Head Coach Ray Tanner addresses fans after the Gamecocks' return to Columbia. (June 26, 2012/FOX Carolina)COLUMBIA, SC (AP) -
South Carolina coach Ray Tanner wasn't sure when the season began he had the club to get back to the College World Series.
The Gamecocks made it back. They were runners up in Omaha with new players at six positions and Tanner feels they can keep their run going next spring.
South Carolina was trying for its third consecutive national championship yet were swept by Arizona in the title series. Tanner's already back at work on next year's club when this season's untested players will be counted on to replace the leadership of several departing upperclassmen, including ace Michael Roth and closer Matt Price.
Tanner says the lessons freshmen like shortstop Joey Pankake and catcher Grayson Greiner learned at the CWS were invaluable and will drive them during off season workouts.
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