The Gamecocks jumped on Vanderbilt starter Devin Futrell, Sunday, swatting the ball all over Founders Park in the early innings and holding on for a 10-2 victory. South Carolina posted six runs in the bottom of the first and led 8-0 after three innings as they completed a sweep of the second-ranked Commodores.
A day removed from a pair of dominant performances, USC gave Vandy more of the same in the series finale. Over the weekend set, the Gamecocks outscored Vanderbilt 26-9 and won each game by four or more runs.
At the same time South Carolina was getting good looks against Futrell, Vanderbilt’s lineup was having no success against Gamecocks freshman Tyler Pitzer. Pitzer (4-0, 0.48) fanned nine and gave up just two runs (both unearned) on three hits in 6.1 innings.
Ethan Petry, who homered twice in Saturday’s nightcap, got the scoring going with a two-run single in the first inning, Sunday. Gavin Casas (1-3, 2 RBI) capped the six-run first with a two-run homer to right. Kennedy Jones hit a solo shot to left in the second, his fourth long ball of the season. Dylan Brewer (2-4, 2 RBI) singled home another run in the third to give the Gamecocks a commanding 8-0 lead.
Vandy finally got on the board with a pair of unearned runs in the seventh, but USC answered right back with a homer from Brewer and an RBI double from Cole Messina. Brewer’s strong game brings his average up to .346.
South Carolina (19-5, 3-2) will next play host to Presbyterian College at Founders Park, where the Gamecocks of won 16 of 17, at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday.
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