Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Dozens of fans gave the Gamecocks a proper welcome home Tuesday at Carolina Stadium.
The team returned to their home field from Omaha just after 1:30 p.m.
"We got a pretty good team, we got a pretty good facility but we got the best fans in the country," said Head Coach Ray Tanner to loud cheers. "We do not take that for granted."
The Gamecocks concluded their run in the postseason with a 4-1 loss to Arizona Monday night in the College World Series. The defeat ended the team's hopes for a three-peat, but even now, the players say they're putting into perspective how great the run over the last few years was.
"I'm at a loss for words of how fun the last four years of my career have been," said outfielder Adam Matthews.
Matthews will continue his baseball career as a member of the Cincinnati Reds organization.
"Once a Gamecock, always a Gamecock," said star pitcher Michael Roth. "I can't say thank you enough for all the support you have show to me personally but also the team all year."
Pitcher Matt Price said he and the team are obviously not happy with the result, but say they're already focusing on the future.
"I was disappointed last night," Price said. "But the first thing I did next...was talk to some of the young guys, kinda of set them on the right path trying to get them better so they can be there next year."