The South Carolina Gamecocks only needed one more win to take down the CWS. They had a tough time finding it against the UCLA Bruins last night. The Gamecocks were able to generate a score in the bottom of the 8th to tie it at one. UCLA was just five outs away from reaching the final game. Then in the 11th, Whit Merrifield poked an RBI putting the cocks up 2-1 to end the series.

Sadly, this was the last CWS for Rosenblatt Stadium, the long running home of the NCAA tourney. Blatt has hosted the the CWS every season for the past 61 years. The CWS is moving to a shiny new stadium in downtown Omaha next year priced around $130 million. They are not going to start tearing the Blatt down just yet. Minor league baseball and the United Football League need to first finish up their schedules there this summer and fall.

Both teams played outstanding baseball last night. It was a rightful end for Blatt Stadium. In the top of the 5th, Niko Gallego knocked an RBI single for the Bruins. The Gamecocks were held to zero all night by UCLA's Rob Rasmussen. Clutch pitching and strong D kept the score at 1-0 until the 8th.

One of the nation's best closers Dan Klein of the Bruins stepped up in the bottom of the 8th. He ran into a little problem, South Carolina rallied. Brady Thomas, Gamecocks pinch hitter, led off with a single. Then pinch runner Robert Beary was advanced to second on a ground out. Bobby Haney stepped to the plate and put a grounder into right field bringing Thomas home to tie the game. The score resulted from Dean Epsy fail in right field, which resulted in Epsy punching a bench, injuring his hand and leaving the game.

Tight play took the game to the bottom of the 11th. Scott Wingo faced a full count, drew a walk, and then was able to reach second on a passed ball. Wingo was moved to 3rd with a great sacrifice bunt by Evan Marzilli. The Bruins elected not to walk Whit Marrifield and Jackie Bradley Jr. in order to set up force outs for a double play. Merrifield worked the count until he saw a fastball. It was a little low but he made solid contact giving the cocks a 2-1 win to end the CWS.