Historic weekend for Jones leads to Gamecock series sweep
South Carolina entered Sunday’s series finale against Penn State firing on all cylinders, riding a seven-game winning streak, and dominating in all phases of the game. Sunday, though the game was closer, the outcome was the same and the Gamecocks left Founder’s Park with a 4-2 win, series sweep and an undefeated 8-0 record.
Junior right-hander Taylor Widener started on the hill for the Gamecocks, and much like last week, struggled to settle in initially. Penn State jumped out to its first lead of the series on an RBI single from right fielder Nick Riotto.
The Gamecocks clawed back in the bottom of the frame though, scoring on a throwing error to tie the score.
Faced with adversity, the Gamecocks turned to a familiar face to provide the spark that led to their 4-2 win and series sweep over the Nittany Lions.
*** Photo Gallery by Paul Collins ***
Tied 1-1 in the third inning, catcher John Jones sent a ball back up the middle to score two runs and give the Gamecocks their first lead. The RBIs were Jones’ ninth and 10th of one of the greatest single-series performances in school history and his sixth multi-RBI game this of the year.
South Carolina would go on to put up three runs in the bottom of the third and never looked back, allowing only a solo home run to lead off the top of the fourth, before junior relievers Reed Scott and Josh Reagan shut down the Nittany Lion offense for good.
Jones’ third inning hit was part of a historic weekend for the sophomore catcher, a junior college transfer from Florida State College. Already tied for 18th in the country with nine RBIs entering the weekend, Jones came up to bat 14 times, and got out as often as you and me. 14 plate appearances, 14 successful at-bats. The 14 at-bat on-base streak is almost unheralded at South Carolina and included two homers, six walks and 10 RBIs and eight hits.
In the history of South Carolina baseball, only two players have had longer hit streaks: Skeets Thomas in 1989 and Tim Angiolini in 1999, both of whom hit successfully in nine straight at-bats.
Though Jones continues to insist he takes each at-bat one at a time, some of his teammates took notice of the incredible series.
“A whole weekend without getting out doesn’t happen often,” second baseman D.C. Arendas said. “I’m not sure if John plays video games, he may not have done it in a video game.”
Even video game players would struggle to put up the kind of numbers Jones has put up this season. In just eight games, the sophomore has a .694 on-base percentage and 19 RBIs to go along with a .593 batting average and three home runs, all best on the team.
Jones exited the game in the seventh inning after his third single to a standing ovation from a Founder’s Park crowd that appreciated his incredible series. Head coach Chad Holbrook shared the sentiment.
“He’s had an incredible run,” Holbrook said. “He’s just looking at the ball so good and he’s very, very patient. If they don’t throw the ball in there for him, he’s gonna take it. He’ll take his walks and set the table for someone else. He’s a matchup issue with the opponent because he’s a switch-hitter. He’s a big physical guy, works hard in the weightroom, loves to hit and he’s got a great knowledge and great approach up there.”
With all of the attention on Jones, it can be easy to overlook the play of other key contributors. Scott and Reagan combined for 4 ⅓ scoreless innings after Scott relieved Widener with two on in the fifth inning.
Scott earned the win after 3 ⅓ hitless innings in which he allowed only a walk. Reagan earned his second career save after closing out the ninth with two strikeouts and a hit in a inning of work.
Third baseman Jonah Bride and left fielder Dom Thompson-Williams each reached base for the eighth time this season. The top two hitters in the order combined to go 2-7 with three runs on the day.
The Gamecocks will have Monday off before traveling to Charleston for the first road game of the season against The Citadel. Freshman right-hander Adam Hill (1-0) will start on the mound for the Gamecocks on Tuesday. South Carolina will then prepare for the annual home-neutral-away series against rival Clemson next weekend.
Linescore
PSU: 100 100 000 = 2-8-2
USC: 103 000 00x = 4-8-1
WP: Reed Scott (1-0) LP: Justin Hagenman (1-1)
SV: Josh Reagan (1)
HR: PSU James Coates (3rd, solo)
Scoring
PSU 1st - Starting pitcher Taylor Widener allowed a leadoff double and RBI single in the first inning. With no outs and a runner at first, Widener gave up a bunt single before inducing a strikeout and 5-3 double play to end the inning. ONE RUN, THREE HITS (1-0 PSU)
USC 1st - The Gamecocks struck back in the bottom of the first, scoring on a fielder’s choice and throwing error as shortstop Jim Haley attempted to turn a double play on Alex Destino’s slow grounder but threw wide of first base, allowing Jonah Bride to score. ONE RUN, ONE HIT, ONE ERROR (1-1)
USC 3rd - D.C. Arendas and Dom Thompson-Williams opened the frame with back-to-back singles putting runners on first and second for Bride, who laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt. Penn State pitcher Justin Hagenman’s throw went wide and pulled the first baseman off the bag, loading the bases for designated hitter John Jones. Jones, of course, delivered, driving in two runs with a single and advancing to second base on the throw. After Destino grounded out and freshman LT Tolbert was walked intentionally, Bride scored on Chris Cullen’s sacrifice fly. THREE RUNS, THREE HITS, ONE ERROR (4-1 USC)
PSU 4th- James Coates took Widener’s first pitch of the inning deep to right field for a solo homer. Widener made quick work of the next three batters, getting a flyout, strikeout and pop out to end the inning with no further damage. ONE RUN, ONE HIT (4-2 USC)
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