South Carolina takes Game 1

Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb.

Christian Walker, cleared to play with a broken wrist a half-hour before the game, scored from first base on two throwing errors in the 11th inning and defending champion South Carolina beat Florida 2-1 in Game 1 of the College World Series final Monday night.

In a finish that looked a lot like their 13-inning win over Virginia on Friday, the Gamecocks (54-14) performed defensive magic late, throwing out two runners at home plate in the bottom of the ninth and another in the 10th.

Walker, who fractured his left wrist in the win over Virginia, singled up the middle to start the 11th. Florida catcher Mike Zunino threw into center field as Walker stole second. Walker took off for third and was awarded home after Bryson Smith’s throw from the outfield bounced away from Cody Dent and into the stands.

Walker played despite having a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist. He doubled in his first at-bat for the Gamecocks.

A similar injury to teammate Jackie Bradley Jr. on April 23 caused him to miss 27 games.

Bradley returned for the start of the CWS and went into Monday’s game batting .364 in Omaha. Only Jake Williams, at .417, was hitting better for the Gamecocks.