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With the end of the regular season being tomorrow and the Gamecocks still in the mix for the SEC title, they really need to sweep Alabama this weekend. So far, they're on the right track, clinching the series on Friday night.
South Carolina took an early lead, getting on the board in the first inning. With two outs, Alex Destino and Dom Thompson-Williams singled, then Jonah Bride came through with an RBI base hit to make it 1-0. The Tide tied the game in the bottom of the inning, though, on a solo homer by Georgie Salem.
The tie held until the fifth inning, when the Gamecocks tacked on two runs. Chris Cullen walked to start things off, then came home on a two-run blast by John Jones, his first since a go-ahead homer against Arkansas many moons ago.
The final South Carolina run of the night came in the next inning, which DTW led off with a home run. Alabama scored its final run in the eighth inning, when a walked forced a runner in with the bases loaded. The Tide made things interesting in the ninth inning, but they couldn't get quite pull off a rally.
Gamecocks starting pitcher Braden Webb had another great outing, working into the seventh inning. He allowed seven runs but just the one run, walked two batters, and struck out 10. Josh Reagan and Tyler Johnson also pitched in this game.
With the win, South Carolina improves to 41-13 overall and 19-9 in conference play, while Alabama drops to 31-23 overall and 15-14 in the SEC. The Gamecocks also clinched a top four seed in the SEC Tournament, so they'll get a bye in the first round (#blessed). South Carolina will go for the sweep of Alabama on Saturday, with first pitch set for 3 p.m. ET.