/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54955117/5302715.0.jpg)
So, that happened. In a turn of events I’m pretty sure no one saw coming, South Carolina won another elimination game in Hoover, meaning they’ll stay in the SEC Tournament.
The Gamecocks got on the board early, taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Alex Destino homered with one out, then Danny Blair brought TJ Hopkins home with a one-out RBI single. Missouri loaded the bases in the bottom of the third, but came away without scoring.
South Carolina added another run in the fourth inning on a solo homer by Jonah Bride, and the shutout ended in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double by Alex Samples that made the score 3-1.
More runs came for the Gamecocks in the fifth inning, after Blair and Justin Row singled and then Carlos Cortes went yard for his first three-run homer of the day. An RBI single by Row in the sixth inning made it 7-1, then Cortes’ second three-run homer of the game brought in South Carolina’s final runs.
The Tigers tacked on the last run of the game in the bottom of the ninth on a home run by Nelson Mompierre.
Starter Wil Crowe had a strong outing, working into the seventh inning. He was replaced by Colie Bowers, until Graham Lawson took over to pitch in the ninth.
With the win, the Gamecocks advance to play the loser of tonight’s LSU/Kentucky game on Friday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. ET.