Scott Wingo uses the term “battle” a lot when describing how his Gamecock teammates play. The term definitely fit in game 1 of the finals. “Torture”, the word the 2010 MLB World Series San Francisco Giants use to describe themselves, also seems to fit. First baseman, Christian Walker, was a late addition to the lineup, as he played with a BROKEN hambate bone (the same injury SF Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval had surgery on earlier this season). Walker doubled in his first at bat. Unfortunately, he was left stranded.

Forrest Koumas (6-1) got the start for the Gamecocks. It was his first outing in 20 games. Gator Tyler Thompson scored on a wild pitch in the third inning. The game was pretty quiet for a few innings. Tyler Webb replaced Koumas in the 6th. Koumas pitched 5 2/3 innings and only gave up one earned run and three hits. He struck out four and walked one.

The eight inning is where it started to get interesting. Gamecocks catcher, Robert Beary successfully bunted Peter Mooney to second. Mooney makes it to third on a deep flyball with two outs. Wingo singled up the middle and scored Beary. Steven Rodriguez replaced Gator starter Hudson Randall after giving up the tying run. Rodriguez promplty fanned Jackie Bradley, Jr. Randall’s line: 7.2 IP, 6 K, 3 H, 1 ER and 1 BB.

In the top of the ninth, Austin Maddox replaces Rodriguez and gets a double play. In the second half of the inning,Florida has runners on first and third with no outs. Josh Adams is intentionally walked. Tyler Thompson reaches first base on a fielder’s choice. The runner is out when Beary fields a ball by Wingo. Daniel Pigott hits the ball at Wingo who throws out runner at home and Beary then throws Pigott out at first to end the inning.

Jake Williams & Beary get on base in the tenth. Nick Maronde then replaces Maddox with one out. Wingo hit the ball at Adams to end the inning. John Taylor replaced Webb. Cody Dent got a single. Fontana gets Dent to second, but is thrown out at first. Smith flies out to left field. Preston Tucker is intentionally walked. Mike Zunino hits the ball at Williams who guns Dent out at home.

Bradley leads off the 11th and hits a rocket right at Tucker, who quickly knocks it down. Walker follows with a single. During Matthews at bat, Walker steals second and Zunino makes a wild throw, allowing him to advance to third. Another wild throw is made by Smith and Walker comes home to take the lead for South Carolina. Matthews eventually walks. Morales pops up and Williams is fanned to end the inning.

Friday’s savior, Matt Price, comes in to try to earn a save (no pun intended). The first batter he faces, Johnson, singles on the first pitch. Paul Wilson comes in to pitch run. Adams lays down a bunt to get Wilson over. Thompson strikes outs and Pigott flies out to end the game.

The Gamecocks will send Michael Roth on three days rest in Tuesday’s game. If the Gamecocks win on Tuesday, they will be the 2011 College World Series champions. They would be the first team to win back-to-back titles since Oregon State accomplished the feat in 2006-2007.

Let’s battle!