound for Florida as the bottom of the sixth inning began. Though Florida instantly regretted the decision, as Peter Mooney smashed the fifth pitch he saw into the right field stands to extend the Gamecock’s lead, 4-1. Mooney’s blast was amazingly the first homerun for South Carolina in five games at the College World Series.

Toledo stayed in for one more pitch, forcing Robert Beary to pop out to second, before being removed for hard-throwing lefty Brian Johnson. Johnson promptly allowed a rocketing Evan Marzilli double down the left field line, but soon settled in, forcing Scott Wingo to fly out to center field and Jackie Bradley Jr. to strike out swinging on three straight pitches.

The Gator’s minimized the damage, but still leave the inning down 4-1 after a Peter Mooney solo homerun.

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.