The College World Series is still being held despite South Carolina's absence. The Gamecocks came up a game short and are watching from home. It's the worst finish for the Garnet and Black since 2009, but it was hardly a bad finish.
Back to back national championships confirmed the Gamecocks position as one of elite national powerhouses in college baseball. It also a new high water mark for the program, and raised the question, "how do we now measure success?"
Success is going to be different for everyone. A friend of mine defined success as winning 40 games and making the NCAA tournament. My standard is a little higher: win 40 games, have a home regional and win that regional. That would theoretically be a Top 16 finish. Of course, we'd all like to go to the CWS and win it each year, but the season can still be successful without it. In my mind, this team had a successful season.
What Went Right
Nolan Belcher and Adam Westmoreland had outstanding seasons. Both fifth year seniors saved their best for last. Belcher had fallen out of the rotation his middle years on campus and became the rock of the rotation and the Friday night starter. Adam Westmoreland lived up to his potential and became the lock down long reliever. Tyler Webb had an amazing year as the closer. He succeeded Matt Price as well as anyone could have, and was dominant in his own right. Then there was Jordan Montgomery. An injury kept him from being first team all SEC, but he was amazing when healthy and should be next year as well.
LB Dantzler was so consistent at the plate that his clutch hits became expected. Joey Pankake put early season mistakes behind him and had a break out season at the plate. Grayson Greiner and Chase Vergason were steady, as well. Max Schrock had a strong season and will be a star. Jack Wynkoop developed and should be a weekend stalwart next yar.
What could have gone Better
The corner outfiled positions didn't produce consistently enough. Saiko was hot for a while and Bright was too, but no one was all season. Carson and Costen had some chances but never really got into a groove.
Injuries happen to every team every year but Tanner English and Jordan Motgomery were the South Carolina victims. English was slated for a monster year with the swith hitting, but the shoulder injury noticeably limited his production.
What went wrong
Generally the defense wasn't as good as it shouldhave been, and the team didn't hit as well as it could have, until the post season.
Right handed pitching was a big disappointment. I expected Colby Holmes to win 8 – 10 games as a weekend starter. I also thought Evan Beal had the tools to be a major contributor. Hopefully that hope will be confirmed next year.
In the end
Coach Holbrook is going to be compared to Ray Tanner for some time. These teams are going to be compared to College World Series championship teams for some time as well. In those terms, the 2013 Gamecocks fell short, but that's not the right perspective. The 2013 Gamecocks finished second in the East, won 40 games, hosted a regional and won it. That's a good season, and it should be better in 2014.
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