Feb. 27, 2008
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Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina starting pitcher Nick Godwin pitched six scoreless innings and combined with three more Gamecock pitchers for a 12-0 shutout victory over UNC Asheville on a windy and cold Wednesday afternoon at Sarge Frye Field. Reese Havens collected his third home run of the year and three RBI and Whit Merrifield and James Darnell drove in three runs apiece as well as the Gamecocks improved to 3-1 on the season. UNC Asheville drops to 2-3 on the year.
Godwin allowed just two hits in his six innings of work and struck out four batters to pick up his first career victory in a Gamecock uniform. Carolina relievers Parker Bangs, Will Atwood and Alex Farotto closed out the final three innings. UNC Asheville starter Taylor Wohlwend suffered the loss. He went 4.2 innings and allowed seven runs on five hits and five walks.
The Gamecocks tallied 10 hits and also walked 10 times in the game. Justin Hopper had two hits and scored three times and Scott Wingo had three runs scored as well along with three walks on the afternoon. UNC Asheville catcher Reed Kreiser had two of the four hits for the Bulldogs on the afternoon.
South Carolina took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on the third home run of the year by Havens. Justin Hopper led off the frame with a single and Havens delivered with one out as he launched a 2-0 pitch over the left centerfield wall. The Gamecocks extended that lead to 6-0 with four more in the fourth inning. Darnell and Havens each drove in a run as did Whit Merrifield.
South Carolina would put up a five spot in the fifth inning to take an 11-run lead. All five runs came with two outs. Hopper singled, Wingo walked and Havens walked to load the bases for the Gamecocks. Merrifield would walk to score the first run and Darnell would drive in two with a base hit followed up by a RBI single from Justin Smoak. South Carolina’s final run would come in the eighth inning.
Carolina returns to action on Saturday afternoon hosting Clemson with first pitch at Sarge Frye Field set for 1:30 pm. Live video broadcast is available at gamecocksonline.com and the game can also be heard on 107.5 FM “The Game.”
