South Carolina gives away lead, then rallies in extras to salvage win vs. Alabama
South Carolina baseball fought and clawed for everything it could get Saturday against Alabama.
In the end, the Gamecocks got a badly-needed win, topping the Crimson Tide 5-4 in 12 innings to salvage one victory from the weekend series and keep themselves from falling too far behind in the SEC standings.
USC (19-13, 3-9 SEC) got its winning run in the 12th as senior center fielder TJ Hopkins walked, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on another wild pitch as rain poured down in Tuscaloosa.
That score ensured a strong outing out of the bullpen from freshman Brett Kerry did not go to waste — Kerry entered in the seventh inning and threw 5 2/3 shutout innings to earn the win.
Carolina’s offense, meanwhile, showed some signs of life early after posting just one run in 18 innings across the first two games of the series in Friday’s doubleheader.
Sophomore second baseman Noah Campbell led things off the top of the first with a single to right field and came around to score on a single from Hopkins and subsequent error. Another single from sophomore catcher Luke Berryhill plated Hopkins.
The Gamecocks added two more runs in the second, with senior first baseman Chris Cullen leading off with a double. Campbell was eventually intentionally walked with two outs, but junior shortstop George Callil singled Cullen home. Hopkins followed with another single to score Campbell.
Redshirt fresman Cam Tringali, making his first start of the season, motored through the first two innings only allowing one baserunner. Alabama halved the deficit in the third, however, as Tringali gave up a double and hit batter with one out, then surrendered another double to clear the bases.
‘Bama then tied the game in the fifth — a leadoff single and walk both advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and after Tringali was replaced by sophomore TJ Shook, a single scored them both.
Both teams had opportunities to score in the ninth — South Carolina put runners on first and second with no outs off a walk and hit batter, but three groundouts ended the threat.
Alabama used a hit batter and single to put runners on the corner with two outs against Kerry, but he recovered to induced a soft groundout to third to send the game to extra innings.
Callil saved the game in the bottom of the 10th, as Alabama put runners on first and second with no outs. Catcher Brett Auerbach then launched a sharp line drive towards the left side of the infield, but Callil laid out to make the diving stop and extend the game.
Next: The Gamecocks return home for a midweek contest Tuesday at Founders Park against Charlotte. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
This story was originally published April 6, 2019 at 6:16 PM.
