Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

OMAHA, Neb. (AP, WACH) — Michael Roth pitched seven and two-thirds innings on three days' rest, and South Carolina won its second straight national championship with a 5-2 victory Tuesday night that completed a two-game sweep over Florida in the College World Series finals.

"It's surreal, it's just incredible," said Roth, who threw 342 pitches over three starts at the College World Series. "God works in mysterious ways.  It's the only way to explain it."

South Carolina (55-14) became the first team to ever go 10-0 in an NCAA tournament and the first since Oregon State in 2007 to go unbeaten in a CWS.

The Gamecocks' streaks of 16 NCAA tournament wins and 11 straight in the CWS are both the longest all-time. South Carolina has the distinction of winning the last CWS played at Rosenblatt Stadium and the first at TD Ameritrade Park.

"We battled every game.  For a team to beat us they were going to have to take it from us," said second baseman Scott Wingo, who was named Most Outstanding Player. "Nobody was going to take it from us."

University officials are hosting a celebration party for the team and fans at Colonial Life Arena Wednesday in Columbia. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the team is scheduled to arrive at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

A replay of the championship game will be played on the scoreboard and concession stands will be open, according to USC. Championship merchandise will also be available for purchase. Parking for the event is free and will be on a first-come, first-served basis in all surface lots at Colonial Life Arena and the Discovery Garage.

After giving up four runs in the first inning of their opener against Texas A&M, the Gamecocks allowed just six in their other 50 innings in the College World Series.

"To win back-to-back it's hard to explain," said coach Ray Tanner.  "It's not something you think is going to happen.  You don't necessarily think it's impossible, but it's hard to imagine."

The Gamecocks are the sixth team to win consecutive national titles and first since Oregon State in 2006-2007.

What do you think about the Gamecocks back-to-back baseball national championship? Are you more excited about the victory or sad to see the season over? Leave a comment and let us know.