The day after failing to get it right and having only 1 (one) base runner, South Carolina recovered with a victory over Vanderbilt in the third game of the series, avoiding a sweep and ending the losing streak after six games.
The Commodores took the lead early on, rising 3 to 0 in the first inning, when Enrique Bradfield Jr. scored in the choice of a defender and CJ Rodriguez hit a two-race home run. Vandy added another streak in the third inning on a single from Rodriguez that made the score 4-0.
The Gamecocks broke the shutout early in the fourth inning, when Brady Allen and Braylen Wimmer hit consecutive solo shots to make a 4-2 game. Dores had one of those races back at the end of the inning, courtesy of a triple Jayson Gonzalez RBI who placed them 5-2.
Then it was USC’s turn to score again, while they pulled inside a race at the top of the fifth. Brennan Milone chose to lead, so Colin Burgess and George Callil walked to load the bases without outs. Allen made a double play, but Milone was able to return home, so Wimmer came up with an RBI base hit to make the score 5-4. The Cocks recovered again in the eighth round, taking their first lead in the game and in the series. Allen doubled over to start, Wimmer chose and Josiah Sightler was hit to reload the bases. Wes Clarke and Andrew Eyster then contributed each with a draw, leveling the game and putting South Carolina at the top.
Gamecocks holder Julian Bosnic worked 3.1 entries and withdrew from four strokes and five runs, walked two hitters and hit six strokes. Brett Kerry did the rest of the way and did a tremendous job, giving up just three strokes, not allowing runs, not counting strides and eliminating 10 hitters. He won the victory and improves to 2-0. Vanderbilt’s reliever, Nick Maldonado, had the defeat and is now 0-1. Allen and Wimmer led USC on the board with three hits each, and Wimmer also had two RBIs.
Gamecocks are now 12-6 overall and 1-2 in the SEC, while Commodores are 15-3 overall and 2-1 in conference games. South Carolina will be back in action on Tuesday when it receives The Citadel. The first performance is scheduled for 7 pm at Founders Park.