Travis Haney

Gamecock Encore: the 2011 University of South Carolina Baseball Team's Run to Back-to-back Ncaa Championships Travis Haney

After the Gamecocks baseball team's historic, heart-pounding run to the 2010 College World Series title, another swing at the title seemed unlikely. But in 2011, the team once again made history, returning home champions and parading in style to the State House steps. The dramatic parallels to the Gamecocks' first championship season were remarkable. In 2010, they honored the life of seven-year-old Bayler Teal, a cancer victim who died during the College World Series. In 2011, they celebrated the life of Omaha native Charlie Peters, a thirteen-year-old cancer survivor and the team's batboy. After defeating rival Florida, the Gamecocks celebrated with a traditional dog pile near the pitcher's mound, and Peters jumped on top of the mass of players and coaches. It was a powerful moment and a fitting encore.