The Crowning of a King, The Farwell to a Castle

In the parks final year, Rosenblatt Stadium came into Tuesday night hosting the Division 1 College World Series for the final time since it started hosting the event in 1950. But before college baseball could head off to its new home for next years 2011 College World Series in TD Ameritrade Park. There was one final series to be played, and let it be known that the baseball gods were defiantly watching.

This years match up, the (54 – 16) North Carolina Gamecocks against the (51 – 17) UCLA Bruins. And if history could serve as a preview, the UCLA Bruins came into this College World Series having won 106 National Titles in their schools history.

The UCLA Bruins opponent of the other side of the diamond was the North Carolina Gamecocks, who entered play having only won one single National Championship in their school’s history. That championship coming in 2002 from an Out Door Girls Track championship, led by head coach Curtis Frye. Not a championship coming from a high profile coach you would expect like football icon like Steve Spurier.

UCLA sent out their starting pitcher Rob Rasmussen who went 6 strong innings. Only allowing 6 hits, 4 walks, and setting down batters with 5 strikeouts as he tried to help his team hold off elimination. With a possible Game 3 on the line, South Carolina who had already won the previous game in a (7 – 1) victory, sent out their starter Michael Roth who went 5 innings. He allowed 6 hits, gave up one earned run, and left his team in it on the brink of their 2nd ever National Championship. But first they had some catching up to do down (1 – 0) in the 6th inning.

Fast forward to the 8th inning now, where an error on UCLA first basemen Dean Espy, a ground ball hitting off his glove, allows Bobby Haney to reach safely and have Robert Beary score the game tying run. Making the game (1 – 1).

Move to the bottom of the 11th inning where a sold out crowd is on the edge of their seats. Right Fielder Whit Merrifield at the plate. He hits a opposite field single along the right field line, bringing home Scott Wingo and the wining run to make the South Carolina Gamecocks the 2010 College World Series Champions.

This for sure was a game and a College World Series run for the ages. But take into account that this was the fifth College World Series Championship decided in extra innings. The last time since 1970 when South California beat Florida State in a 15 inning epic, with narrow score of (2 – 1).

South Carolina at the end of the day showed their true colors. They were able to comeback after losing their first game in the 2010 College World Series. And win all their remaining games to take the College Baseball Crown.

With all the emotion on the field Tuesday night, you can’t help but imagine the baseball gods were looking down on this game Tuesday night. Smile on down on some of baseball future stars, and especially Rosenblatt Stadium for one last time.