I can credit the majority of my recent knowledge to the Daily Gamecock (thanks for that huge baseball section) and “GamecockBaseball” on Twitter. I know…I’m pathetic. So for all of you baseball admirers out there that, like me, don’t exactly understand the game…this is your year. You may think it cliché to become a fan after we won it all but so what? A fan is a fan, and with the target on our backs this year, fans are what the team needs.

Call me fair-weathered but I can’t read you the roster from three years ago, nor can I tell you what other positions there are besides the basic bases and pitcher. But I might be able to do that this year. I’m a recent fan and plan to stay that way…that includes attending games regularly. (Ticketmaster: a little help with my ticket situation would be nice.)

This particular series was awesome of course, and most eventful, because it was the first of the season. The traffic outside of the Greek Village and massive amounts of cones, cops and busses blocking my way to Bojangles indicated the seriously impressive turnout. And the repeated GamecockBaseball tweets indicated that we won.

So here are the basic, nitty gritty facts for all you new and clueless fans like me. But remember what I said before…I’m not exactly the brightest bulb in the stadium lights when it comes to baseball, so do some research as well.

1. We were the National Champs last year, beat Clemson twice in the playoffs and won in Omaha, Nebraska.
2. Jackie Bradley Jr. was named Most Outstanding Player from USC in the championship.
3. Since the big win, Carolina has had a target on their backs. Everyone is looking to beat us now, and it’s going to be hard to stay on top.
4. Scott Wingo scored the run that won the College World Series.
5. Pitcher Michael Roth helped the Gamecocks get ahead in the series when they needed it, and he begins this season as starting pitcher.

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