May 6, 2005
Knoxville, Tenn. – Julio Borbon’s two-out RBI single in the eighth inning broke a 2-2 tie as Tennessee edged out South Carolina 3-2 in Friday’s SEC opener at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Luke Hochevar went eight innings and allowed two runs on four hits with 13 strikeouts to pick up his 11th win of the year. Tennessee is now 32-14 on the year with a 13-8 record in the SEC while the loss drops Carolina to 32-14 and 12-10 in the conference.
Friday’s loss spoiled a solid effort by Carolina starter Aaron Rawl, who worked seven 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on three hits with four strikeouts and four walks. Rawl is now 7-5 on the year.
With the game tied at 2-2 in the eighth inning, Josh Alley drew a leadoff walk against Rawl and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Eli Iorg. South Carolina reliever Brent Marsh entered the game and struck out J.P. Arencibia for the second out of the inning. After intentionally walking Chase Headley, Marsh’s first pitch to Julio Borbon was knocked in between the hole at third base and shortstop for a single and scoring Alley with the game-winning run.
South Carolina finished with five hits on the evening with Tennessee ending the night with four hits. Steve Pearce’s hitting streak ended at eight games.
Carolina went ahead 2-0 in the top of the third inning scoring with two outs against Hochevar. Steven Tolleson grooved the first pitch he saw from Hochevar over the left centerfield wall for his fifth home run of the season to put the Gamecocks on top by one run. Steve Pearce then drew a walk advanced to third on a single by Michael Campbell and scored on a passed ball on catcher J.P. Arencibia as the Gamecocks took a two-run lead. Arencibia would tie the game in the bottom half of the frame though as he launched a two-our two-run homer to left field to knot the game at two apiece.
Both teams continue the series on Saturday afternoon with first pitch set for 1 p.m. The game will be televised on CSS-TV with USC senior RHP Zac McCamie (8-2, 2.24 ERA) on the mound for the Gamecocks and sophomore RHP Criag Cobb (5-2, 4.01 ERA) taking the hill for the Volunteers.
GAME NOTES
– South Carolina junior outfielder Mark Stanley broke the index finger in his right hand in the first inning. He is out for an indefinite period.
– Aaron Rawl continues to move up the chart on the USC All-Time Career List. He is now fourth on the USC All-Time Career List in appearances as he made his 82nd on Friday evening. Rob Mosser (1990-93) holds the school record with 88. Rawl also is now sixth on the career innings pitched list with 336 innings at Carolina.
