Tenacious rivals South Carolina, Florida can't wait for first pitch

OMAHA -Defending national champion South Carolina and Florida -- Southeastern Conference rivals -- play their biggest series to date when they meet in the College World Series finals beginning Monday.

Last year, the Gators traveled to Columbia, S.C., the final weekend of the regular season and won two of three to edge out the Gamecocks for the SEC title.

"But they got the last laugh," said Florida catcher and SEC Player of the Year Mike Zunino. "They got to hold the national championship trophy up."

Three months ago, South Carolina went to Florida and won two of three, and the teams ended up in a three-way tie with Vanderbilt for the league's best record.

Yes, anticipation for this championship series has been brewing.

"You know, if all you guys went away and there were no fans and we were on the back sandlot, I'm not sure it would be any different," Gamecocks coach Ray Tanner said Sunday. "I think they love to play. We love to play. Yeah, there's a lot more at stake now than there ever was before. But it's really genuine baseball. Let's go."

Florida will start sophomore Hudson Randall (11-3) against freshman Forrest Koumas (6-1) in Game 1. The Gators will send out freshman Karsten Whitson (8-0) for Game 2.

Before coach Kevin O'Sullivan's arrival four years ago, the Gators had failed to make the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 20 years.

O'Sullivan said Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley wanted a program that would be competitive year in and year out.

"It was all about consistency and being one of the elite programs in the country," he said. "I've never put a timetable on it. This league is too difficult. I think if you get too far ahead of yourself and look too far ahead, then you'll find yourself in some trouble."

Zunino, Randall, shortstop Nolan Fontana and third baseman Cody Dent were among the freshmen on Florida's 2010 team that reached the College World Series for the first time since 2005. The Gators lost two and went home.

Last year, the Gamecocks won six in a row after losing their World Series opener. They won the title game against UCLA on their last at-bat, and this year two of their three victories have come in walk-off fashion.