Gamecocks close strong to take opener from Alabama 6-4
Tied at four in the fourth inning, the South Carolina baseball team was looking for an answer and not at the scoreboard.
The Gamecocks are in need of help beyond what senior Marcus Mooney provided in the sixth inning, a two-RBI single that secured a 6-4 victory over Alabama on Thursday night in the series opener. USC, in its quest for a conference title, needs two more wins in the final regular season series and chaos in a crowded and powerful SEC.
The win pulls the No. 10 Gamecocks (40-13, 18-9) within a half-game of the Florida Gators – their game against LSU suspended due to weather – in the SEC East standings and a half-game back of Texas A&M and Mississippi State in the race for the SEC regular season title.
South Carolina coach Chad Holbrook said earlier this week that his team’s focus was on improving and putting themselves in a position to win the first game of the series – things they could control – and not the revolving door that is the SEC standings.
“It may be as big a win as we’ve had all year considering the circumstances and how the game unfolded,” Holbrook said.
The Gamecocks started fast by scoring a run in the top of the second inning off a sacrifice fly by freshman Chris Cullen, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI. USC added two unearned runs in the fourth off an error and an RBI single in the fifth by junior Gene Cone.
The tone of the game changed in the bottom of the fifth inning.
USC starter Clarke Schmidt struck out the first batter of the inning but allowed four runs – including a two-run home run by Alabama second baseman Cobie Vance – before being pulled for junior Reed Scott. Schmidt finished the game throwing 4.2 innings with four runs on six hits, striking out six and walking three.
The game was not tied for long as Mooney delivered a two-run single in the sixth that brought home Cullen and Madison Stokes.
“Clarke didn’t have his best stuff,” Holbrook said. “They fought back and tied it and we didn’t lose our composure. It was a big night for us, a big, big win.”
The Crimson Tide (31-22, 15-13) were unable to mount any rally as the Gamecocks held Alabama scoreless the final four innings. USC scored its six runs on 11 hits.
Scott (4-1) earned the win in the decision. He pitched 2.1 innings, striking out three and allowing no runs on three hits. He was relieved by Tyler Johnson, who earned his seventh save.
“Reed was special,” Holbrook said. “He’s been special his last several appearances. I feel comfortable going to him in any spot.”
USC still needs help to win the SEC title, but a sweep of Alabama would secure the Gamecocks a first round bye in the SEC tournament next week in Hoover, Ala.
This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 11:39 PM.