A look at Monday's USC-UCLA game

Blake Cooper prepares to make a pitch against UCLA.

Pitching on three days rest for the second time in five days, South Carolina's Blake Cooper took a one-hit hit shutout into the ninth inning Monday night as the Gamecocks beat UCLA, 7-1, in game one of the best-of-three College World Series Championship Series.

It was typical Cooper. He's usually been matched against the opponents' ace and hasn't backed down, outdueling Mississippi's Drew Pomeranz, Vanderbilt's Sonny Gray and others.

In what is almost assuredly the final appearance of his USC career, Cooper was brilliant in improving to 13-2 this season. He outdueled UCLA starter Gerrit Cole, who fell behind early and was in trouble most innings. The Bruins also played some shaky defense, which contributed to their downfall.

Cooper didn't walk a batter until the ninth and pitched around a couple of USC errors by Scott Wingo. One error was a particularly tough call, as Wingo spread out to stop a grounder, then shoveled the ball to shortstop Bobby Haney. Haney tried to make a barehanded grab, but couldn't hold on.

Cooper left with the bases loaded and none out in the ninth. John Taylor got a double play as a run scored, then got the final out.

Every USC starter got at least one hit and pinch-hitter Adam Matthews added another.

The Gamecocks also stole three bases, a rarity.

So, USC is within one win of a national championship for the fourth time in program history.

As of this writing, I haven't heard who Ray Tanner is starting in Game 2 on Tuesday. I would guess either Jay Brown or Tyler Webb, but I wouldn't be surprised if Tanner pulled another surprise by starting Nolan Belcher or bringing Michael Roth back on three days rest if his arm is up to it.

We'll see on Tuesday.