March 5, 2014
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Weber Pike’s two-out two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning capped a four-run frame as top ranked South Carolina rallied for a 4-2 victory over Stetson on Wednesday afternoon at Carolina Stadium. The Gamecocks improve to 12-0 on the year while Stetson drops to 2-11 for the season.
Trailing 2-0, the Gamecocks mounted a comeback as Tanner English led off with a single followed by a walk by Marcus Mooney. Joey Pankake would drive in South Carolina’s first run with a one-out single to score English. With two outs and runners on second and third, the Gamecocks tied it as Connor Bright reached on an infield single that scored pinch runner Gene Cone. After Bright stole second base, Pike would lift a 0-2 pitch into center for a single scoring a pair of runners and giving Carolina a two-run lead.
Cody Mincey would retire all three batters he faced in the eighth inning and Joel Seddon would close out the game with a perfect ninth inning for his fourth save. Senior right-hander Hunter Privette earned a win with one scoreless inning of relief. He is now 1-0 on the year. Stetson reliever Tyler Warmoth suffered the loss and is now 0-2 on the year. He allowed two runs on three hits in 0.2 innings.
South Carolina’s 10-hit afternoon saw two-hit games from English, Logan Koch and Mooney.
Stetson got on the scoreboard first with a single run in the top of the second inning. Kyle Zech walked with one out and stole second base. With two outs and Zech at third base, Tyler Bocock knocked a base hit up the middle to give the Hatters a one-run lead. Stetson increased its lead to 2-0 in the top of the third. Josh Powers doubled to left field with one out and scored on Zech’s two-out RBI infield single.
Stetson starter Austin Perez was effective for most of the game as he worked six scoreless innings before tiring in the seventh. He allowed two runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings with three walks. South Carolina received a quality relief outing from Vince Fiori, who pitched 3.2 scoreless innings with five hits allowed and three strikeouts.
The Gamecocks return to action this weekend hosting a three-game series against Brown. First pitch for the opener on Friday is 7 p.m. with Saturday’s game scheduled for 4 p.m. and Sunday’s series finale at 12:30 p.m. All three games can be heard on the Gamecock IMG Network including flagship station 107.5 FM, “The Game.”
