March 10, 2015

Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sophomore left-hander Josh Reagan worked 6.2 scoreless inning allowing just one hit as seventh-ranked South Carolina defeated Penn State 3-0 on Tuesday night at Carolina Stadium. The Gamecocks improve to 13-3 on the year while the loss drops the Nittany Lions to 1-9.

The Gamecocks capitalized on a pair of throwing errors by Penn State catcher Nick Graham in the bottom of the second to take a 1-0 lead. Elliott Caldwell reached base after being hit by a pitch to open the frame, stole second and would advance to third and score on the errors.

Back-to-back RBI doubles from Max Schrock and Kyle Martin drove in two more runs for the Gamecocks in the bottom of third.

Freshman Brandon Murray added 1.1 scoreless innings of work allowing just one hit while striking out three batters. Cody Mincey closed out the game with a scoreless frame giving up one hit and one walk to earn his first save of the season.

GAME CHANGER

A pair of RBI doubles off the bats of Max Schrock and Kyle Martin in the third inning gave the Gamecocks a three-run advantage.

KEY STAT Josh Reagan did not give up a hit until a two-out single in the sixth inning.

NOTABLES

• Gene Cone has reached base safely in all 16 games this season.
• Josh Reagan’s 6.2 innings is the longest outing of his career. He matched a season-high with four strikeouts.
• Brandon Murray recorded a career-high three strikeouts.
• Head Coach Chad Holbrook recorded his 100th career win.
• This is the Gamecocks’ fourth shutout victory of the season.

QUOTABLE South Carolina Head Coach Chad Holbrook

Opening Statement
We’re lucky to have won, the story of the game obviously was the way we threw the ball, all three guys. Josh (Reagan) got us off to a great start, as good as I’ve seen him pitch in the starter’s role since he’s been here obviously and he threw the ball very, very well. That’s what he’s done to us from time to time in scrimmages so that’s the Josh Reagan that we know and love. Brandon (Murray) was good, made some big pitches in there when the tying run came to the plate and got a couple big strikeouts for us and it was good to get Cody (Mincey) out there for us for his first appearance of the year and he finished the game clean. Good win for us, we’re still scuffling from an offensive standpoint but we’ll keep working and keep fighting and see if we can create a little bit of momentum in our dugout from an offensive standpoint. I think it’s going to come, it’s just not coming as quick as I want it to.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks and Nittany Lions return to Carolina Stadium on Wednesday with first pitch set for 7 pm. The game will broadcast on SEC Network + and can be heard on the Gamecock IMG Network including flagship station, 107.5 FM, “The Game.”