Oct. 22, 2009

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina senior right-handed pitcher Blake Cooper struck out eight batters in four scoreless innings of work and the Black squad pounded out 18 hits in a 12-2 victory over Garnet in game one of the Garnet & Black World Series on Thursday night at Carolina Stadium. The team will step aside on Friday night for former Gamecock greats as the Alumni Game will be held at Carolina Stadium with first pitch set for 7 p.m. Game two of the Garnet & Black World Series is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. on Saturday with the finale on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free to all events.

Cooper was effective in his start as he limited the Garnet squad to just three hits. The Black team was strong at the plate as well with freshman catcher Brison Celek tallying two homers and Jackie Bradley Jr., Jake Williams, Steven Neff and Anthony Iacomini also hitting homers on the night. Freshman infielder Christian Walker also had an effective night at the plate hitting 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI and two doubles as well. Senior catcher Kyle Enders, who is managing the Black squad, was 4-for-5 also with a pair of RBI. Alex Burrell, Al Hentz, Colby Holmes and Jordan Propst all threw a scoreless inning of relief for Team Black. The Garnet squad was led at the plate by senior infielder Bobby Haney’s 2-for-4 game at the plate.