COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina fans celebrated last year’s national championship Friday, then the Gamecocks opened what they hope is another stellar season with a 12-5 victory over Santa Clara.
The festive day at Carolina Stadium began with the raising of the championship flag as the soldout crowd of 8,242 fans got their first on-field chance to cheer last June’s College World Series title.
Then Omaha heroes Jackie Bradley Jr. and Michael Roth showed the Gamecocks were ready to pick up where they left off.
Bradley was the CWS most outstanding player. He had a two-run homer and drove in South Carolina’s first three runs against the Broncos.