South Carolina takes second consecutive CWS title

OMAHA, Neb. – South Carolina clinched its second straight national championship with a performance different from most of its others at this year’s College World Series.

No drama was necessary.

Michael Roth pitched 7 2/3 innings on three days’ rest and the Gamecocks were in control throughout a 5-2 victory over Florida that completed a two-game sweep in the CWS finals Tuesday night.

“We’re not the most talented team, and we don’t have the best players position for position,” Roth said, “but we go out and stick together as a team. We battle. I can’t describe it. We’re a bunch of average Joes and love each other and come out and battle.”

South Carolina (55-14) became the first team to go 10-0 in an NCAA tournament and the first since Oregon State in 2007 to go unbeaten in a CWS.

The Gamecocks’ streaks of 16 NCAA tournament wins and 11 straight in the CWS are both the longest in history.

South Carolina has the distinction of winning the last CWS played at Rosenblatt Stadium and the first at TD Ameritrade Park.

Peter Mooney doubled to start a three-run third inning in the matchup of Southeastern Conference rivals and hit the Gamecocks’ first home run of the CWS in the sixth.

After giving up four runs in the first inning of their opener against Texas A&M, the Gamecocks allowed just six in their other 50 innings here.

They became the sixth team to win consecutive national titles and first since Oregon State in 2006-07.

“They earned this one,” Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “They were a little bit better than us in all phases. They pitched a little bit better. They hit a little bit better. They played a little bit better defense and they earned it.”

“You have to be a little lucky to win this game,” Gamecocks coach Ray Tanner said. “We were living a charmed life.”

South Carolina second baseman Scott Wingo was named Most Outstanding Player. He had the winning hit in the bottom of the ninth against Texas A&M and made two great plays at second base to keep Florida from scoring late in the game Monday.