The 2011 College World Series had its first walkoff win of the tournament as the defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Texas A&M Aggies 5-4 on a long single in the bottom of the ninth. The two teams had each put four runs on the board in the first inning before settling in to a taut pitchers' duel. The defending champs finally ended things in the ninth with a bases loaded single to right field.
Texas A&M jumped on top early with four runs in the top of the first. Tyler Naquin reached base on a fielding error by SC first baseman Christian Walker. He was eventually driven in on a Jacob House single. A double steal was then followed by a walk and a three-run triple and the Aggies had to be excited about their start.
The Gamecocks quickly rebounded in the bottom of the first netting four runs, two of which were unearned. After a walk and two singles loaded the bases, Evan Marzilli scored on a balk. Adrian Morales then reached base on an error by second baseman Andrew Collazo, which allowed two more runs to score. Peter Mooney capped the scoring with a two-out RBI single and it was suddenly 4-4.
The two pitchers settled down at that point and threw up goose eggs into the ninth inning. Ross Stripling went eight strong, striking out six, while MIchael Roth went 7 1/3, striking out eight. In the bottom of the ninth however, the Aggies bullpen caved in. Kyle Martin opened the inning by allowing a double to Robert Beary. Nick Fleece came on in relief and gave up a single to Jackie Bradley Jr. The single was hit hard enough to left field that Beary could not score. Fleece walked Evan Marzilli, at which point A&M brought in their center fielder to create a fifth infielder. However, Scott Wingo drilled a deep shot to right field that hit the wall and allowed Beary to score the winning run.
On Tuesday, South Carolina will face Virginia in the winners' bracket, while Cal will face Texas A&M in the losers' bracket.
Make sure and follow our 2011 College World Series StoryStream over the coming days for CWS results. For more on Cal, check out California Golden Blogs.