COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP, WLTX) -- With South Carolina's mascot, Cocky, raising the back-to-back National Champions flag, the Gamecocks opened the season the same way they ended the previous two--with a win.
The two-time defending College World Series winners defeated VMI Friday 2-1 at a sold-out Carolina Stadium in front of 8,242 fans.
USC scored first in the third inning when second baseman Chase Vergason ran home on a wild pitch by VMI's Coby Cowgill. They got the go-ahead run in the eight when LB Dantzler knocked home Evan Marzilli.
Starter Michael Roth pitched six innings, giving up four hits, a run, and striking out six. Tyler Webb, who came on in relief, got the win, while Forrest Koumas earned a save.
Before the game, garnet-and-black clad fans got a chance to crow a little about the program's national dominance the past two years.
Fans posed for pictures in front of a display holding both CWS trophies. The South Carolina National Guard Band played at the entrance way as cheerleaders and spirit squad members handed out commemorative posters.
The past two CWS most outstanding players for the Gamecocks, outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and second baseman Scott Wingo, threw out the opening pitches.