Teals trek to Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. -- Bayler Teal's family was able to make it to Monday's College World Series game between South Carolina and UCLA. But it wasn't easy.

What's new for a family of Gamecocks fans that dealt with great tragedy last week when 7-year-old Bayler lost his two-year fight with cancer?

Rob, Risha and 5-year-old Bridges set out from Bishopville on Monday morning, but learned on their way to the Charlotte airport that their flight had been canceled.

The Teals sat in Charlotte, trying to get on several flights.

But they continued to fall through, and airport officials didn't seem to sense any urgency in helping the hurting family.

Finally, through the help of one family friend and a generous stranger, a charter was scrambled to get the family to the Gamecocks' attempt at a baseball national championship.

Irmo native Ashley Gilfillan, who knew of the family's story, stepped forward to financially support the effort. And spontaneous charter flights aren't inexpensive.

By the second inning, the Teals were in their seats at Rosenblatt -- in time to be profiled by ESPN's Erin Andrews.

To help the Teals with their travel expenses (and help Gilfillan recover his investment), which were made far greater by the need for the charter flight, go to any First Citizens Bank in the state and ask to contribute to Bayler Teal's fund, which is set up through the First Citizens branch in Bishopville.

Camp Kemo, a group that helps kids and parents cope with pediatric cancer, is also accepting donations. Just make sure to note that it is for Bayler's fund when you give to Camp Kemo.

Streak continues

South Carolina sophomore Jackie Bradley Jr. extended his hitting streak to 22 games, but he did it a bit unconventionally. Playing a bit of the surprise game, the center fielder laid down a bunt with two outs in the first inning.

It rolled down the third-base line, but UCLA's Dean Espy couldn't get him in time at first.

The heady play meant something, too.

A bloop single and an error scored Bradley and paved the way for two key first-inning runs for the Gamecocks.

Through that at-bat, Bradley was 9-for-20 in the series. He had a CWS-high nine RBIs and nine runs scored coming into the night.

Fire drilled

Playing through the losers' bracket, South Carolina had to overcome long odds to get to these CWS finals. It had one more hurdle to clear in the early, early morning hours Monday.

Someone tugged the fire alarm at the Gamecocks' team hotel in downtown Omaha.

Players, coaches, team officials, fans and other hotel patrons were all standing in the streets at 1:30 a.m. (Central).

Didn't seem to bother USC, though, judging by its play early on Monday.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com, check out the Gamecocks blog at postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks and follow him on Twitter (@gamecocksblog).