USC broke a 2-2 tie with Winthrop scoring three runs over the final two innings in a 5-2 win in Rock Hill Wednesday night. The Gamecocks swept the two-game season series with the Eagles and improved to 19-17 with their fourth win in their last five games. The Eagles fell to 13-24.
USC broke the tie in the eighth inning with Brandt Belk reaching after being hit by a pitch, advancing to second on a sacrifice and scoring on a single by Talmadge LeCroy.
The Gamecocks added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Belk and a wild pitch that scored Evan Stone from third.
Eli Jones started on the mound for the Gamecocks and pitched the first two innings allowing four hits and one run. Aidan Hunter worked the next three innings and scattered four hits with one run. Cam Tringali, Cade Austin and Matthew Becker combined for no-hit ball over the final four innings. Austin (3-1) earned the win and Becker (4) picked up the save.
LeCroy, Braylen Wimmer and Michael Braswell each had two hits, and LeCroy drove in two. Belk had a hit and extended his hitting streak to 23. He started in center to make way for Kevin Madden first. Madden has an arm injury that will prevent him from playing third for the time being. LeCroy continues to start a third. And Josiah Sightler, who is dealing with a lower leg injury, served as the DH.
USC opens a three-game series at Auburn Friday night.
