COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
Hundreds of fans gathered at Carolina Stadium Wednesday morning to send the Gamecock baseball team to Omaha psyched for a College World Series three-peat.
Coach Ray Tanner thanked the fans for the support and told them they are the team's "10th man."
"I wouldn't miss this for the world," said fan Barbara Pate."I got up early this morning at 7 O'clock."
The team is on its way to Omaha to defend its two national championships. USC swept Oklahoma in two games of the Super Regional in Columbia to advance to the College World Series.
"With Ray Tanner calling the shots, I'm very confident he'll come back with it," said fan Archie Ard.
"All the clothes we have for him are too big so we had to make him this shirt," said Ashley Robles, who had to make a shirt for her 8-year-old son, Braylen. "We even put a 3 on the back for a 3 peat."
Braylen Robles might've qualified as the youngest member of the faithful, but Betty Smith thinks she has the title on the other end.
"I think I'm probably the oldest at 82."
Smith drove to Columbia from Norway to get a look at her beloved team in person.
Brooke Powell got a high-five from her personal favorite.
"Michael Roth, #29, is the most attractive Gamecock," she said. "He's the hottest out of all of them. His personality, he's fun and smart. What woman wouldn't want that?"
"I got to touch his hand! Powell exclaimed. "I felt like they were gonna win again. I think they can. Anyone that goes to Omaha has a chance to win it."
The Gamecocks might have a better chance than anyone else thanks to the magical powers of 4-year-old Willow Pate.
"Her hair is good luck," said Willow's mother, Barbara. "The first time they went to Omaha they rubbed Willow's hair for good luck. Michael Roth, Whit Merrifield, all of them."
The Gamecocks take on SEC rival Florida Saturday night in Omaha. The game will be televised on ESPN at 9 p.m. EST.
The South Carolina team headquarters will be the Hilton Omaha 1001 Cass St. in Omaha.
WIS News 10 will have a crew in Omaha for College World Series coverage.
Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.
(Source: The Big Spur)
