South Carolina vs. #19 LSU Game 2 Recap: Gamecocks Beat Tigers 11-4, Win Series

South Carolina has scored 11 runs against No. 19 LSU in back-to-back games, something everyone definitely expected to happen after the Gamecocks lost to Presbyterian earlier this week.

USC took another early lead, going up 3-0 in the first inning. With one out, Carlos Cortes and Madison Stokes singled, Tolbert doubled to bring Cortes in, and a wild pitch got Stokes home. Tolbert later scored on a sac fly by Justin Row.

The Gamecocks doubled their run total in the second inning. Jacob Olson started things off with a base hit, Cullen followed with a single as well, and with two outs, Stokes smacked a two-run double. Tolbert followed with another double to make it 6-0.

Two more South Carolina runs came in the third inning. Row singledto lead off, Olson doubled with one out, then Chris Cullen hit a sac fly and TJ Hopkins knocked an RBI base hit to make the score 8-0. The Tigers threatened in the fourth when they loaded the bases, but they weren’t able to capitalize. Both teams were quiet in the middle innings, then the Gamecocks added another run in the seventh, going up 9-0 after Jonah Bride led off with a double and Row doubled to bring him home.

LSU scored all four of its runs in the top of the eighth inning, thanks to an RBI single and a three-run homer that made the score 9-4. USC’s final three runs of the game came in the bottom of the inning, when Hopkins singled and advanced on an error to start things off, Cortes walked, and Stokes brought them both in with a double.

Much like in Friday’s game, the Gamecocks had strong pitching performances throughout the game. Starter Adam Hill pitched six innings and allowed four hits and no runs. He walked four batters and struck seven out. Hill earned the win and is now 4-4 on the season. Parker Coyne and TJ Shook combined to pitch the rest of the game.

South Carolina improves to 22-17 overall and 8-9 in the SEC, while LSU is now 24-16 overall and 9-8 in conference play. The Gamecocks will go for the sweep on Sunday, with first pitch set for 1:30 p.m. at Founders Park. Cody Morris will start on the mound for USC.