An in-depth look at the South Carolina Gamecocks, one of the eight teams competing in the College World Series, which starts Friday at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb. (coaches' record at current schools through Super Regionals):

South Carolina Gamecocks
Record: 44-20
Coach: Ray Tanner (318-133, seventh year).

Road To Omaha: Won Atlanta Regional: beat East Carolina 4-0; beat Stetson 7-2; beat Stetson 9-3. Won Columbia Super Regional: beat North Carolina 5-4; beat North Carolina 14-4.

2003 record vs. CWS teams: 1-2 (vs. LSU).

Last CWS appearance: 2002.

All-time record in CWS: 13-12 (six appearances).

Players to Watch: LHP Steven Bondurant (7-3, 3.90), 3B Brian Buscher (.390, 14, 64), OF Jon Coutlangus (.335), SS Justin Harris (.358, 32 RBIs), LHP David Marchbanks (15-2, 2.39), 2B Kevin Melillo (.323, 11, 42), C Landon Powell (.338, 10, 59), RHP Aaron Rawl (6-3, 2.75, six saves).

Short Hops: Gamecocks lost to Texas in CWS championship game last season. ... Has outscored opponents 39-13 in NCAA tournament this year. ... Marchbanks, finalist for Dick Howser Trophy, was Southeastern Conference pitcher of year. Tied for fifth on school's career list with 32 wins. ... Powell, finalist for Johnny Bench Award given to nation's best catcher, received general equivalency diploma after junior year of high school, became free agent and attended various big league tryout camps before deciding to go to college. Junior leads SEC players with 44 walks. ... Buscher leads SEC players in batting average and leads team with 32 multihit games. ... Buscher and Powell each hit two homers in Gamecocks' Super Regional-clinching win over North Carolina. ... Harris is hitting .524 (11-for-21) in postseason. ... IF Steven Tolleson is son of former major leaguer Wayne Tolleson.