USC hit 58 home runs for the entire 2022 season. Through four games of the 2023 season, the Gamecocks are sitting on 19 long balls after hitting five more Tuesday afternoon in a 19-3 win over Winthrop at Founders Park in Columbia. The Gamecocks improved to 4-0 on the season and will host Queens Wednesday afternoon.
Ethan Petry led the home run parade for USC with a pair that drive in a total of four runs. Cole Messina matched that RBI total with a grand slam. Braylen Wimmer also homered for the third time in four games, and Caleb Denny also left the park.
Freshman Eli Jerzembeck made his highly anticipated debut for the Gamecocks in front of a collection of pro scouts and did not disappoint. He threw 62 pitches, 43 for strikes, over the first four innings. He allowed four hits, one earned run and struck out four.
Eli Jones followed Jerzembeck to the mound and picked up the win. He worked 2.2 innings and allowed four hits and two runs, one earned, while striking out four.
The Gamecocks benefited from some wildness from the Winthrop staff. The Eagles walked 11 USC hitters and plunked three others.
