April 1, 2014
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Grayson Greiner’s one-out walk-off pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted top-ranked South Carolina to a 2-1 victory over Appalachian State on Tuesday night at Carolina Stadium. The Gamecocks are now 25-3 on the year and remain undefeated in non-conference play while the loss drops the Mountaineers to 8-17.
Left-handed pitcher Vince Fiori worked 1.1 hitless innings of relief to pick up his first win of the season. He is 1-0 on the year. Appalachian State starter Taylor Thurber suffered the loss and is now 0-3 for the season. He allowed a run on three hits in 2.1 innings.
After three scoreless innings, the Gamecocks took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. With his second hit in as many at bats, Joey Pankake singled up the middle, stole second and scored on Connor Bright’s RBI single.
South Carolina starter Evan Beal hurled 5.1 scoreless innings allowing just two hits and striking out three batters.
The Mountaineers capitalized on a South Carolina error in the top of the sixth to even the score at 1-1. With two outs, Gamecock reliever Josh Reagan hit Preston Troutman with a pitch and then overthrew an attempted pickoff, which allowed Troutman to advance to third. Jaylin Davis followed with a base hit to left field to bring Troutman home.
It remained that way until the ninth inning when Connor Bright opened the frame with a single up the middle and advanced to second on pinch hitter Jordan Gore’s sacrifice bunt. With a runner in scoring position, Greiner stepped up to the plate. After working the count full, he hammered a 3-2 pitch to left field allowing Bright to score and sealing the Gamecocks’ victory.
Carolina’s nine-hit evening included a 3-for-4 game for Bright. Pankake went 2-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. Jaylin Davis led App State with two hits.
The Gamecocks travel to Arkansas for a three-game SEC series with the Razorbacks beginning Thursday. First pitch for the opener is set for 8 p.m. and will be televised on ESPNU and can be heard on the Gamecock IMG Network including flagship station, 107.5 FM, “The Game.”
