Destino pinch-hit RBI lifts Gamecocks to series sweep of Vols

Alex Destino wasn’t healthy enough to start Sunday’s series finale against Tennessee, but felt good enough to provide the game-winning hit.

The sophomore delivered a pinch-hit single to left with two on and two outs in the eighth inning to lift USC to a 4-3 win over the Volunteers.

The victory completed the sweep of Tennessee by the Gamecocks (28-5) and keeps USC in first place in the SEC at 10-2.

Destino had not played in a game since crashing into the wall at Vanderbilt on April 1.

“I was very relaxed for the situation I was in,” Destino said “He threw me two sliders, and the second one I saw very well and was able to slap it into left.”

Destino tried to convince USC coach Chad Holbrook to put him in the starting lineup on Sunday, but to no avail as Holbrook opted to give his left fielder a couple more days of rest so that he would have more velocity on his throws.

Still, Destino made sure Holbrook knew he was available to pinch hit if needed.

“I didn’t really say anything to him. I was just trying to bug him by standing around him a lot when it came down to the high intensity part of the game,” Destino said.

Despite his heroics, South Carolina had to hold on in the top of the ninth inning.

With Tyler Johnson on the mound, Derek Lance singled to right. USC closer Josh Reagan replaced Johnson and allowed back-to-back bunt singles to load the bases with no outs.

Tennessee had its 3-4-5 hitters due up in Nick Senzel, Vincent Jackson and Jordan Rodgers, but Reagan got Senzel to ground back to the pitcher and Reagan fired home, Jackson struck out swinging and Rodgers popped up on the infield.

“We could probably replay that scenario 100 times, the bases loaded and nobody out, and Nick Senzel coming to the plate, and out of 100 times they would get at least one run probably 99 times,” Holbrook said.

Reagan added that he didn’t panic with the game on the line.

“You’ve got to trust yourself. You’ve got to think that you can get out of it with nobody scoring because it was a one-run game,” Reagan said. “If you start having doubt in your head, that’s when things aren’t going to go your way.”

Adam Hill started for the Gamecocks and allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings, but USC’s bullpen pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Jonah Bride was the only Carolina player with multiple hits, while Marcus Mooney added a pair of RBIs.

Tennessee outhit USC 10-7, but stranded 11 runners.

THREE POINTS

Star of the game: Destino: The sophomore went the opposite way with a slider to score the game-winning run in his first action in more than a week. The single also extended his hitting streak to 21 games.

Plays of the game: Facing Senzel, Jackson and Rodgers in order with the bases loaded is about as tough as it gets, but Reagan didn’t allow a ball out of the infield. The three have combined for 129 RBIs on the year.

Stat of the game: 33: Tennessee stranded 33 runners in the three-game series, including 11 on Sunday.

OBSERVATIONS

Hill still struggling with command: USC’s starting pitcher hit four batters and walked one in 5 1/3 innings. He walked five hitters and also hit a batter last week at Vanderbilt.

More solid defense: Mooney and the rest of the Gamecocks played error-free defense for the second straight game. Mooney had six assists, and USC finished with one error all weekend after struggling defensively at times against Vanderbilt.

Gamecocks a confident bunch: At 28-5 and in sole possession of first place in the SEC, Carolina has a bit of a swagger that was missing for most of last year.

NEXT

What: South Carolina vs. North Carolina

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: BB&T Ballpark (Charlotte)

Probable pitchers: USC – TBA; UNC – TBA

Watch: SEC Network Plus

Radio: 107.5 FM

This story was originally published April 10, 2016 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Destino pinch-hit RBI lifts Gamecocks to series sweep of Vols."