March 20, 2015
COLUMBIA, MO. – Zach Lavy’s two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning helped lift Missouri to a 3-2 win over fifth ranked South Carolina on Friday night at Taylor Stadium. Missouri improves to 17-5 and 4-0 in the SEC with the Gamecocks falling to 17-5 and 3-1 in league play.
Both Gamecock right-hander Wil Crowe and Missouri right-hander Reggie McClain were effective on the mound on Friday night. Crowe went the distance for the Gamecocks and allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits in eight innings with a pair of walks and six strikeouts. He is now 3-2 on the year. McClain earned the win after 8.1 innings allowing two runs on five hits with no walks and three strikeouts. Right-hander Breckin Williams retired the final two batters to pick up his sixth save of the year.
South Carolina broke ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning. Max Schrock belted a double to the gap in right-center and scored on Kyle Martin’s RBI single up the middle.
Missouri would score a pair of runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Tigers loaded the bases with no outs as Josh Lester singled, Brett Bond walked and Logan Pearson singled. A two-run single to left field off the bat of Trey Harris would give Missouri a one-run cushion. Crowe fought back to get the next three batters as he induced a 4-6-3 double play and a flyout to limit the damage.
South Carolina would tie it at 2-2 in the fifth inning as Jordan Gore tripled down the right field line and scored on DC Arendas’ RBI single up the middle.
The Tigers regained the lead in the seventh inning putting runners on second and third with no outs after a walk and an error. Crowe fought back with a strikeout of Logan Pearson and a fielder’s choice with the infield drawn in to get an out at home plate. With runners on first and second and two outs, Lavy knocked a 1-1 pitch into center for a base hit scoring Brett Bond and giving Missouri a one-run lead.
The Gamecocks threatened in the ninth as Schrock reached base to open the frame on an error. With two outs and Schrock on third base, Williams struck out pinch hitter Collin Steagall to end the game.
GAME CHANGER
Zach Lavy’s two-out RBI single gave Missouri a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh
KEY STAT
Missouri right-hander Reggie McClain limited the Gamecocks to just five hits and did not allow a base runner to reach in five frames.
NOTABLES
• Kyle Martin’s first inning RBI single extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games. Martin has tallied at least one RBI in six of the last eight games. He has reached base in 12 straight games.
• Jordan Gore’s fifth inning triple was the first triple of his career.
• Elliott Caldwell has reached base in 16 straight games after his base hit in the seventh inning.
• Wil Crowe pitched his second career complete game and the first for him and the Gamecocks this season. Crowe’s previous complete game was June 1, 2014 vs. Campbell in the NCAA Regional.
• South Carolina’s loss snaps a three-game winning streak vs. Missouri.
QUOTABLE
South Carolina Head Coach Chad Holbrook
We played hard. We made a couple of mistakes but we were in the game. It just didn’t work out tonight. I was pleased with my players’ effort, their heightened awareness and their want to. We were into every pitch, but we just couldn’t get the big hit when we needed to. We made a couple of costly mistakes and when you make a mistake on the road in this league, it comes back to cost you and it cost us tonight.
“(McClain) is as advertised. Polished pitcher, commands all of his pitches, pitches to both sides of the plate and he is a Friday night SEC guy. You have to be at your best to beat guys like that and we didn’t do enough (against him).
“Wil was great. He had the (hit and walk) to lead off the second inning and those two runs scored and that was the difference in the game. He pitched his heart out. He pitched great. I know he would like to have that second inning back. He gave us a chance to win and that is all you can ask from your starting pitcher.”
UP NEXT
South Carolina and Missouri resume this weekend’s series on Saturday with first pitch at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on the SEC Network and can be heard on the Gamecock IMG Network including flagship station 107.5 FM, “The Game.”
