Well, the USC Gamecocks baseball team (48-16) knows what they have to do in their next game and that is win. Their backs are firmly against the wall in the elimination game against the Arizona State (52-9) Sun Devils.
USC enters the loser-goes-home game after losing to the Oklahoma Sooners by the score of 4-3. The loss is tough to stomach looking back because of the long day number one but most importantly because of the chances squandered. Let’s just say Carolina was knocking on the door of opportunity yet could not turn the knob and walk through.
No excuses however as both teams faced the same rain, the same delays and the same sitting around for 9+ hours. I thought USC looked real good despite all the factors they faced on Saturday and Tanner had them in position to win but fell short.
USC has to play like it is their last game when they meet ASU, meaning they need to develop a never say die attitude quickly and put it on display. Fight to win each inning and each at bat. This team has the ability so that is not in question but what needs to be seen is the “fight” in the fighting gamecocks.
For USC to be successful going forward, USC must capitalize off its’ chances. In the loss to the Sooners, South Carolina had bases loaded in the eighth inning and again in the ninth. The Gamecocks stranded 10 players on base total last night. RISP is like a bad word to USC baseball fans as this has plagued SC the last few months.
USC has the pitching and knows how to produce runs. It’s taking that knowledge of how to score and doing it when it counts that has been frustrating for USC players and fans.
What is in front of the team now is a long road but a road they have navigated before. In fact, losing the first game at the CWS is something a bit common for USC. Carolina has lost in the first game in seven consecutive CWS appearances.
SC knows how to struggle back and get on a winning foot as in those previous seven appearances only twice did Carolina fall in the second game.
Examples – In 2004, the Gamecocks won three straight games after losing the opener and in 2002 the Gamecocks made it all the way to the championship game with four straight wins after falling in the opening game.
Carolina will take on top-seeded Arizona State in a loser-goes-home game. At this point it is simple what USC must do – WIN.
The Gamecocks will need to play one of their best games against a very good ASU team that has lost only 9 games in 2010.
It can be done as evidenced by the other school from South Carolina winning against them today so the mountain can be conquered. ASU will come in fired up and looking to pounce. USC too must come in with the same attitude and show what the fighting gamecocks are all about.
Carolina will be the home team in Tuesday’s game versus ASU, which will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT.
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USC – OU Box Score
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