COLUMBIA (WACH) - Scott Wingo's bases loaded single scored Robert Beary with the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth, as the South Carollina Gamecocks (51-14) posted a 5-4 win over the Texas A&M Aggies (47-21) in the opening round of the 2011 College World Series.
Beary opened the ninth with a double to right off reliever Kyle Martin. Jackie Bradley Jr. followed with a single to left, his first hit since April 19, moving Beary to third. Evan Marzilli walked to load the bases, setting up Wingo's heroics. Wingo set a career high with four hits in the contest.
The Aggies jumped on top with four unearned runs in the top of the first inning. Brandon Wood's two-out three-run triple was the key blow.
The Gamecocks bounced right back with four of their own in the bottom of the frame. Marzilli led off with a walk, Wingo and Christian Walker followed with singles to load the bases with no one out. Marzilli scored the first run on a balk, then an Aggie throwing error plated two more runs. Peter Mooney's two-out RBI single scored Adrian Morales with the Gamecocks' fourth run of the inning.
After the rough first inning, both starting pitchers, Michael Roth for South Carolina and Ross Stripling for Texas A&M, settled in for the pitcher's duel that many expected, putting up zeros on the scoreboard for the next seven innings.
Roth was lifted in the eighth inning after throwing 124 pitches. He allowed four hits and four unearned runs while walking five and fanning eight in 7.1 innings. The 13-game winner extended his streak to 37.1 innings without allowing an earned run as he lowered his season ERA to 0.97.
Stripling, a 14-game winner, threw eight complete innings, allowing seven hits and four runs, two earned, with one walk and six strikeouts. He threw 114 pitches.
Matt Price (6-3) picked up the win with two-thirds scoreless innings of work.
The Gamecocks will play in the winner bracket game on Tuesday night against top-ranked Virginia at 7 p.m. ET.
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