South Carolina won the 2010 College World Series with a 2-1 victory over UCLA, walking off in the bottom of the 11th inning, sweeping the best-of-three final series from the Bruins and completing an unlikely comeback after dropping its CWS opener to Oklahoma. The Gamecocks (54-16) needed six consecutive wins to navigate the bracket and claim the title.
Ebert's senior season did not develop nearly as scripted despite its triumphant final act. A 2009 second-team All-SEC selection and a preseason All-American, the slugging first baseman missed a chunk of preseason activities and the season's first series due to a lingering academic issue. Though that situation was resolved, it opened an opportunity for freshman phenom Christian Walker to lay claim to Ebert's playing time.
Gamecocks head coach Ray Tanner juggled the two players for much of the season, ultimately siding with the hot hand and slotting Walker in as the everyday first baseman and middle-of-the-order run producer and relegating Ebert to pinch-hitting duties. But Ebert overcame his wounded pride to deliver when called upon - his pinch-hit single against Coastal Carolina on June 13 helped the Gamecocks earn a 10-9 super-regional win and a berth in the CWS.
