LSU dominated USC over the first 15 innings of the rain interrupted SEC series in Baton Rouge that began Thursday night and finished Saturday with a pair of seven inning games. The Tigers won easily Thursday night 5-1, and they were on their way to clinching the series with a 2-0 lead going to the seventh inning of Saturday’s opener. But that’s where everything turned in the Gamecocks’ favor. They rallied to win 4-2 in that first game and dominated the nightcap 9-0 for their first series win at LSU since 2013 and their fourth straight SEC series win this season.
USC was held to three hits over the first six innings of game one on Saturday, then put together a four hit, four run rally in the top of the seventh. Braylen Wimmer tied the game with a two-run double to right. After George Callil was hit by a pitch, Brady Allen delivered the go-ahead runs with a double to left.
Brett Kerry came on to pitch the bottom of the seventh and retired the Tigers in order with a strike out and two fly balls to record his third save. Andrew Peters (3-1) earned the win with two innings of scoreless relief behind starter Brannon Jordan.
The Gamecocks took the momentum from that seventh inning into Saturday’s second game. They scored six runs over the first three innings, and with freshman Will Sanders in complete control, their lead was never in jeopardy.
David Mendham got the Gamecocks off on the right foot in the top of the first with a two-run homer. The Gamecocks made it 5-0 in the second on a RBI triple by George Callil, a RBI double by Brennan Milone and a RBI single by Wes Clarke.
The Gamecocks added a run in the third then put the game away with a three-run sixth inning. Wimmer homered to left, and Andrew Eyster and Colin Burgess had RBI singles.
USC had 14 hits in game two, five for extra bases. The Gamecocks were 6-13 with runners in scoring position and 7-14 hitting with two outs. Five of their runs came with two men away.
Sanders threw 102 pitches over his six innings and allowed five hits and one walk while striking out four. He raised his record to 6-1. Julian Bostic finished up by striking out the side in the seventh inning.
The Gamecocks are now 24-10 and 10-5 in the SEC. They currently sit in second place in the East. They are off until Thursday night when they open a three game series at home against top ranked Arkansas.
