:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46161098/IMG_0417-M.0.0.jpg)
The Gamecocks really needed to win this series. Somewhat surprisingly, they did it.
Vanderbilt got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a home run by Jeren Kendall. The Commodores tacked on another run in the fourth. Kendall led off with a double and eventually came home on a wild pitch.
South Carolina ended the shutout, tied the game, then took the lead in the sixth inning. DC Arendas was hit by a pitch to start things off, then he came home on an RBI triple by Max Schrock. Kyle Martin walked, and with one out, Alex Destino knocked an RBI single to tie the score at 2-2. South Carolina took the lead on a two-out RBI single from Logan Koch.
Starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt got himself into a couple of jams, but he also did an impressive job getting out of them. He was relieved in the fourth inning by Cody Mincey, who earned the win and is now 2-2 on the season. Taylor Widener also pitched for the Gamecocks in this game. He got the save, his ninth of the year.
This was a good win, and the players should be proud of themselves for getting it. On the one hand, it's sort of hard to complain after a win, especially one in these circumstances. On the other, the Gamecocks only managed to score in one inning, despite having chances in multiple others. Fortunately, Vanderbilt didn't have much offense either - and the aforementioned pitchers did a good job getting out of trouble - but still.
With the victory, South Carolina wins its first SEC series since sweeping Kentucky a month ago. The Gamecocks improve to 25-16 overall and 8-10 in conference play, while the Commodores drop to 29-12 overall and 12-6 in conference play. South Carolina will be back in action on Tuesday when they travel to take on Furman. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Fluor Field in Greenville.