The South Carolina Gamecocks (47-18) defeated the Kent State Golden Flashes 4-1 at TD Ameritrade Park in the College World Series on Thursday afternoon in Omaha, Nebraska. The game was postponed on Wednesday night because of rain.
Michael Roth went the distance, tossing a two-hitter for the two-time defending national champion Gamecocks. Roth (9-1) did not walk a single batter and struck out eight. He retired 22 straight batters after giving up an RBI single that gave Kent State a 1-0 advantage in the second inning. Roth is now 4-0 lifetime in the College World Series to tie the all-time record for most career wins. He has now pitched more innings (53 and two-thirds) at the CWS than any player in history.
Roth needed just 106 pitches to dispose of Kent State. The game lasted just two hours and seven minutes. It was the shortest game at the College World Series in nine years.
Grayson Greiner and Chase Vergason each had RBI singles in the bottom of the second to give the Gamecocks the lead for good. LB Dantzler added a two-run homer in the third inning to complete the scoring.
Murrells Inlet native Tanner English went 1-for-4 at the plate with a stolen base.
Kent State (47-20) is eliminated. South Carolina advances to play the Arkansas Razorbacks at 9 p.m. The Gamecocks must beat the Razorbacks twice to advance to the championship round on Saturday.
