For the first 14 innings of this weekend’s SEC series against Arkansas, the USC offense was held in check to the tune of one run and three hits. The Gamecocks finally broke thru in the sixth inning of Friday’s first game scoring four runs on three hits. That wiped out a 2-0 Arkansas led and gave the Gamecocks a 4-2 win that evens the series at a game each. Game three will Friday night at 7:00 PM.
The Razorbacks scored single runs in the second and fifth innings off Gamecock starter Brannon Jordan for a 2-0 lead. Arkansas starter Payton Pallette allowed just one hit and two walks thru five innings. But after giving up a one out walk and a single to put runners on the corners, Pallette was removed for Caden Monke who promptly loaded the bases with a four pitch walk. That led to another pitching change, righty Zebulon Vermillion.
Andrew Eyster greeted him with a RBI single to left. Josiah Sightler then drew a walk to tie the game at 2-2. A sacrifice fly to right by Colin Burgess gave USC its first lead at 3-2. And George Callil capped the four-run rally with a RBI single to right.
The Gamecocks added a pair of runs in the eighth on RBI singles by Colin Burgess and Michael Robinson to make it a 6-2 game.
Andrew Peters,, who replaced Jordan in the fifth, earned the win with three innings of hitless relief. He allowed one baserunner via a walk and struck out three. Brett Kerry finished up to earn the save.
The Gamecocks are 25-11 and 11-6 in the SEC. They will start Will Sanders in Friday night’s third game.
