Christian Walker scores the game winning run
Christian Walker stole second base in the top of the 11th and two Florida Gator throwing errors brought him home with the winning run in a 2-1 Gamecocks win in game one of the National Championship Series. South Carolina takes a one game to none lead in the best of three series.
Gamecocks freshman starter Forrest Koumas threw 5 2/3 innings of solid work, yielding just a sacrifice fly from Cody Dent to score Tyler Thompson in the third inning. It stayed a 1-0 game until the eighth inning as Gators starter Hudson Randall kept the Gamecocks off the scoreboard. Scott Wingo delivered a two out base hit up the middle to score Peter Mooney to tie the game at one.
From there, the Gamecocks used their stellar defense that has been their calling card throughout the post-season. Florence's John Taylor came on and loaded the basees in the ninth with nobody out. With the infield in, Scott Wingo made a diving play and threw to home to get the first out. Then, Wingo made another tremendous defensive play starting a 4-2-3 double play to get the Gamecocks out of a jam and into extra innings.
In the bottom of the 10th, it appeared that Florida was about to get a walk-off win again when Mike Zunino ripped a shot to left. Cody Dent was on second base and got the green light to score the game winner, but Jake Williams throw from left was on the money and Robert Beary made the tag to keep the game tied at 1.
Walker, who was playing with a broken bone in his left wrist, singled in the 11th. Then, after stealing second base, the throw went into centerfield, and the following throw went wild allowing Walker to score the game winner. Taylor picks up the win to improve to 8-1 on the season with two shutout innings. Matt Price, who was not supposed to pitch after a career long outing against Virginia on Friday, pitched a scoreless 11th to get a save.
Game two is set for Tuesday night at 6pm. Michael Roth is the expected starter for the Gamecocks.
NCAA.com: USC 2 Florida 1 Highlights
NCAA.com: Gamecocks post game press conference
