Graham Saike celebrates game winning run in game one
USC and Liberty played 16 innings of baseball Sunday at Carolina Stadium and it was all the Gamecocks could do to avoid a sweep by the Flames.
The Gamecocks rallied to win the opener 8-7 scoring all of their runs in the final two frames. They, however, could not produce the same come from behind magic in the night cap as Chad Holbrook took his first loss as a head coach 3-2.
The Gamecocks never led in game two meaning the only time they were ahead all day was when they scored the winning run in the opener.
Kyle Martin was the game one hero for USC driving a shot off the pitcher with two outs in the ninth and the bases loaded. The ball rolled back to the catcher who tried to make the play at first. Shon Carson scored from third with the tying run and Graham Saiko raced all the way home from second with the winning run.
Adam Westmoreland picked up the victory with 2.1 innings of relief.
In game two, the Flames broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the fourth. The Gamecocks made it 3-2 in the sixth and in the seventh, the final inning, USC threatened but with one out, Tanner English was caught stealing and Saiko took a called third strike to end the game.
AUDIO: Chad Holbrook talks about Sunday’s doubleheader [3:40]
(Courtesy: Gamecocks Online)
