USC scored nine runs in the fifth and sixth innings combined to turnaround a tight game with Missouri in an 11-1 win over the Tigers Saturday afternoon at Founders Park. The nine runs came on a total of four hits, three in the fifth and one in the sixth. The big blow in the fifth was a three run homer by Brady Allen that put the Gamecocks on top 3-1.
Missouri pitchers came unglued in the sixth. The only hit of the inning was a leadoff single by Wes Clarke off starter Spencer Miles. Miles then hit Andrew Eyster, and balked the runners ahead to second and third. After a groundout to the pitcher, Miles walked Colin Burgess to load the bags and was pulled for Shane Wilhelm.
Wilhelm walked the only two batters he faced to force in two runs. Spencer Juergens was next in out of the bullpen and he proceeded to walk in a run, allow a run on a wild pitch, yield a run on a sac fly and throw a second wild pitch allowing a runner to score from third.
The Gamecocks added two runs in the 8th on an RBI single by Braylen Wimmer and ground out to second by Josiah Sightler.
Brannon Jordan started and earned the win to improve to 4-2 on the season. He pitched five innings allowing two hits and one run. He struck out eight and walked four. Daniel Lloyd pitched the final four innings for the save. He scattered four hits and struck out two without allowing a walk. 27 of his 36 pitches went for strikes.
The Gamecocks evened the series with the Tigers at a game each. They are now 20-9 overall and 7-4 in the SEC. The final game of the series will be Sunday afternoon with first pitch at Noon. USC has not yet named its starter.
