Vanderbilt’s pitchers had no answers for Ethan Petry, Saturday, as the sophomore slugger drove in four runs and homered twice in the Gamecocks’ doubleheader sweep at breezy Founders Park.
Game 1 starter Eli Jones held third-ranked Vanderbilt in check until the USC lineup landed some big blows in the seventh on its way to an 8-4 victory. The nightcap was in doubt until Petry, Cole Messina and Tyler Causey went deep to help USC pull away 8-3.
The Gamecocks caught a break in the seventh inning of the first game as Vanderbilt’s centerfielder misplayed Ethan Petry’s fly ball. The gaffe unloaded the bases loaded and Petry ended up at third, turning a one-run lead into a 6-2 advantage for USC. Moments later, Petry scored on Talmadge Lecroy’s poke to right.
In Game 2, Vanderbilt broke through with a run in the second, but Petry promptly tied it up with a homer to left, his ninth of the season, in the bottom half of the inning.
The teams traded runs over the next couple of innings. With the game tied 3-3, Messina unloaded on a 3-1 fastball, launching a two-run home run to left and giving the Gamecocks a 5-3 lead. Despite the blustery conditions, Petry and Causey each hit opposite-field homers in the sixth, putting the game out of reach. Petry has reached base in the last 33 games dating back to last season.
Jones gave USC a fantastic start in Game 1, holding the third-ranked Commodores scoreless through six innings before exiting with runners aboard in the seventh. Both runners later scored and were charged to Jones, costing him the win. Chris Veach got the win in relief. Four Gamecocks pitchers combined to hold Vanderbilt to three runs in Game 2. Ty Good (2.2 IP, 1 ER) got the win in relief of Dylan Eskew and Garrett Gainey (0.64) picked up the save.
South Carolina (19-5, 3-2) will go for the series at 1:30 p.m., Sunday.