May 13, 2005
Oxford, Miss. – Senior RHP Aaron Rawl hurled a three-hit complete game shutout as the South Carolina baseball team upended Ole Miss 2-0 on Friday night in the first of a three-game SEC series. South Carolina improves to 34-17 and 13-12 in the SEC while the loss drops Ole Miss to 35-16 and 13-12 in the conference.
Friday night’s win marked the fourth career complete game for Rawl and his second career shutout. Rawl’s last complete game was a 2-0 win vs. Tennessee on May 15, 2004. Rawl struck out six batters and walked none to improve to 8-5 on the season. The shutout also marked the first time this season that the Rebels have been held scoreless in a game.
It was the second complete game by a Carolina pitcher this year. Zac McCamie threw a complete game three-hitter at LSU on April 9 in a 5-1 Gamecock victory. Rawl is now 3-0 in his career vs. Ole Miss in as many appearances.
Ole Miss starting pitcher Mark Holliman was nearly effective as he also hurled a complete game allowing just five hits with 13 strikeouts and three walks allowed. Holliman is now 5-3 on the year.
The Gamecocks scored all the runs they needed in the top of the second inning as Chris Brown and Neil Giesler extender their hitting streaks to five games with a pair of RBI hits. Brendan Winn drew a one-out walk, stole second base and scored on a RBI double from Brown down the left field line. Giesler followed Brown’s double with a RBI single of his own to left center that gave the Gamecocks a two-run lead.
Michael Campbell had two hits for Carolina and Justin Henry had two hits for the Rebels.
South Carolina and Ole Miss continue the series on Saturday afternoon with first pitch at 5 p.m. CT. The game time was pushed back an hour due to the NCAA Regional Men’s Tennis tournament hosted this weekend on the campus of Ole Miss. Carolina senior RHP Zac McCamie (8-2, 2.52 ERA) takes the mound for the Gamecocks while the Rebels will counter with junior LHP Matt Maloney (5-2, 2.58 ERA).
TRACKING RAWL
– With Friday’s win over Ole Miss, Carolina starting pitcher Aaron Rawl moves up to a tie for third place on the USC All-Time Wins List. Rawl owns 34 career wins which ties him with Earl Bass (1972-75) and Greg Ward (1972-75).
– Rawl is also now tied for fourth on the All-Time Innings Pitched List. Rawl has pitched 345 career innings at Carolina that ties him with Rich Pratt (1990-93).
