The Gamecocks won 2 out of 3 on the road against Vanderbilt by scores of 3-2, 2-8 and 2-0.
Breaking it Down…Friday night’s weekend opening game began with an offensive burst, but turned into a pitching duel. In the bottom of the first Vanderbilt put 2 runs on the board without the benefit of a hit. In the top of the second, South Carolina answered by scoring 3 runs on 3 hits. That was it for the scoring. Blake Cooper pitched into the eighth surrendering only 2 hits and no more runs. Vanderbilt starter Sonny Gray pitched a complete game. Michael Roth, Ethan Carter and Matt Price came on in relief and handled the Commodores without giving up any runs.
The South Carolina offensive attack was adequate, though certainly not spectacular. USC managed only 4 hits outside of the second inning and left 9 runners on base (including 3 in the second). Adam Matthews had the only multi-hit game. Brady Thomas had an especially hard day going 0-5 and leaving 6 runners on.
Saturday’s game looked like it would shape up and be another pitchers’ duel … until the bottom of the third when Vandy exploded for 5 runs and chased starter Sam Dyson from the game. Jose Mata came on in relief and held the ‘Dores scoreless until the eighth when Nolan Belcher gave up 2. The South Carolina bats only managed 2 runs in the fifth on what was largely a forgettable day. Of note, Jackie Bradley, Jr., went two for three, and Merrifield and Wingo each drove in a run.
Sunday’s rubber match was a pitching showcase for the Gamecocks. Senior Jay Brown started the game and gave up 2 hits, 0 walks and 0 runs in 6 1/3 innings of work. Both Vanderbilt hitters who reached base were erased by double plays. The second of those double plays in the Seventh was induced by Michael Roth who finished that inning. In the eighth Matt Price came on and finished the game. The three South Carolina pitchers faced the minimum of 27 batters.
The South Carolina offense was held to only two runs, but two runs was be enough. Whit Merrifield hit the first pitch of the game out of the park to give the Gamecocks a one run lead. In the top of the ninth Morales doubled to right field to bring in the only other run of the game.
What to take from the weekend…Be excited about this team and this season. The Gamecocks went on the road to face a very good Vanderbilt baseball team. They came away with a series win and some seriously impressive pitching. Taking away Sam Dyson’s uncharacteristic tough day on Saturday, the pitching staff looked as good as any USC has had in the past few years. The hitting wasn’t as dominant as we would like, but really, how can you complain about a road series win against a ranked opponent?
Stars of the series…Blake Cooper went 7 1/3 giving up 2 runs, 2 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3…Jay Brown went 6 1/3 giving up 2 hits and 0 runs while striking out 2…Michael Roth pitched both Friday and Sunday giving up 0 hits and 0 base runners…Matt Price recorded saves number 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday pitching a total of 2 2/3 innings walking none and allowing 0 hits…Whit Merrifield went 4-10 with 2 RBI and a homerun.
This and that…Whit Merrifield had at least one hit in every game this weekend which means he has a hit safely in 31 of USC’s 32 games this season and 19 games in a row…The win on Sunday gave Coach Ray Tanner his 1,000th career win….Vanderbilt entered the series 20-1 at home; they are now 21-3….South Carolina improves to 25-7 (9-3) on the year…The Gamecocks lead the SEC East by 1 game over Florida and 3 games over Vanderbilt.
Up next…The Gamecocks travel to Charleston to play The Citadel on Wednesday…They return home this weekend to play Ole Miss and Drew Pomeranz beginning on Friday….Ole Miss took 2 of 3 from Georgia in Athens over the weekend to improve to 8-4 in conference.
