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Right fielder Adam Matthews said he never envisioned the run the Gamecocks made.
"Obviously, that's the goal of every college baseball team," he said. "When you're recruited to a big program like the University of South Carolina, it's an honor. And you get there and your goal is to get to Omaha -- and further, to win the national championship.
"To do that twice and be in a position this year to do it again, it's been unbelievable. It's been a lot of fun. We had a great run."
Lopez became the second coach to win a Division I baseball title at two schools. Augie Garrido was the first, winning three at Cal State Fullerton and two at Texas.
Lopez took over a program that had gone to the NCAA regionals just once in the previous eight years. He came within that one win of getting to the CWS in 2008, then took a step backward in 2009 when the Wildcats didn't make the national tournament.
"On paper the '08 team is probably as good, if not better, because of their bullpen," Lopez said. "But it's not the first team that wins. I came here in '98 as the No. 1 seed with Florida, and the seventh seed in '92, and won in '92 but didn't win in '98.
"It's not the best team that wins, it's the hottest team, and these guys got hot at the right time."
The Wildcats won 18 of their last 20 games, including their final 11.
Down three runs in the bottom of the ninth, South Carolina loaded the bases against Troupe (6-1) on two walks and a single.
With one out, Tanner English sent a line drive up the middle that second baseman Gilbert gloved. Gilbert rushed to the bag to double off Dantzler, but Dantzler got back just in time.
Grayson Greiner then flied out to right fielder Refsnyder on a 2-1 pitch, sparking a rush of Arizona players to the middle of the field for the celebratory pile-on.
"We were extremely fortunate to get away with this victory," Lopez said.
Dixon, batting .242 for the season, had been 0 for 7 with three strikeouts in his previous CWS at-bats. As usual, he replaced first baseman Joseph Maggi in the middle innings and got his opportunity after Refsnyder singled leading off the ninth.
Farris and Michael Roth engaged in a pitcher's duel through the first seven innings.
Farris left with two out in the eighth after allowing one run on two hits.
"Farris had a great start for Arizona," South Carolina's Adam Matthews said. "He was working away most of the night. Of course we wanted to hit better, but you have got to give credit where credit's due."
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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