South Carolina Wins the College World Series; Simultaneously Makes Vanderbilt Look Better AND Worse

by Train Island on Jun 30, 2010 11:01 AM EDT in Vanderbilt Commodores Baseball

Congratulations to the Gamecocks. Every Vanderbilt baseball player should use this picture to work themselves up into a rage before games in the 2011 season.

Last night, South Carolina won the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament by virtue of a thrilling 11-inning, walk-off win against #6 UCLA, 3-2. The Gamecocks were at the top of the SEC throughout the regular season, battling with Florida for the league's top spot for most of the year, and despite being overlooked throughout the College World Series, the team bounced back from an opening game loss to earn the school's second-ever national championship. The silver lining here for Vanderbilt fans that had to watch a divisional rival culminate their season with a happy dogpile in the middle of an Omaha baseball stadium? The fact that the Commodores played South Carolina tougher than almost any other opponent the NCAA champions faced in 2010.

As is the case with the end of most Vandy athletic seasons, this one ends with a moral victory if you view it through the right lens. Throughout the season, only East Carolina, Florida, Vanderbilt and Kentucky proved they could hang with the Gamecocks during the regular season. Though the Commodores lost their series in Nashville, the young squad hung tough in their two losses - a pair of low-scoring games decided by a total of three runs - and won big in an 8-2 rout in game two. Need more inspiring news? The players that performed the best against the champs are all coming back next year - Sonny Gray, Jack Armstrong, Joe Loftus, Connor Harrell, and Anthony Gomez.

However, at the same time, South Carolina bested Vanderbilt in the SEC rankings concerning national championships. For the past three years, the two schools had been knotted at one apiece - and tied for ninth amongst all SEC schools. With the win, the formerly quasi-irrelevant Gamecock athletic department picked up the major championship the university had been aiming for, and the legitimacy the school had been craving in the Southeastern Conference. After decades of work, South Carolina has shed their bridesmaid status, leaving Vanderbilt in its dust.

Now, the Commodores reign over only the Mississippi schools due to their superiority in women's bowling, and the conference boasts just three members that lack a major national championship. But with the inspiration of South Carolina's recent run and Vanderbilt's ability to hang on to super-coach Tim Corbin, that gap is more likely to shrink than expand. The 'Dores will catch the Gamecocks in the SEC rankings again - and probably in Omaha. If you think seeing the kids they battled with over three tight games in Nashville celebrating at Rosenblatt Stadium didn't inspire this year's crop of Commodores, then you don't understand this team.

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As a Vandy Alum here in Columbia with a Clemson grad for a Fiancee

I do have a very mixed feeling about the whole thing. I mean, the Gamecocks did win the national championship, and in a state like South Carolina that’s absolutely huge. But then again, since the Gamecocks/Tigers are like the end-all-be-all around here I will likely have to hear about it constantly. I suppose that’s my choice by living here, but man it can get under your skin.

Anyway, Vandy baseball is on the up and up and it’ll get there. The SEC is an absolute beast of a baseball conference and we’re right there in the thick of it.

by Stanimal@VSL on Jun 30, 2010 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

Major sports

Just out of curiosity, what criteria do you apply to determine a major sport? Not saying that baseball wouldn’t be major for me, or maybe for SEC fans in general. But among fans nationally, it’s pretty clear that college baseball is way behind the big two, and perhaps even with or a little ahead of WBB.

In any event, as much as I love and respect VU bowlers, obviously their championship doesn’t count for much in the public consciousness.

by PhilipVU94 on Jun 30, 2010 12:50 PM EDT reply actions

I'd put baseball on the fringe

Due to its ability to create lasting stars and legacies, as well as its ability to capture solid media coverage. Its the 2nd tier of major sports, along with wbb, and behind football and mbb. Behind them you’ve got hockey/lacrosse and potentially others…I’d have to think more about it, but I’d consider baseball/wbb the final 2 corners of the current major sports landscape. Weak corners, maybe, but growing.

http://www.anchorofgold.com - For all 27 Vanderbilt fans out there.

by Train Island on Jun 30, 2010 1:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I think a lot of it is regional or even state-based

South Carolina is a perfect example. There is no major sports team in the state. Sure, the majority of NFL fans here support the Panthers, and I would say there is loose support for the Braves, but college sports are the end all be all here.

College baseball, in particular, has a very large following because of the quality of programs here (Clemson, South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston). Thus some in SC would take issue with baseball not being one of at least the Big Three. As someone who is a die hard basketball and football fan, I wouldn’t put it remotely in the same realm. Nationally, I think you’d find a similar trend. But baseball would come much closer to rivaling men’s basketball. South Carolina has put a lot of money into baseball facilities here, which is a reason they are able to attract nationally renowned candidates.

by Stanimal@VSL on Jun 30, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

National Champions in Mississippi

This might be a bit off topic, but Ole Miss does have National Championships in Football from ‘59, ’60, and ’62. These championships come from other polls, and the Rebels shared the title with other #1’s in their respective polls. What polls qualify as valid for the SEC to consider it a national championship?

by emmonssw on Jun 30, 2010 6:47 PM EDT reply actions

Honestly -

I was just going for quick data on all championships and I used wikipedia’s entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_SEC_national_champions

In my haste, I didn’t look at all the Ole Miss entries, just the table at the bottom of the post – and you’re completely right. That’s a flaw on the NCAA’s part and not Ole Miss’s, so they should be considered close to Alabama in the view of SEC National Champions. Damn muddled football rankings. Thanks for pointing that out.

http://www.anchorofgold.com - For all 27 Vanderbilt fans out there.

by Train Island on Jul 2, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions