GAMECOCKS WINS NCAA
NATIONAL TITLE
OVER UCLA 2-1
OMAHA, Nebraska - Whit Merrifield singled
home Scott Wingo in the bottom of the 11th inning, lifting South
Carolina to a 2-1 win over UCLA, clinching the National Championship for
the Gamecocks.
Wingo led off the final frame with a walk, moved to second on a passed
ball, advanced to third on a bunt by Evan Marzilli and scored on
Merrifield single to right.
The two starting pitchers, South Carolina's Michael Roth and UCLA's Rob
Rasmussen locked up in a tight duel, but neither was around to figure in
the decision. Roth allowed one run on six hits over 5.0 innings, while
Rasmussen scattered six hits and four walks over 6.0 scoreless frames.
UCLA broke the scoreless tie with a run in the top of the fifth. Trevor
Brown led off with an infield single, moved to second on a sacrifice
bunt and scored on Niko Gallego's RBI single to left.
The Gamecocks finally tied the score in the bottom of eighth.
Pinch-hitter Brady Thomas led off the frame with a solid single to
center. Pinch-runner Robert Beary went to second on a ground out and
scored when Bobby Haney's grounder ended up in right field after being
misplayed by UCLA first baseman Dean Espy and eluding second baseman
Cody Regis.
Matt Price (5-1) worked three scoreless innings of relief for the win.
Jackie Bradley Jr. was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
He was joined on the All-Tournament team by Christian Walker, Evan
Marzilli and Brady Thomas.
The Gamecocks finish the season with a 54-16 record, while UCLA ends its
campaign with a 51-17 mark.
PREVIOUS ARTICLES:
GAMECOCKS OFFENSE
AND DEFENSE DOMINATE TIGERS 34-17
GATORS HOLD OFF GAMECOCKS 24-14
GARCIA AND GAMECOCKS HOLD OFF COMMODORES 14-10
INGRAM AND ALABAMA RUN OVER GAMECOCKS 20-6
GAMECOCKS HOLD OFF WILDCATS 28-26
GAMECOCKS PULL AWAY IN 2ND HALF DEFEAT BULLDOGS 38-14
GAMECOCKS DEFENSE CRACKS NUTT AND REBELS 16-10
GAMECOCKS RUN AWAY OWLS 38-16
