March 21, 2006
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina managed only one hit in the fourth inning Tuesday night but it was a grand slam home run by Drew Martin to lead the seventh ranked Gamecocks to a 6-3 win over Charleston Southern.
The Gamecocks were out hit 12-10 by the Buccaneers but the South Carolina defense played its 10th errorless game and the infield turned three double plays to keep Charleston Southern at bay.
South Carolina starter Andy Lambert pitched four shutout innings but was unable to complete the fifth and freshman left-hander Will Atwood came on to pick up the win, improving his record to 2-0. Sophomore right-hander Wynn Pelzer pitched the final 1 2/3 innings to earn his first save.
Charleston Southern used six pitchers in the game. Starter Mike Mead pitched three shutout innings but his successor, Mark Terifaj (0-1) failed to retire a batter and gave up four runs despite yielding only one hit.
Terifaj walked Robbie Grinestaff and hit Michael Campbell. Catcher Keith Stewart threw high to third base on an attempted sacrifice bunt by Justin Smoak to load the bases. Martin, the Gamecock designated hitter, hit the next pitch over the right centerfield fence to drive in four runs. It was Martin’s second homer of the season and the first grand slam by a Gamecock.
Staked to a four run lead Lambert was unable to complete the fifth inning, giving up four consecutive singles to Chris Krogmeier, Stewart, Ryan Smart and Mark Perry before striking out Wes Brundridge after Smart’s hit drove in Krogmeier. Atwood relieved and retired the side but Stewart scored on a fielder’s choice.
South Carolina added single runs in the fifth and eighth innings before Charleston Southern scored once in the top of the ninth.
Chris Brown had two hits for South Carolina, including a double that drove in the final run. Smoak also had two hits and six other Gamecocks had one hit.
Stewart led Charleston Southern’s 12 hit attack with three hits, including a second inning double. Wes Brundridge and Krogmeier had two hits apiece. One of the Brundridge hits was a double.
South Carolina improved its record to 18-3 while Charleston Southern dropped to 9-17.
The Gamecocks meet Furman Wednesday night in the second of a six-game home stand. Game time is 7 pm at Sarge Frye Field.
