As I sit here at 11:30 eastern, I wonder what Gamecock fans are doing in Omaha. I know that here in Columbia, people are excited and ready to watch more gamecock baseball. After watching the first two games of the college world series here are my thoughts so far.
As a baseball State, Florida schools looked like they were out matched by Texas and California based schools.
TCU dismantled FSU and UCLA took advantage of the Gators mistakes. TCU beat FSU in the first game on Saturday 8-1 as FSU could not get things going against TCU’s ace Matt Purke. Purke a first round draft pick last year in the MLB draft, turned down 4 million to pitch for the Horned frogs. Purke now 15-0 on the season, lead TCU to their first CWS win in their first game in Omaha. FSU relied on the long ball and good pitching all season, found themselves out matched all game, leaving 9 on base with a couple of running blunders. Beating Texas in the Super Regional was a pretty big feat, but coming to Omaha and taking down a baseball power house 8-1 is something to be proud off. TCU will face UCLA on Monday, as the Bruins took advantage of a sloppy Gator team in the 2nd game on Saturday.
Florida came in as the SEC champions, looking to make a statement behind good pitching and strong defense. Well pitching and defense both failed the Gators as Alex Panteliodis pitched 3.1 innings giving up 5 runs. UCLA offense found a way to score 11 runs against the Gators to set up a match up against TCU on Monday. Florida will play FSU Monday in the first elimination game of the CWS. On a side note, Matt Den Decker might have made one of the greatest catches I have ever seen in college baseball. An over the shoulder catch on the warning track late in the game. Granted the catch was a little to late to win the game, but there is still a lot of baseball to play.
I just hope the sSate of South Carolina can do better than the state of Florida tomorrow, as Clemson and USC have a great opportunity to make there own statement on Omaha.
Good night gamecock fans, we will see you tomorrow at 2.
Happy Fathers Day to all you Dads out there.
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