Red-hot Gene Cone fuels Gamecocks win over Missouri

South Carolina hit the ball hard in the first five innings Friday night against Missouri without much to show for it. The Gamecocks were finally rewarded for putting the ball in play in the sixth.

No. 12 USC rallied from a 4-1 deficit with a four-run sixth inning en route to an 8-5 win over Missouri in Game 1 of the three-game series at Founders Park.

The victory improves the Gamecocks to 31-8 (12-4) and keeps USC alone atop the SEC standings.

“Obviously it was a big win for us. Things really didn’t look so good for us when we were down 4-1 there in the top of the sixth,” Carolina coach Chad Holbrook said. “I feel very, very relieved and fortunate that we were able to get this one when things didn’t look so hot at some points in the game. We’ll take it and move on.”

South Carolina fell behind early as the Tigers scored two runs in the second inning, one in the third and one in the fourth off USC ace Clarke Schmidt.

The Gamecocks had only pushed a run across on an RBI single by John Jones in the third inning before rallying, thanks in part to shaky defense by Missouri.

Alex Destino led off the sixth inning with a double to right center and scored on an RBI single by Jonah Bride that hit off the third baseman’s foot.

After an error, a fielder’s choice and a walk, Marcus Mooney grounded into a fielder’s choice to cut the lead to 4-3.

Gene Cone, who is red hot at the plate, followed with a two-out, two-run double to left to give USC its first lead of the game.

“We hit a lot of balls hard tonight and got out. ... If you hit a ball hard and get out, you know you’re right there. We knew it was coming,” Cone said. “He threw me a changeup and it caught the heart of the plate. I was able to put a good swing on it and stick it in that corner.”

Cone finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs and now has a 25-game hitting streak, which ties the school record for a single season.

The overall school record is 26 games and is held by Whit Merrifield, who accomplished the feat over the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

“I think it’s confidence and just trying to take it one pitch, one at bat at a time and just put as many good swings on baseballs as I can,” he said of his impressive run at the plate.

Schmidt pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed four runs on nights hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Reed Scott (3-1) finished off the sixth inning and earned the win, while Tyler Johnson pitched 2 2/3 innings and only allowed a solo homer in the ninth to earn his third save.

Bride finished 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Jones had two hits and an RBI.

The game started more than an hour late because of a rain delay.

South Carolina can clinch the series when the two teams meet Saturday afternoon at Founders Park at 4 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for a stadium dedication ceremony at 3:45 p.m.

THREE POINTS

Star of the game: Gene Cone: The junior stayed on fire at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs, two runs and a walk. He has a 25-game hitting streak and can tie the school record on Saturday.

Play of the game: With South Carolina trailing 4-3 and runners on the corners with two outs in the sixth, Cone lined a double down the left field line to give USC its first lead of the game.

Stat of the game: 25: Cone’s 25-game hitting streak ties the school record for a single season and is one shy of the overall school record.

OBSERVATIONS

Jones heating back up: The designated hitter led the Gamecocks for the first several weeks of the season before falling into a big slump. Jones has a hit in each of the past three games and has back-to-back multiple hit games.

Gamecocks took advantage of mistakes: The four-run fifth inning was aided by a couple of errors and USC made Missouri pay with two two-out runs.

Scott’s outing should not be overlooked: He pitched only 2/3 of an inning but got a big out in the top of the sixth as Missouri had two runners on and a 4-1 lead when Scott got a strikeout to end the frame.

NEXT

What: South Carolina vs. Missouri

When: 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Founders Park

Probable pitchers: USC – Braden Webb (Fr. RHP); Missouri – Tanner Houck (So. RHP)

Watch: SEC Network Plus (Digital)

Radio: 107.5 FM in the Columbia area

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 11:27 PM with the headline "Red-hot Gene Cone fuels Gamecocks win over Missouri."