South Carolina vs. The Citadel game recap: Gamecocks top Bulldogs 8-3

After rallying on Sunday to break a losing streak, South Carolina got a winning streak going on Tuesday night with a victory over The Citadel.

The Gamecocks got on the board first, taking a 2-0 lead in the first when Brady Allen got hit by a pitch and then Wes Clarke went yard. USC tacked on another run in the next inning, after Andrew Eyster reached first on an error and then scored on a Colin Burgess RBI single, making it 3-0. The Cocks added more insurance runs in the third. Josiah Sightler doubled with one out, then Clarke and David Mendham walked to load the bases. Then with two outs, Jeff Heinrich knocked a three-run double to put the home team up 6-0. Carolina added yet another run in the fourth, when George Callil singled to start things off and later scored on a sac fly from Sightler to make it 7-0.

The Bulldogs ended the shutout in the top of the fifth, scoring their first run of the game on a Ryan McCarthy solo shot. The Gamecocks got the run back in the bottom of the inning, though, after Burgess knocked a base hit with two outs and scored on an RBI single from Callil to make the score 8-1. The Citadel scored the final two runs of the game in the eighth inning, courtesy of a John Lanier homer and an RBI single from Cole Simpson.

USC starter Will Sanders had a great night, working five innings and giving up just one hit and one run, while walking one batter and striking out 10. He earned the win and improves to 3-1. Daniel Lloyd, Wesley Sweatt, and Andrew Peters also pitched in this game. Bulldogs starter Devin Beckley took the loss and is now 1-2. Braylen Wimmer, Burgess, and Callil each tallied two hits, while Heinrich led the Gamecocks with three RBI.

South Carolina improves to 13-6 overall, while The Citadel drops to 8-10. The Cocks will be back in action on Friday, when they open up a series against Florida. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Founders Park.