April 12, 2003
Gainesville, Fla. – David Marchbanks pitched a four hit complete game, allowing only one hit after the second inning Saturday, and Justin Harris had four hits for the second consecutive game as South Carolina defeated Florida 10-2 to take a 2-0 lead in a Southeastern Conference baseball series.
The final game is scheduled for 1 p.m., Sunday at McKethan Stadium. The Gamecocks won the Friday game 9-4. South Carolina improved to 22-13 overall and evened its SEC record at 7-7. The Gamecocks entered the game tied for first place in the Eastern Division of the conference. Florida dropped to 24-11-1, 5-8-1 in the SEC.
Marchbanks improved his record to 7-2 with his second complete game of the season. He struck out six and walked two. Only one of the two runs off him was earned. Florida starter Justin Hoyman worked eight innings. He allowed 11 hits and six earned runs to take the loss. His record dropped to 5-3. Gator relief pitcher Lee Roberson gave up four ninth inning runs, including a three run homer by Kevin Melillo, his fourth of the year.
Florida took the early lead for the second straight day. The Gators scored both their runs in the second inning on three hits and a Gamecock error. Ben Harrison and Brian Rose had back to back doubles and Jeff Corsaletti had an infield hit in the inning. The only Florida hit after that came with two outs in the fifth inning when South Carolina left fielder Michael Campbell slipped and fell and a fly ball by Jake Riordan dropped in for a double.
After falling behind 2-0 South Carolina fought back quickly with three runs in the top of the third inning. Melillo doubled, Jon Coutlangus sent him to third with a single and Harris doubled to drive in two runs. Harris moved to third when the throw to the plate was too late to keep Coutlangus from scoring. Harris scored as Brian Buscher grounded to second base for the second out.
A bases loaded walk to Matt Riddle forced home a run in the fifth inning to make the score 4-2. Two hits and a sacrifice fly by Buscher made it 5-2 in the sixth and the score mounted to 6-2 in the eighth when Tim Seaton singled, moved to third on a base hit by Coutlangus and scored on a fielder’s choice.
Pinch hitter Hank Parks drove in the seventh run with a single in the ninth inning and Melillo followed with his three run homer to make the final score 10-2.
South Carolina, which had 18 hits in its 9-4 Friday win, added 14 hits Saturday, including three singles and a double by Harris. He was four for six in the Friday game. Coutlangus contributed three hits, Melillo had two and Bryan Triplett also had two hits.
