Bats come alive as Gamecocks shell Citadel 16-4
Box Score | Photo Gallery | 15 Things
The Gamecocks picked up where they left off during Sunday’s 10-7 win over Texas A&M by shelling The Citadel for 13 hits and winning their final regular season home game 16-4 Tuesday night at Founders Park. The victory also completed a two-game season sweep of the Bulldogs.
The 16 runs is the most scored since plating 16 against Penn State on February 27.
“it was an important win because we certainly wanted to head to Tuscaloosa with some momentum and feel good about ourselves,” head coach Chad Holbrook said. “So offensively, I hopefully our guys are feeling decent about ourselves.”
South Carolina (39-13) jumped on the Bulldogs’ starting pitcher Nate Brecklin early, scoring three runs and chasing him after six batters.
John Jones seemed to break out of his hitting slump early, driving in the first two runs of the game on a two-RBI single to left field. Jonah Bride followed it up with another RBI single. The Gamecocks led 3-0 after two innings.
Bride would also drive in runs in the third inning, lacing a two-RBI double to left. A Madison Stokes sacrifice fly would put the Gamecocks up 6-0 entering the fourth inning.
Bride would finish with four hits and five RBI, both career highs.
“He’s swinging with a little bit of authority and he’s getting some confidence,” Holbrook said. “He’s been a good, solid player for us all year long.”
The Citadel would get one back in the fourth, however, when Stephen Windham hit a solo home run to left field. It was the Bulldogs’ first hit of the game. Colie Bowers would finish the inning, but Brandon Murray would relieve him in the fifth.
South Carolina would break the game open in the fifth behind a DC Arendas grand slam and three straight hits after that to lead 13-1 going to the sixth inning. It was Arendas’ third home run this season.
“I was trying to be aggressive,” Arendas said. “But I don’t know what that feeling’s like. It hasn’t happened often, but I was just grateful to get a barrel on the ball.”
The Citadel would plate three runs in the sixth and chase Murray, who was replaced by sophomore Tyler Haswell.
The Gamecocks would ride out the game behind pitching from Matt Vogel and Vince Fiori as well as RBI singles from LT Tolbert, Clark Scolamiero and Brandon McIlwain to re-establish their double-digit lead and win the game 16-4. It was McIlwain's first career hit and RBI.
“I think he let out a big smile out there. It was good to see him smile. It's impressive watching him take BP," Holbrook said. "I think he's going to do great things for us in the future."
South Carolina finished its weekday games with an 11-2 record and finished 22-3 outside the SEC. It also finished 30-4 at home. The Gamecocks travel to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama in a three-game series starting Thursday.
The Gamecocks still have a chance to win the SEC regular season title. USC stands one game behind Texas A&M and Florida heading into the final weekend of league play. South Carolina is also still in position for a first-round bye in next week's SEC Tournament as it holds a one-game lead over Ole Miss for the fourth and final bye position.
First pitch for Thursday’s game in Tuscaloosa is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
“If you finish in the top four in the league, that’s a great accomplishment. But you could finish in the middle of the league and still win a national championship,” Holbrook said. “But it is nice to get a bye. But we got work to do to get into that spot.”
Not a GamecockCentral.com member and want to get all the scoop? SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Never miss a moment with the GamecockCentral app: App Store - Google Play
