March 21, 2015
COLUMBIA, MO. – Elliott Caldwell’s RBI single in the top of the 10th inning gave the Gamecocks a one-run lead but Missouri rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the 10th including a two-out RBI single up the middle by Trey Harris to defeat fifth ranked South Carolina 4-3 on Saturday afternoon. The Gamecocks are now 17-6 and 3-2 in the SEC with Missouri 18-4 and 5-0 in league play.
Tied at 2-2, the Gamecocks appeared to have the momentum scoring a run in the top of the 10th inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Caldwell knocked a base hit up the middle to score Connor Bright and give the Gamecocks a one-run lead. The Tigers looked to rally in the bottom half as Jake Ring led off with a double and Ryan Howard singled to give Missouri a pair of runners with no outs. Josh Lester would tie it up on a sacrifice fly to center scoring Ring. After a two-out walk to Zach Lavy gave the Tigers a pair of runners, Harris knocked a 1-2 pitch up the middle for a base hit scoring Howard and sealing the win for the Tigers.
Missouri reliever Breckin Williams earned the win in relief and is 4-0 on the year. He allowed one run on two hits in two innings with a walk and three strikeouts. Gamecock right-hander Taylor Widener suffered the loss and is 1-1 on the year. He allowed two runs on six hits in 2.1 innings with two walks and three strikeouts.
South Carolina broke ahead 2-0 in the top of the second inning. Hunter Taylor would get things started with a one-out single followed up by a base hit off the bat of Gene Cone. A fielder’s choice on a grounder by Connor Bright would give the Gamecocks runners on the corners with two outs. DC Arendas jumped on the first pitch he saw from Houck with a base hit to left field scoring Taylor. Schrock followed with a RBI single to give the Gamecocks a two-run lead.
Gamecock left-hander Jack Wynkoop kept the Tigers at bay for much of the afternoon as he limited Missouri to just one hit through five innings. Missouri would get to Wynkoop in the seventh inning as Lester and Bond would open the frame with singles with Lester scoring on a RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Lavy to cut the Gamecock lead to a run.
Missouri tied it in the eighth inning on a one-out RBI single by Howard. With runners on first and second, Lester followed with a single but the Gamecocks kept it at 2-2 as Caldwell threw out Ring attempting to score. Widener ended the Missouri threat then with a strikeout of Brett Bond. Missouri also threatened in the ninth with runners on first and second and one out but Widener again fought back with strikeouts of Case Munson and Brett Peel to move the game into extra innings.
GAME CHANGER
Jake Ring’s double to open the bottom of the 10th inning was the first extra base hit of the game for Missouri and jumpstarted the two-run frame for the Tigers.
KEY STAT
Missouri had 13 of its final 14 hits in the final from the sixth inning to the 10th inning. Peel, Ring, Howard and Lester (1-4 hitters in Missouri order) went 9-for-19 at the plate with all four runs scored.
NOTABLES
• Kyle Martin’s first inning double extended his hitting streak to a season-high 10 games. He has reached base in 13 straight games.
• Elliott Caldwell’s fifth inning infield single extended his hitting streak to six games. He has reached base in 17 consecutive games. He also had his second outfield assist of the season.
• South Carolina is now 1-2 this season in extra inning games. Three of the Gamecocks’ last four games have gone into extra innings.
• South Carolina is 1-2 in games decided by a run this year and 8-4 in games decided by three runs or less.
• Eight of nine Gamecocks had at least one hit on Saturday. Bright and Caldwell led the Gamecocks with two hits apiece. Bright’s two hits tied a season-high he set on Feb. 14 vs. College of Charleston.
• Junior left-hander Jack Wynkoop had a quality start despite the no-decision. He allowed two runs on seven hits in 7.1 innings with no walks and five strikeouts. Missouri freshman right-hander Tanner Houck allowed two runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts in a no-decision for the Tigers.
QUOTABLE
South Carolina Head Coach Chad Holbrook
Missouri is playing well. They have a very strong pitching staff. Their starting pitcher was terrific. It has been a struggle for us to put some hits together. They have a nice team.
You have to give credit to Missouri’s hitters. They got to our bullpen a little bit and that was the reason they won the game.
It’s a long season, second series of the year. You don’t win a championship in March. We have to keep trying to get better, keep competing a little bit harder. It’s one game and we’ll see if we can bounce back tomorrow.
UP NEXT
South Carolina and Missouri close out the weekend series on Sunday with first pitch at 2 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network Plus and can be heard on the Gamecock IMG Network including flagship station 107.5 FM, “The Game.”
