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The Gamecocks salvaged one game against Vanderbilt this weekend to avoid their first series sweep. South Carolina took an early lead, getting on the board in the second inning. Chris Cullen and Carlos Cortes hit back-to-back singles to start things off, then LT Tolbert belted his second three-run homer of the weekend to put the Gamecocks up 3-0.
Another South Carolina run came in the next inning. TJ Hopkins led off with a double, then came home on a sac fly from Alex Destino.
The Commodores ended the shutout in the seventh inning when they scored their only run of the game on an RBI single by Reed Hayes. The Gamecocks tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the inning. Madison Stokes walked, Matt Williams doubled, and they came home on an RBI single from Hopkins and an RBI groundout by Destino.
Starter Adam Hill had a great outing, despite being somewhat inconsistent and inefficient. He pitched into the sixth inning and did not give up any hits or runs. While he walked five batters, he also struck out a career-high-tying 11. Josh Reagan pitched the remainder of the game. Hill earned the win and is now 2-3 on the season, while Reagan got the save, his second of the year.
With the win, South Carolina improves to 21-10 overall and 7-5 in the SEC, while Vanderbilt drops to 21-12 overall and 6-6 in conference play. The Gamecocks will return to action on Tuesday, when they travel to Charlotte to take on North Carolina. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.