Cullen, Gamecocks clinch series with 6-2 win over Albany

South Carolina catcher Chris Cullen had to wait an extra day to get a spot in the starting lineup. He likely earned more playing time with his performance Saturday.

The freshman went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored to help USC to a 6-2 win over Albany in Game 2 of the weekend series. The Gamecocks will go for the sweep Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Founders Park.

Cullen broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth inning with an RBI single to left and gave the Gamecocks an insurance run in the sixth with another RBI single to left. Both hits came with two outs.

“For him to do what he did offensively today was terrific,” USC coach Chad Holbrook said. “He’s a pretty darn good hitter. He’s not chop liver in there. I have all the confidence in the world in him. He was ranked one of the top catchers in high school in the country for a reason.”

Designated hitter John Jones, who played catcher in the opener, went 3-for-4 and hit his first career home run. The sophomore finished with three RBIs and three runs.

Freshman Braden Webb earned the win, allowing one hit and two runs in five innings. Webb had not pitched in a game since breaking his arm as a senior in high school in 2014.

He struck out five and allowed three walks. The two runs he gave up came on a home run to right field by Connor Powers.

“It was just a really humbling experience getting to toss on the Carolina uniform and go out there and try to win a game. It’s been almost two years now. I just tried to soak it in as best I could,” Webb said. “Overall, just coming out and pitching for the first time, it was an alright outing. I’m just ready to learn from it, build from it and try not to make those mistakes anymore.”

Junior Josh Reagan earned his first career save, pitching 1 2/3 innings without allowing anyone to reach base. He struck out four of the five hitters he faced.

“What I saw today is what I saw all fall,” Holbrook said. “He’s worked hard in the weight room. He’s gone from an 80-82 mile per hour guy to an 86-88. I love the way that he threw.”

THREE POINTS

Star of the game: Chris Cullen. Making his first career start, the freshman went 3-for-4 and had RBI singles in back-to-back plate appearances when the game was still undecided.

Play of the game: John Jones’ homer. The designated hitter crushed the first pitch he saw Saturday into the bleachers in left field.

Stat of the game: 9: The Gamecocks finished with nine hits. All nine were by players who were not on the team last season.

OBSERVATIONS

USC’s lineup showed off its depth: South Carolina finished with nine hits and six runs with perhaps its best two hitters, Dom Thompson-Williams and Alex Destino, combining to go 0-for-6.

Reagan is much-improved: The lefty was dominant against the five batters he faced. Holbrook said he won’t hesitate to bring in Reagan to close out a game or to pitch in a key situation.

Holbrook wants offense from Arendas: The senior continued to prove he is perhaps the best defender on the team with a couple of impressive defensive plays at second base. With that said, he went 0-for-4 at the plate with two strikeouts. Holbrook said Arendas is “struggling like crazy offensively,” and it sounds as if LT Tolbert might get a shot at second base on Sunday.

Up next

What: South Carolina vs. Albany

When: 1:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Founders Park

Probable pitchers: USC – Taylor Widener (Jr. RHP); Albany – Ryan Stinar (Jr. RHP)

Watch: SEC Network Plus (Digital)

Radio: 107.5 FM in the Columbia area

This story was originally published February 20, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Cullen, Gamecocks clinch series with 6-2 win over Albany."