Two grand slams power South Carolina past Penn State

South Carolina sophomore Alex Destino started the season in a bit of a slump. He busted out of it in a big way Saturday afternoon.

The designated hitter blasted two home runs, including a grand slam, to lead USC to a 16-5 win over Penn State at Founders Park. The victory improves the Gamecocks to 7-0 on the year.

Destino was batting only .240 with no extra-base hits entering Game 2 of the series against the Nittany Lions before going 3-for-6 with a double, two home runs and seven RBIs.

“It was a really good day for me seeing the ball go up in the air. Finally I’m hitting the ball hard and kind of have something to show for it for the team from an RBI standpoint,” Destino said. “Anytime you hit a home run it gets your mind where it needs to be. I feel great. I feel excited.”

Junior college transfer John Jones continued his incredible start to his USC career, walking four times and also hitting a grand slam before exiting the game after the sixth inning. Through seven games Jones is batting .542 with a double, three home runs, 17 RBIs and a .652 on-base percentage.

“He’s off to a great start,” Carolina coach Chad Holbrook said. “He’s a tough out from both sides, and that makes it hard on the opposition. He’s got a professional approach. He doesn’t chase balls out of the strike zone.”

Freshman Braden Webb earned the win for South Carolina, allowing three hits over five innings of work. He walked three and struck out five. Webb did give up two runs but both were unearned.

USC pounded out 18 hits against Penn State. Destino and Danny Blair each had three, while Jonah Bride, LT Tolbert, DC Arendas and Marcus Mooney added two each.

“We’re getting contributions from a lot of different people. It’s tough to settle on a lineup,” Holbrook said. “I’m “learning about these guys, too. This is the first time I’ve gotten to see a number of them in competition in regards to wearing a South Carolina uniform.”

THREE POINTS

Star of the game: Alex Destino: The sophomore homered twice for the first time in his career and finished with a career-high seven RBIs. He also closed out the game on the mound, allowing one run in the ninth inning.

Play of the game: There were several offensive highlights, but there was also some solid defense played, despite three errors by each team. USC centerfielder Danny Blair made the most impressive play, laying out for a catch in shallow center in the fifth inning.

Stat of the game: 16: The Gamecocks scored 16 runs for the second time in their first seven games. USC scored more than 15 runs only once all of last year.

OBSERVATIONS

Braden Webb’s curveball was much better: The freshman couldn’t throw the off-speed pitch for a strike in the first start of his college career but four of his five strikeouts were on curveballs looking.

Danny Blair’s speed can make a difference: He beat out what looked like a routine groundball to the shortstop in the first inning and later doubled on a ball that would have been a single for most hitters. He also used his speed in the outfield to make a couple of nice plays defensively.

Holbrook has hard decisions to make: USC’s coach believes he has 12-14 starters, and it’s hard to argue with him the way his team is hitting the ball. Carolina had 14 hits Friday night, Holbrook had three new starters in on Saturday, and the Gamecocks pounded out 18 hits.

NEXT

What: South Carolina vs. Penn State, Game 3

When: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28

Where: Founders Park

Probable pitchers: USC – Taylor Widener (Jr. RHP); PSU – Justin Hagenman (Fr. RHP)

Watch: SEC Network Plus (Digital)

Radio: 107.5 FM in the Columbia area

This story was originally published February 27, 2016 at 5:47 PM.