The Gamecocks will start sophomore Michael Roth tonight in Game 2 of the CWS Finals. Roth pitched a complete game three-hitter last Thursday against Clemson, allowing an earned run and striking out four.

UCLA's starter tonight will be left-hander Rob Rasmussen. He has an 11-3 record with a 2.87 ERA in 103.1 innings of work. He has struck out 123 batters and opponents are batting .213 against him this season. In his last start in the CWS against TCU on Friday, he worked 4.1 innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs. He struck out six and walked three.

To say that pitching has been a key for the Gamecocks would be an understatement. As a staff, South Carolina has a 2.41 ERA in six games with 50 strikeouts and nine walks. Opponents are hitting a meager .186 against Gamecock pitching. Carolina has held all six opponents in Omaha to four runs or less.

The Gamecocks are now 30-4 when holding an opponent to three runs or less, including each of its last four opponents in Omaha.

After last night's win, the Gamecocks improved to 26-2 this season when scoring in the first inning and 36-6 when scoring first. The seven runs versus the Bruins last night was Carolina's second-highest output in the 2010 CWS. The Gamecocks have scored in the first inning in each of their last three CWS games.

All nine starters (and all 10 players who had a plate appearance) for South Carolina had a hit in last night's win.

Five of South Carolina's seven runs were scored with two outs. South Carolina has 14 two-out RBIs in the CWS. TCU leads all teams with 16 - UCLA has five.

Some final notes on Blake Cooper...last night marked the 11th time in 20 starts this season that Cooper has allowed two runs or less. His 20 starts are the most by any pitcher in the country. His 10 strikeouts tied the CWS Finals record. It was the third time this season and second time in the NCAA Tournament Cooper struck out 10 or more batters. In five NCAA Tournament starts this season, Cooper has a 3-1 record with a 2.18 ERA, striking out 38 in 33 innings. In Omaha, he is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA, allowing 13 hits over 18.2 innings.

South Carolina Starting Lineup
LF Evan Marzilli
RF Whit Merrifield
CF Jackie Bradley, Jr.
1B Christian Walker
3B Adrian Morales
DH Adam Matthews
C Kyle Enders
SS Bobby Haney
2B Scott Wingo

UCLA Starting Lineup
SS Niko Gallego
CF Beau Amaral
DH Blair Dunlap
1B Dean Espy
2B Cody Regis
RF Brett Krill
LF Chris Giovinazzo
3B Trevor Brown
C Steve Rodriguez