Gamecocks clinch crucial series vs. Alabama with 4-2 win

It was only the fifth inning, but the sophomore designated hitter knew something had to be done.

John Jones’ team had been sat down in order three-straight innings and finally got the leadoff hitter on base with a walk just before Jones arrived at the plate. The time for something special was now.

Jones felt a calming presence come over him as he stepped to the plate. He took the first pitch ball and then turned the calming presence into rousing jubilation by smashing the ball for a home run that would prove the game winner.

The Gamecocks are in good shape heading into the final game of the regular season – still needing some help in their quest for an SEC title – after taking the second game of the final regular season series Friday from the Alabama Crimson Tide 4-2.

The No. 10 Gamecocks (41-13, 19-9) secured the series victory with the win – their first since a late April series victory against Missouri – and took a half-game lead on the Florida Gators in the SEC East standings and remain a half-game back of Texas A&M and Mississippi State in the race for the SEC regular season title.

“A big win for us and couldn’t more proud of our team and how they competed,” said head coach Chad Holbrook.

The Gamecocks began the game with consecutive groundouts, but three straight singles brought home the first run of the game off a RBI single by third baseman Jonah Bride. Alabama centerfielder Georgie Salem tied the game in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run.

An early summer evening in Alabama suddenly got cold.

The Gamecocks were unable to muster any offense and were sat down in order over the next three frames until Jones stepped to the plate in the top of the fifth inning. Jones, who went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, blasted a two-run homer off the right field foul pole to give USC a 3-1 lead.

“I’m glad I have a coach who believes in me,” Jones said. “He’s fought for me through this stretch and keeps throwing me in there.”

Dom Thompson-Williams, 2-for-4 with an RBI, added a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning to provide insurance for starting pitcher Braden Webb.

The Crimson Tide (31-23, 15-14) were unable to mount a rally as the Gamecocks held Alabama scoreless until the bottom of the eighth when Alabama loaded the bases and produced a run off a walk. The Tide were unable to close the gap in the ninth and the Gamecocks hung on for the win and the series victory. USC scored its four runs on 10 hits.

Webb (10-4) earned the win with nine strikeouts, two walks, and one run on seven hits in six innings of work. Tyler Johnson was brought on in the ninth inning and earned his eighth save of the season.

“We’re one of the top four teams in the No. 1 conference in the country, and that says we had a great regular season,” Holbrook said. “I couldn’t be more happier for the team and the position that we’re in and see if we have enough in the tank to play a great game tomorrow.”

The Gamecocks were able to lock down a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament next week in Hoover, Ala. USC can clinch the SEC East by completing the sweep of Alabama and a loss by the Gators, who play a doubleheader against LSU. The Gamecocks would need a loss by Texas A&M and Mississippi State to go along with a Florida loss in order to win the SEC regular season title.

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 11:42 PM with the headline "Gamecocks clinch crucial series vs. Alabama with 4-2 win."