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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BASEBALL TEAM, UPON WINNING THE 2011 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES, AND TO COMMEND THE TEAM MEMBERS, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR ANOTHER MOMENTOUS, CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives learned with tremendous pride that the University of South Carolina baseball team won their second consecutive national championship at the College World Series held in Omaha, Nebraska; and
Whereas, Coach Ray Tanner's Gamecock baseball team won the school's first national championship in any major sport by winning the 2010 College World Series, and in 2011, the Gamecock baseball team won a repeat title that included no losses during the series; and
Whereas, the Gamecocks garnered the 2010 College World Series as the sun set on historic Rosenblatt Stadium, and they brought a glorious sunrise to the brand new TD Ameritrade Park by capturing the 2011 title; and
Whereas, when the Gamecocks and the University of Florida Gators met in the best two out of three finals, the College World Series had become a Southeastern Conference (SEC) showdown because of the elimination of Virginia, California, Texas, Texas A & M, and North Carolina, all non-SEC teams, and Vanderbilt, the third SEC team in the series; and
Whereas, the 5-2 victory over the Florida Gators in game two of the finals after beating the Gators in game one of the finals in an eleven inning thriller stands as a tribute to former University of South Carolina Coaches Bobby Richardson and June Raines, who developed a baseball program worthy of national acclaim; and
Whereas, celebrating their victory with a traditional dogpile on the pitcher's mound, the players had reason to celebrate two other records not soon to be repeated by another team: sixteen consecutive NCAA tournament victories and eleven consecutive College World Series victories. The last game they lost in the world series was the first game of the 2010 series; and
Whereas, often repeating their game-winning mantra, "battle," the players battled through injuries to their lineup all season and into the postseason, and emerged victorious through heart, determination, and effort, all the while maintaining their cool and calm composure; and
Whereas, although the last game of the 2011 series ended in eight and a half innings, the road to that game was not so short. The Gamecocks escaped three bases-loaded, no-out jams in extra innings to win their second victory over Virginia in thirteen innings, and they took eleven innings in the first game of the finals to defeat Florida after dodging another bases-loaded, no-out threat; and
Whereas, the powerful defensive work of second baseman Scott Wingo, third baseman Adrian Morales, catcher Brady Thomas, and centerfielder Jackie Bradley allowed southpaw pitching ace Michael Roth, side-winder John Taylor, and powerhouse closer Matt Price to stop any significant offensive threats; and
Whereas, the aggressive Gamecock offense forced opposing pitchers to rotate repeatedly in the middle innings while Christian Walker in the first game of the Florida final hit a single, stole second, and scored the winning run, all with a fractured wrist; and
Whereas, because the TD Ameritrade Park does not stand on a hill to receive favorable winds for the batters as Rosenblatt Stadium did, and because the wind was blowing into the stadium against the batters for the second finals game, only Peter Mooney of the Gamecocks managed to hit a home run; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are once again grateful for the national attention and recognition that the athletes of the University of South Carolina baseball team have brought to their school and to the Palmetto State and expect to hear of continued championship accomplishments in the years ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the University of South Carolina baseball team, upon winning the 2011 College World Series, and commend the team members, coaches, and school officials for a another momentous, championship season.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides and Head Coach Ray Tanner.
This web page was last updated on June 29, 2011 at 5:28 PM