South Carolina vs. Florida game 2 recap: Gamecocks top Gators 4-1, win series

After Friday night’s five-plus-hour marathon game, South Carolina and Florida wrapped up in about half that time on Saturday, as Gamecocks pitching cruised for almost all nine innings and the home team came away with a series victory.

The Gators were again first on the board, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI double by Kris Armstrong. That score held for several innings, through USC had several chances to break the shutout but left runners stranded multiple times. Then came the fifth inning, when Braylen Wimmer doubled, Josiah Sightler walked, and Wes Clarke went yard to put USC up 3-1. The final run of the game came in the eighth inning, after David Mendham reached first on an error and then scored courtesy of a George Callil sac fly.

Carolina starter Brannon Jordan had an excellent outing, pitching seven innings and allowing just one run on five hits, while walking only one batter and striking nine out. Brett Kerry tossed the other two innings and did not give up a hit, run, or walk, while striking out three batters. Jordan got the win, making him 2-2, while Kerry earned the save, his second. Florida starter Jack Leftwich took the loss and is now 4-1, and he also hit six batters, after hitting just one before this game. Wimmer, Sightler, Clarke, Mendham, and Colin Burgess each tallied one hit, while Clarke led the Cocks with three RBI.

USC improves to 15-6 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, while the Gators are now 16-7 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The Gamecocks will go for the sweep on Sunday, with first pitch set for noon at Founders Park.