The second inning of the 2011 CWS final's second game: not much happened besides exceptional pitching. BORING! Neither Michael Roth of the South Carolina Gamecocks nor Karsten Whitson of the Florida Gators allowed a single batter on base, so let's move on to the third.
Roth again tore through Florida's offense, seating Cody Dent, Bryson Smith and Nolan Fontana in order. Those of you who were hoping for a pitchers' duel highlighted by some total chaos at the end -- well, it looked like we were gonna get the first part.
But in the bottom of the third, pinging finally occurred. Peter Mooney scored a leadoff double off of Whitson, slapping the bal into the left field corner. Robert Beary was able to advance Mooney, though Whitson considered attempting to snag the leading baserunner. Evan Marzilli walked to put men on the corners, and a deep fly to right by frequent hero Scott Wingo sent Mooney on home.
The freshman pitcher's troubles weren't over, either, as he walked Jackie Bradley Jr. before Christian Walker sent a bobbled shot up the middle to score Marzilli. Blue jerseys scrambled to the bullpen, but not before Brady Thomas plated Bradley Jr. on an awkward chopper over the mound.
The inning ended with the Gamecocks scoring as many runs in one inning as both teams combined did in 11 the night before.
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