March 18, 2006
Auburn, Ala. – Freshman RHP Mike Cisco hurled a career-high 7.1 innings allowing just three runs on two hits as ninth ranked South Carolina earned a 7-3 victory over Auburn on Saturday afternoon at Plainsman Park. Carolina improved to 17-2 and 2-0 in the SEC with Auburn falling to 10-12 and 0-2 in the conference. Carolina will go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon with first pitch set for 2 p.m. ET.
Cisco, who was making his third career start, did not allow a run until the fifth inning ending his scoreless inning streak at 17.2 innings. Cisco finished with a career-high eight strikeouts as well and allowed just two walks. Cisco is now 2-0 on the year. Auburn starting pitcher Brett Butts took the loss and 2-4 this season. Butts allowed six runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings of work.
Carolina never trailed in Saturday’s contest as the USC offense provided 14 hits including a four-hit performance from Chris Brown, tying his career-high he set last year vs. Kentucky. Brown also had two RBI on the afternoon. Cheyne Hurst added three hits and Neil Giesler contributed two to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Robbie Grinestaff also had two hits for the Gamecocks. Auburn had just three hits on the afternoon.
For the second consecutive day, Carolina struck early this time putting three runs on the board in the opening frame against starter Brett Butts. USC had four straight base hits to start off the game including RBI singles from Neil Giesler and Robbie Grinestaff. The third run was scored on a RBI sacrifice fly from Michael Campbell.
Carolina extended the lead to 4-0 in the second inning on a solo home run from Trent Kline. It was Kline’s first career homer with the garnet and black. USC would go ahead 6-0 in the fourth inning knocking Butts out of the game. Brown tallied his third hit of the game with a one-out double over the head of third baseman Josh Donaldson scoring Andrew Crisp and Cheyne Hurst. Auburn would touch the Gamecocks for one run in the fifth inning as Mike Bianucci opened the frame with a solo homer to left center. USC would extend its lead back six runs though in the seventh inning as Reese Havens hit his first career triple with two outs to plate home Grinestaff. Auburn scored twice more in the eighth inning.
Sunday’s series finale will pit Carolina junior LHP Forrest Beverly (4-0, 3.04 ERA) vs. Auburn freshman LHP Evan Crawford (1-3, 5.09 ERA). Sunday’s game can be heard on the Gamecock Radio Network with Mike Morgan and Tom Price calling the action. Live audio and live stats are also available at uscsports.com.
