March 16, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. – South Carolina senior left-hander Nolan Belcher hurled 8.1 scoreless innings and combined with senior left-hander Tyler Webb for a five-hit shutout as the fifth ranked Gamecocks defeated Missouri 2-0 in game one of the doubleheader at Taylor Stadium. The Gamecocks win the series and improve to 17-2 and 2-0 in the SEC with Missouri dropping to 5-9 and 0-2 in league play. The second game of the doubleheader is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. ET.
South Carolina broke ahead 1-0 in the third inning with an unearned run. Max Schrock reached base with a one-out single to center. With two outs and Schrock on first base, Joey Pankake belted a single into right-center on a hit and run. On the play, Missouri center fielder Logan Pearson mishandled his fielding attempt and Schrock kept hustling and scored all the way from first base to give the Gamecocks a one-run lead.
Chase Vergason increased the lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning with a solo home run. On Graves’ 1-0 pitch, Vergason turned on a fastball that went over the wall in right field for his third homer of the season.
Belcher limited the Tigers to just five hits and struck out six batters while walking none. He has pitched 26.1 consecutive innings without allowing a run and has not allowed a walk since the Liberty game on opening weekend. He is now 4-1 on the year. Webb pitched 0.2 perfect innings for his seventh save of the season and second of the series. Missouri starter Brett Graves suffered the loss and is now 0-2 on the year. He allowed two runs, one earned, on seven hits with no walks and four strikeouts.
