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After the emotional (on both sides) ending to today's first game, I wasn't sure how the second one would go, but fortunately things ended in USC's favor, as they took an early lead and never trailed.
The Gamecocks took a 1-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a Grayson Greiner sac fly, but the Rebels tied it up in the third. Braxton Lee singled, Wil Crowe plunked Austin Anderson, and Will Allen walked to pack the bases. Sikes Orvis came through with an RBI single, but they left the bases loaded and did no further damage.
South Carolina regained the lead two innings later. After Connor Bright and Greiner knocked back-to-back singles, Tanner English laid down a bunt (P.S. he's fast) and it was enough to get Bright across the plate and put the home team up 2-1.
Ole Miss had a chance to tie or take the lead in the sixth inning, but the Gamecocks escaped unscathed after Cody Mincey replaced Crowe and coaxed a double play.
Another insurance run came in the bottom of the eighth for the Gamecocks. Marcus Mooney walked to start things off, Elliott Caldwell laid down his first sac bunt of the year, and Joey Pankake laced an RBI single, making it 3-1 in favor of the home team.
The Rebels managed just one baserunner in the ninth inning, as closer Joel Seddon came in to shut things down.
Crowe worked 5.1 innings and allowed six hits, no runs, walked a batter, hit one, and struck out two. He earned the win and is now 4-0 on the season. Mincey tossed three innings and gave up one hit, no runs, issued two walks, plunked a batter, and tallied four Ks. Seddon was flawless in his one inning of work and got the save, his sixth.
It was also encouraging to see the bullpen keep up their streak of not allowing runs, which is obviously a huge asset to the team.
Ole Miss started Sam Smith lasted seven innings and surrendered six hits, three runs, walked one batter, and struck out five. He took the loss and falls to 3-1 on the season.
Pankake, Kyle Martin, and Bright all had two hits for USC, while Allen led the Rebels with three.
South Carolina improves to 18-1 (2-1 in the SEC) while Ole Miss drops to 17-4 (1-2 in conference play). The Gamecocks will be back in action on Tuesday, when they travel to take on the Citadel. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.