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South Carolina’s offense came alive against Wright State, with the Gamecocks scoring in the double digits for the first time this season.
The first runs of the game came in the first inning, as South Carolina jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. With two outs, Alex Destino and Madison Stokes singled, then Matt Williams got hit to load the bases. Jacob Olson came through with a bases-clearing double to put the home team on top.
The Gamecocks tacked on another run in the fourth inning. Olson led off with a single, Hunter Taylor doubled, and a groundout from Jonah Bride made it 4-0.
In the sixth inning, South Carolina took advantage of some mistakes by the Raiders to break things open. With one out, Taylor doubled again, Bride singled, and a sac bunt from Danny Blair brought Taylor home. TJ Hopkins followed with a walk, then Justin Row got plunked to fill the bases with Gamecocks again. A balk made the score 6-0, then Stokes walked with two outs to force in another run. After that, Williams came through with a two-run single to make it 10-0.
Almost all of Wright State’s runs came courtesy of Adrian Marquez, who hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and belted a solo shot in the ninth. The Raiders’ final run of the game came in the ninth as well, when the bases were loaded and a hit batter forced a runner home.
The South Carolina offense as a whole looked good in this game, and Taylor in particular, in his first start of the season, had a really good day. He was also involved in a few very nice defensive plays.
Starting pitcher Wil Crowe cruised through 6 1⁄3 innings, allowing just four hits and one run. He walked one batter and struck out nine. Brandon Murray, Sawyer Bridges, and Josh Reagan went the rest of the way for the Gamecocks.
With the win, South Carolina is now 5-2, while Wright State falls to 2-3. The Gamecocks will go for the sweep on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Founders Park. Adam Hill will start on the mound for the home team.