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The Gamecocks beat an in-state opponent in a midweek game! After Wofford obliterated Clemson last night, the Terriers didn't have quite enough tonight, which was good news for South Carolina, as they managed to get a crucial (I can't believe I'm typing that) win.
The Gamecocks jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning. Gene Cone led off with a single, stole second, and came home on a Kyle Martin RBI single to make it 1-0. Elliott Caldwell followed with a double, Martin came home on an RBI base hit from Alex Destino, and Caldwell scored on a throwing error.
Wofford got on the board in the top of the second with a leadoff homer by Conor Clancey.
South Carolina was aggressive on the basepaths in the early innings, and that helped them get an insurance run in the third inning. DC Arendas started things off by taking a walk, Martin reached first and Arendas advanced to third on an error, and then Arendas raced home on a Caldwell groundout to make it 4-1. Destino was up next, and he tallied his second RBI of the night and the Gamecocks' final run with a single that got Martin across home plate.
The Terriers tacked on a run in the fourth on an error by Jordan Gore, and a RBI single by Alec Paradowski in the seventh inning brought in Wofford's third run.
The South Carolina pitching staff did a great job tonight, despite not getting a ton of help from the offense past the middle of the game and some shoddy defense. Starter Josh Reagan pithed into the fifth inning, when he was replaced by Brandon Murray, who earned the win tonight, his fifth of the season. Reed Scott came on in the eighth inning and earned the save, his first of the season.
With this victory, the Gamecocks have ensured that they will finish the season with a record of at least .500, which is so sad to type, but given the way this season has gone, I guess it's something...sigh.
South Carolina improves to 28-21 overall, while Wofford drops to 33-17. The Gamecocks will be back in action this weekend, when they travel to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. First pitch in Friday's game is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.