2011 College World Series: South Carolina Wins Thriller Over Florida, 2-1, In 11 Innings

The defensive play in the 2011 NCAA Baseball tournament has been...well, let's just say it has left something to be desired. If we're being nice, it's been a bit disappointing. When new fans of college baseball first check it out during the tournament, the biggest difference that they'll notice between college and professional baseball is the defense. That's exactly what made South Carolina's win over Florida in Game 1 of the 2011 College World Series so special.

South Carolina's bats were more or less shut down by Florida's excellent pitching staff, which was expected, so they needed some great play on the other end to grind out a win. Their pitching was on point, but their defense was better. With the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, SC got out of the inning and forced extras with a great out at home on a fielder's choice, followed by a double play. An inning later, Cody Dent had a chance to end the game when he took off for home on a Mike Zunino single, but he was thrown out by left fielder Jake Williams.

Meanwhile, the Florida Gators committed three errors during the game, including two in the top of the 11th inning, when South Carolina scored the winning run. Florida's bats and pitchers were just as good as, if not better than South Carolina, but the Gamecocks' defense made the difference on Monday. In Game 2, they'll be facing a tough pitcher in Karsten Whitson and the same bats, so they might need the exact same defensive effort to win the Championship Series in two games.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation's Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

In Game 1 of the 2011 College World Series on Monday night, South Carolina's defense was spectacular in the late innings, while Florida's sputtered. The result is the Gamecocks are one win away from successfully defending their College World Series title.

Christian Walker, whose availability to play Monday was in question because of a fractured left wrist, scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning thanks to a pair of throwing errors in South Carolina's 2-1 victory over the Gators in the opener of the best-of-three championship series.

Matt Price worked out of trouble in the bottom of the 11th to secure South Carolina's NCAA-record 15th consecutive tournament win dating to last season. It was their 10th straight win at the College World Series.

Game 2 is Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. EDT, again at TD Ameritrade Park between these Southeastern Conference rivals. The Gamecocks will be the designated home team and they hope to celebrate another NCAA Title. If Florida does win, Game 3 will be played Wednesday, June 29.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation's Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

Gamecock first basemen Christian Walker saw his team in trouble and did what he could to make something happen. With one out in the top of the 11th inning, Walker ripped a single straight up the middle off Nick Maronde. He promptly stole second base, then everything broke down for the Gators.

In a bizarre series of events, Florida incurred two consecutive throwing errors attempting to reach Walker, allowing the Gamecock to reach home plate completely unimpeded. That mistake was all South Carolina needed.

After working their way out of the rest of the jam, Florida faced Sophomore closer Matt Price in the most important half-inning of their season. Designated hitter Brian Johnson led off the side strong, knocking a single to right field. Paul Wilson then came on to pinch run for Johnson, and was moved to second on a Josh Adams groundout.

With the tying run in scoring position, Price showed immense poise, striking out Tyler Thompson with a blistering high fast ball after an arduous nine-pitch at-bat.

Last call for the Gators, and intimidating right-fielder Daniel Pigott walked up to plate sporting a .389 average with runners in scoring position. Yet Price remained calm, and with his second pitch induced a groundout to end the game. The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Florida Gators, 2-1, in 11 innings to take a 1-0 series lead.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation's Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

Things looked bad to start the tenth inning for the Gators. South Carolina's Jake Williams singled to center field to start the inning, followed by Robert Beary's blooper to left. With men on first and second, and only one out, Florida removed right-handed pitcher Austin Maddox in favor of the lefty, Nick Maronde.

Maronde went right to work, somehow squirming his way out of the jam by striking out Evan Marizilli and inciting Scott Wingo to hit into a force-out.

The tables turned in the bottom of the inning, as the Gators quickly put runners on second and third with two outs. With Mike Zunino coming to the plate, and Cody Dent standing as the winning run on third base, Gamecock pitcher John Taylor was facing a tough spot.

The situation instantly turned dire, as Zunino ripped a single to left field. However, the Gamecocks found another miracle in their pocket. Leftfielder Jake Williams fired a missile to home plate, forcing out Dent before the winning run hit the scoreboard. On to the eleventh inning.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation's Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

South Carolina second baseman Scott Wingo helped reliever John Taylor get out of an incredibly messy bases-loaded jam with no outs in the bottom of the ninth in the College World Series, and the Gamecocks preserved a 1-1 tie as the game headed to extra innings.

Christian Walker struck out to lead off the ninth for South Carolina. Brady Thomas then singled, and Florida replaced pitcher Steven Rodriguez with Austin Maddox, who induced a double-play ball by Adrian Morales.

South Carolina brought in sidearming reliever Taylor in the bottom of the ninth, and he walked the leadoff batter, catcher Mike Zunino. Brian Johnson then failed in a couple of sacrifice attempts, but grounded a ball through the right side of the infield to single and move Zunino to third with two outs.

The Gamecocks then intentionally walked Josh Adams, putting the game in the hands of outfielder Tyler Thompson. Thompson grounded to second baseman Scott Wingo, who threw to home in time to get the lead runner. Daniel Pigott then also grounded to Wingo, who threw to home. Catcher Robert Beary then threw to first to get the double play, ending the inning.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation’s Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

The South Carolina Gamecocks finally got to Hudson Randall in the eighth, tying their College World Series game against the Florida Gators at a score of 1-1.

Randall, who had been brilliant through seven, finally labored a bit in the eighth, walking leadoff batter Peter Mooney. Robert Beary moved Mooney to second with a bunt. Evan Marzilli then flew out to right-center, sending Mooney to third with two outs. Randall threw one too many offspeed pitches to second baseman to Scott Wingo, who grounded a ball up the middle to tie the game at one.

Florida then removed Randall from the game after 84 pitches. He struck out six and walked one in 7.2 innings, with his only walk proving to be a costly one. Steven Rodriguez came in to replace him and whiffed Jackie Bradley to end the inning.

South Carolina’s Cody Dent flied out to lead off the bottom of the inning. Outfielder Jake Williams then made a tough running catch in foul territory to retire Nolan Fontana. Tyler Webb then issued a two-out walk to Bryson Smith, but Preston Tucker grounded out to second.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation’s Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

Florida’s Hudson Randall continued his dominance against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the College World Series as the Gators held a 1-0 lead through seven innings.

Randall had a very quick, easy seventh inning, only needing six pitches. He got Brady Thomas and Adrian Morales in quick succession, then getting Jake Williams to fly out to right. He continues to throw strikes and doesn’t look like seven innings of pitching have fazed him in the least.

Tyler Webb, pitching for South Carolina in relief of Forrest Koumas, got Florida DH Brian Johnson to ground out to start the bottom of the seventh inning. Josh Adams then flied out to deep center. Tyler Thompson drew a two-out walk, but Daniel Pigott flied out to center.

The Gamecocks have six more outs, but they have their work cut out for them, since Randall has been tremendous so far.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation’s Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

Hudson Randall continued a dominant outing through six innings in the Florida Gators’ College World Series matchup against South Carolina. The Gators lead, 1-0.

Randall struck out Scott Wingo to kick off the sixth inning, then got Jackie Bradley Jr. to ground out to second. Christian Walker grounded out to Nolan Fontana at shortstop, ending the half inning for Randall, who now has six strikeouts and only two hits and no walks in six innings.

South Carolina’s Forrest Koumas, pitching a fine game himself, got Cody Dent looking to start the bottom of the inning. Nolan Fontana then flied out to left. Bryson Smith lined a two-out single to center field, and South Carolina replaced Koumas with lefty Tyler Webb, who allowed an infield single by Preston Tucker that was just far enough to second baseman Wingo’s right. Mike Zunino flied out to center, though, to end the threat.

Koumas’ night ended with 5.2 innings pitched, four strikeouts, a walk, three hits and one run allowed.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation’s Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

The Florida Gators continued to hold a narrow 1-0 lead after five innings in their matchup against the South Carolina Gamecocks Monday night.

Florida’s Hudson Randall struck out Gamecocks shortstop Peter Mooney to kick off the fifth inning, then got catcher Robert Beary on a weak popup to first base. Randall then got outfielder Evan Marzilli with a high fastball for his fifth strikeout.

Leading off the bottom of the fifth, Florida designated hitter Brian Johnson worked a favorable 2-0 count against South Carolina starter Forrest Koumas, then grounded a single up the middle. Josh Adams then sacrificed Johnson to second.

In an incongruous moment, former Major League pitcher Shawn Estes caught a foul ball while sitting in the stands in the middle of the next at-bat by Tyler Thompson, who ended up flying out. Daniel Pigott flew out to end the inning.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation’s Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

After four innings in the College World Series matchup between Florida and South Carolina, the Gators continue to lead, 1-0.

Florida pitcher Hudson Randall continued to roll against the Gamecocks in the fourth, inducing two groundouts before allowing a two-out single by Adrian Morales. Jake Williams then flied out to center to strand the runner.

Forrest Koumas of South Carolina struck out Bryson Smith, who couldn’t hold up on a ball outside, to start the bottom of the fourth. He then got first baseman Preston Tucker on a fly ball near the right-field foul line, then Mike Zunino on another fly ball.

The intense sun that affected some flyballs in the first few innings has faded away somewhat, which should give outfielders from both teams a bit more confidence going forward.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation’s Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

The Florida Gators took a 1-0 lead after three innings of their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks Monday after a costly walk and wild pitch by South Carolina starter Forrest Koumas.

Florida pitcher Hudson Randall kicked off the third inning with one out each through the air and on the ground, then barely threw out the speedy Jackie Bradley Jr. on a weakly-hit ball toward third base. Randall has so far done a nice job against Gamecocks hitters, throwing strikes, changing speeds and demonstrating solid command of a couple of different breaking balls.

South Carolina’s Forrest Koumas walked Tyler Thompson to start the third, and Thompson headed to second when the next batter grounded out. Thompson went to third on a wild pitch (that easily could have been called a passed ball – it hit catcher Robert Beary in the glove), then scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Cody Dent. Nolan Fontana then lined out to right, ending the inning with a 1-0 Gators lead.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation’s Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

The second inning of Monday’s College World Series game between South Carolina and Florida began when Gators third baseman Cody Dent got gobbled up on a ball hit by South Carolina’s Adrian Morales. Florida dodged a bullet when the next batter hit a fly ball to deep right and Daniel Pigott nearly lost it in the sun, but he recovered just in time and made the catch. After that, Hudson Randall registered a flyout and a strikeout, stranding Morales, as Gamecocks hitters continued to struggle with Randall’s breaking stuff.

Forrest Koumas began the bottom of the inning with a strikeout of Florida catcher Mike Zunino on a nasty breaking ball of his own. He then induced a second out via a fly ball. Second baseman Josh Adams hit a foul ball that narrowly missed the foul pole in left, but Koumas struck him out looking.

After two innings, there’s still no score, as Randall and Koumas each have posted two zeroes.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation’s Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

The final of the College World Series is underway in Omaha, with the Florida Gators taking on the South Carolina Gamecocks. After one inning of action, there is no score.

Gators starter Hudson Randall struck out the first two Gamecocks batters (including Red Sox supplemental-round pick Jackie Bradley Jr.) on breaking balls. After that, first baseman Christian Walker hit a double down the right-field line, but Randall induced a grounder to strand Walker and end the inning.

Bryson Smith singled off South Carolina pitcher Forrest Koumas with one out in the bottom of the inning, but Koumas got a flyout, and then Robert Beary made a terrific throw to gun down Smith trying to steal second, ending the inning in a scoreless tie.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation’s Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.

You can watch Game 1 of the 2011 College World Series final best-of-three at 8 pm ET, either on ESPN or ESPN3.com. You can call it the CWS final, or you can call it the SEC East championship series, but either way you're still set to enjoy God's Conference beginning a dynasty in a sport it wasn't aware until now that it cared about, other than outliers in Mississippi State and LSU.

The Florida Gators and defending champion South Carolina Gamecocks have faced off three times already this season, with Carolina decisively taking the Gainesville series. 

As Alligator Army points out, Game 1 will see one of these teams lose for its first time in Omaha this year. All this undefeatedness has Garnet And Black Attack calling attention to the swag spreading all over Nebraska. Team Speed Kills felt like this matchup seemed inevitable all along, while SB Nation Atlanta is just happy to know a large portion of the country is displeased with the pairing. 

A pair of right-handers, Florida's Hutson Randall and USC's Forrest Koumas, will take the hill. They faced off once already this year; Koumas beaned three Gators in six innings on the mound. You didn't think SEC East baseball would really be that much prettier than SEC East football, did you?

When the South Carolina Gamecoks face the Florida Gators on Monday in the first game of the best-of-three College World Series championship, they will be attempting to become just the seventh baseball team in CWS history to successfully defend their title. They would also become just the second team since 1997 to accomplish the feat. That it's South Carolina with a chance to do this, and not one of the more traditional college baseball powers, is particularly noteworthy.

As you may know, college baseball has been dominated by schools located in the hotbed states of California, Florida and Texas, or named LSU, for quite some time. In fact, Oregon State (2006-07) and South Carolina are the only schools since 1991 to have won the CWS which are neither named LSU nor play in one of those three states. Oregon State, in fact, was the first school that didn't meet one of those criteria to ever repeat as champions.

That it's this South Carolina team threatening to pull it off seemed unlikely not so long ago. The Gamecocks entered the season with an unsettled starting rotation after Blake Cooper and Sam Dyson left them needing to replace 19 wins and 240 innings. Luckily, the trio of Michael Roth, Forrest Koumas and Colby Holmes eventually emerged and ended up combining for 26 wins and 330 innings. They now enter the championship riding a CWS record 14-game winning streak.

South Carolina plays Florida in the best-of-three final of the 2011 College World Series championship round beginning at 8 p.m. Monday.

Florida and South Carolina have run the table thus far so something will have to give. Both the Gators and Gamecocks completed a sweep on Friday, advancing to the finals following three-consecutive wins. Florida knocked off Vanderbilt in the early game, 6-4, and South Carolina finished off a marathon by eliminating Virginia, 3-2 to set up the three-game series for the title.

The Gators did it the easy way, at least by comparison. Florida opened with an 8-4 over Texas and knocked off Vanderbilt, 3-1, to take control of the top-half of the bracket. On Friday, the Gators downed Vanderbilt a second time, earning the right to play for the NCAA championship.

South Carolina opened its College World Series with a 5-4 win over Texas A&M and, like Florida, moved into the driver's seat with a 7-1 win over Virginia in the second round. In Friday's rematch, however, the task was tougher, and it took extra innings for the Gamecocks to advance. After 13 grueling innings, a throwing error gave South Carolina a 3-2 win over Virginia, setting up next week's championship series.

Check back with this StoryStream for more updates on the College World Series. And for more on these schools, check out SB Nation's Florida blog, Alligator Army, and our South Carolina blog, Garnet and Black Attack.