College World Series, Game 2 Score: Michael Roth Rolling, Gamecocks Lead 4-1 After Seven

Michael Roth looked determined as ever as he took the mound to start the top of the seventh inning. Although things didn’t really start out the Gamecock ace would have liked, as he promptly walked Brian Johnson on four straight pitches. But, as he has the entire game, Roth took a moment, regained his composure, and went on to record three straight outs with just nine pitches. He struck he Vickash Ramjit swinging, induced Cody Dent into a foul out to left field, and forced Bryson Smith to hit into a fielder’s choice to roll through the bottom of the Gator’s lineup.

The Gators brought back out Brian Johnson to start the bottom of the seventh against Gamecock hero Christian Walker, who immediately blasted a single up the middle. However, a shaken Johnson seemed to recover quickly, as he struck out Gamecock senior Brady Thomas on three straight pitches. Though, unfortunately for the Gators, it was a false hope, as Adrian Morales proceeded to smash a double down the left field line to put South Carolina runners on the corners.

Facing another dire situation, Florida skipper Kevin O’Sullivan elected to remove Johnson in favor of right-hander Anthony DeSclafani. The move paid instant dividends as the hard-throwing junior struck out Jake Williams on just four pitches.

With two outs and red-hot shortstop Peter Mooney coming to the plate, O’Sullivan tinkered once more, this time choosing to put in sophomore lefty Steven Rodriguez. Again, the move paid dividends as Mooney grounded out to second base with the help of a stellar defensive effort by Josh Adams.

Good effort by the Gators but they are running out of time. 4-1 Gamecocks after seven.

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.