:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59569899/8156058.0.jpg)
After a lackluster performance on Saturday, the Gamecocks looked like the might be falling back into bad habits on Sunday against No. 17 Vanderbilt, but they rallied - TWICE! - to beat the Commodores and lock up another important SEC series win.
Vandy got on the board first, taking a 4-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a walk, a couple of groundouts, and an error. South Carolina cut the lead in half in the third inning, when LT Tolbert singled with one out, then Jonah Bride hit a two-run homer to make the score 4-2.
The Dores got a run back in the fourth inning on an RBI double that put them up 5-2, then the Gamecocks scored a run in the top of the sixth on a solo shot by Madison Stokes to make it 5-3. Another Vandy run came in the bottom of the sixth thansk to an RBI triple that made the score 6-3.
USC tied things up for the first time in the top of the seventh. TJ Hopkins singled with one out, Carlos Cortes and LT Tolbert walked to load the bases, and Bride followed with an RBI sac fly. Justin Row abd Madison Stokes then knocked back-to-back RBI singles to make it 6-6. The Commodores answered in the bottom of the inning by scoring three runs on a pair of doubles to put them up 9-6.
The Gamecocks again tied the game in the eighth inning. Noah Campbell walked to start things off, Hunter Taylor singled, and Cortes went yard with one out to make the score 9-9. They had a chance to finally take the lead, but were unable to capitalize in the inning. Fortunately, they did find a way to score one more run in the ninth inning, when Jacob Olson got hit by a pitch to lead off, advanced on a fielding mishap, and came home on an RBI sac fly by Taylor.
Much like Adam Hill on Saturday, Sunday starter Cody Morris struggled and had a very short outing. He worked just two innings and gave up two hits and four runs. He walked one batter, hit two, and didn’t strike any out. Eddy Demurias took over and pitched four innings, and Sawyer Bridges, Parker Coyne, John Gilreath, and Graham Lawson also pitched in this game. Lawson earned the win and is now 1-1 on the season.
With the win, South Carolina improves to 26-18 overall and 11-10 in the SEC, while Vanderbilt is now 25-18 overall and 11-10 in conference play. The Gamecocks will be off until Friday, when they start a series against Ole Miss. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Founders Park.