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Hello again, win column. The offensive production in the second game of today's doubleheader was still kind of minimal, but the Gamecocks finally took advantage of an opportunity (albeit at the last minute) and bounced back following their loss in the first game.
USC got off to a less-than-impressive start, though, as they had the bases loaded in the second inning, but failed to cash in (stop me if you've heard that before). That failure was magnified when the Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. DC Arendas had an unfortunate set of errors, then Ryan Tella and Dan Glevenyak knocked RBI singles that brought the runners home.
The Gamecocks finally ended the shutout in the seventh inning. Grayson Greiner and Connor Bright started things off with singles, then Elliott Caldwell laid down a sac bunt to advance them both. Gene Cone was up next, and he came through with an RBI single to make it 2-1. Carolina had a chance to tie or take the lead, but a botched double steal and a fly out ended the threat.
Auburn left the bases packed in the eighth inning, which was fortunate for the Gamecocks. Especially so because finally, South Carolina capitalized. With the bases full of Gamecocks, Gene Cone came through with an RBI double to tie the game, and Jordan Gore knocked a single to give USC a 3-2 lead. The Tigers had no answer, and the Gamecocks finally snapped their losing streak.
Carolina starter Jack Wynkoop worked seven innings and allowed eight hits, two runs, issued no walks, and struck out one batter. Cody Mincey earned the win and improves to 3-0, and Joel Seddon got the save, his tenth of the season. Keegan Thompson, Auburn's starter, went eight innings and gave up eight hits, one run, walked one batter, and tallied five K's. Jay Wade took the loss and drops to 3-2.
Greiner and Cone had three hits each to lead the Gamecocks, while Jordan Ebert and Damek Tomscha had two each to pace the Tigers.
South Carolina is now 29-10 overall (9-8 in the SEC) and Auburn falls to 22-18 overall (7-10 in conference play). Sunday's rubber game is set to begin at 2 p.m.