May 4, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – Kentucky right-hander Seth Stanley retired the first 17 batters he faced Sunday but six consecutive two out hits rocked him for four sixth inning runs and South Carolina shut out the Wildcats 5-0 to sweep a three game Southeastern Conference baseball series.
Sophomore right-hander Aaron Rawl, 5-2, made his first appearance since fracturing a finger on his pitching hand March 23 and pitched six scoreless innings to get the win. He was aided by several outstanding plays by the Gamecock defense. Matt Campbell worked the final three innings to preserve the shutout and earned his second save of the season.
Rawl allowed six hits, walked three and struck out eight. Campbell allowed two hits, walked one and fanned three. Stanley was charged with the loss to drop his record to 5-6.
South Carolina improved to 32-17, 13-11 in the Southeastern Conference. The Gamecocks have won 10 of their last 13 games. Kentucky dropped to 19-28, 6-17. South Carolina stretched its winning streak over Kentucky to 10 games dating back to the 2000 season.
South Carolina stretched its first place lead in the SEC Eastern Division to a game and a half over Florida, which lost 4-3 Sunday at Auburn to drop to 11-12-1 in the conference. Vanderbilt, which was swept by Georgia, dropped three games behind South Carolina in third place at 10-14. Six conference games remain for each team.
With two outs in the sixth inning Michael Campbell singled to left field to break up the perfect game bid by Stanley. Kevin Melillo singled, sending Campbell to third. Justin Harris doubled to score Campbell and Melillo. Brian Buscher doubled to score Harris and Buscher scored on a base hit by Harris to increase the lead to 4-0. Brian Triplett singled for the sixth consecutive Gamecock hit before Matt Riddle grounded out to end the inning.
South Carolina added a fifth run off relief pitcher Matt Scott in the seventh inning. Jon Coutlangus singled, moved to second on an infield out, to third on a wild pitch, and scored on the second hit of the game by Melillo.
Kentucky loaded the bases with one out in the first inning on a walk and two singles but Rawl struck out Caleb Brock and Brad Pickrell to end that threat. A bunt single and a walk gave the Wildcats two third inning base runners but Gamecock third baseman Buscher started a double play to end the inning.
Casey Gilvin doubled to right centerfield with one out in the fifth inning but attempted to stretch the hit into a triple and was out centerfielder Coutlangus to second baseman Melillo to Buscher. Gilvin singled to lead off the Kentucky seventh inning but attempted to advance to third on a one out single by Mike Breyman and was out left fielder Michael Campbell to Buscher.
South Carolina catcher Powell also threw out Caleb Brock on a steal attempt in the fifth inning.
South Carolina totaled nine hits with Melillo and Triplett having two. Triplett totaled 11 hits in 18 at bats in four games during the week. His hits included three doubles and two home runs and he drove in 10 runs in four games.
Kentucky had eight hits with Gilvin going three for three. His double was the only extra base hit by the Wildcats. Caleb Stewart had two hits for Kentucky.
