Alabama 7-USC 6 Game Summary
Founders Park
- South Carolina trailed 7-0 going to the bottom of the sixth, then scored a run in the sixth and four in the eighth. The Gamecocks added a run in the ninth and got the winning run to the plate.
- With the defeat, the Gamecocks reached the 30-loss mark for the first time in program history. Their 17 home losses are a program record. Their eight-game losing streak is their longest since 1961.
- Alabama jumped on USC starter Alex Valentin (1-4) for three runs in the first, then scored two more in the fifth, one of which was unearned.
- Crimson Tide starter Myles Upchurch kept the Gamecocks off the scoreboard through the first five innings, limiting them to three hits. USC did load the bases in the fourth with one out on a single and two walks, but Tyler Bak lined out to second and Will Craddock grounded out to second to end the threat.
- Alabama scored a pair of unearned runs in the sixth after a fielding error by Craddock at first base that made it a 7-0 game.
- USC finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out double by Craddock, followed by an RBI single by Ethan Lizama.
- Alex Philpott, who came on in the sixth to replace Zach Russell, set down six in a row over the seventh and eighth innings to keep the score at 7-1.
- With one out in the bottom of the eighth, the Gamecocks put runners on first and second. A throwing error by the second baseman on a fielder’s choice allowed one run to score. A sacrifice fly by Luke Yuhasz scored a second run to make it 7-3. And then KJ Scobey hit a two-run homer to cut the lead to 7-5 going to the ninth.
- Alabama threatened in the ninth with runners and the corners and one out against Parker Marlatt, but he got a ground ball double play to end the inning.
- Jake Randolph reached on a fielding error by the shortstop to open the bottom of the ninth. With one out, he moved to second on a balk. Dawson Harman then singled up the middle to score the run for a 7-6 game. Matthew Heiberger entered for Alabama, and he struck out Tyler Bak looking and got Craddock to ground out to third to end the game.
- South Carolina is now 22-30 overall and 7-20 in the SEC. Alabama is 35-17 and 16-11.
- USC will close out the home regular season schedule Tuesday night against Winthrop.
