South Carolina landed the first blows on Rocky Top, Friday, but the Volunteers’ counterattack proved to be more effective as Tennessee scored eight straight runs to claim an 8-3 victory in Knoxville, Tn.
USC’s performance in the second inning made it look as if the Gamecocks were poised to snap their losing streak and upset the nation’s top-ranked team. South Carolina loaded the bases on a single, a walk and an error before breaking through on Talmadge LeCroy’s infield single. Gavin Casas followed with another RBI single before Austin Brinling capped the big inning with a sacrifice fly.
The Gamecocks’ advantage held until the Volunteers’ four-run sixth inning. With USC trailing 4-3 entering the seventh, head coach Mark Kingston stuck with freshman reliever Jake McCoy. McCoy had closed out the sixth with a strikeout. The young southpaw lost his command in the seventh, however. After fanning the first batter of the frame, McCoy walked the second hitter he faced and plunked the next.
McCoy yielded to Parker Marlatt, another freshman, but Tennessee treated him just as poorly. After surrendering a walk to load the bases, UT first baseman Blake Burke ambushed the first pitch he saw, launching a grand slam to right center and putting the game out of reach.
USC (33-20, 13-16) is skidding toward the end of the regular season, needing a win at 1 p.m., Saturday to break up a five-game losing streak and avoid a second consecutive sweep in conference play.
Box Score
Mark Kingston postgame press conference
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