Super Regional Game One

We're not allowed to shoot highlights during the Super Regional, so I'm sequestered in the press box. The big headline prior to first pitch was that Matt Rein was getting the start over Anthony Meo and Cody Wheeler. I saw Meo in the clubhouse prior to the game and he looked as if he was still fighting the effects of the summer cold bug that he got. The fact that it is about 200 degrees on the field didn't help the cause.

1ST INNING

It's amazing how one play can trigger an onslaught. On the very first batter, Rein turns his ankle making the out at first and looked like he was going to have to leave. On the very next play, Rein fielded a bounce back that should have been an easy out, but a wild throw got a three run inning started that had the Gamecocks got for a mere hit.

2ND INNING

Exit Matt Rein enter Josh Conway. The Chanticleers are very fortunate to escape with just one run. It's now 4-0 Gamecocks. With Blake Cooper throwing, it's a huge hole for the Chanticleers to dig out of.

Dan Bowman has hit a screaming liner that cleared the left field fence. It's now 4-2at the end of two.

4TH INNING

Tommy LaStella and Julio Iglesias had back to back singles and Chance Gilmore plated LaStella with a bloop single to left. The Chants had 2 on with nobody out, but Cooper got out of jam. It's 4-3 after four. Ryan Connelly is on in relief for CCU, the third pitcher of the game for the Chants.

6TH INNING

The Chanticleers threaten. Cooper loads the bases with one out. Dan Bowman, who homered earlier smashes one off Cooper's glove. Scott Wingo turns a big time 6-3 DP to get out of the jam. It remains 4-3. Shades of the 9th inning College of Charleston play - Big time play by Wingo there.

7TH INNING

An absolute head scratcher. Anthony Meo pitches a scoreless 7th. Gilly is now burning his ace in a relief role. Can he pitch on Monday if necessary? This will be the big question in the post-game press conference. I can understand if CCU had a 4-3 lead, but down 4-3, Gilly is rolling the dice in a big way.

8TH INNING

Meo pitches 1 1/3 innings in relief and throws 13 pitches. He should be ready to go on Monday if needed. Matt Laney is the sixth CCU pitcher on in relief. Laney does his job. CCU has six outs left.

The bottom of the 8th tells the story. CCU loads the bases with nobody out. Matt Price comes in and gets two strikeouts and a bounce back to the mound. If the Gamecocks get to Omaha, Price is the first key to that happening.

CCU would get two on in the 9th but once again leave ducks on the pond.

4-3 the final. Cody Wheeler will get the ball in game two. A great game. CCU had their chances to win it.