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After the dramatics against UNC Greensboro on Sunday, the Gamecocks racked up a decidedly more chill 7-1 victory over Winthrop on Tuesday night.
South Carolina got on the board early, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Brandt Belk walked, Michael Braswell reached on a fielder’s choice, and Braylen Wimmer singled to load the bases. Andrew Eyster then reached on a fielder’s choice to bring in the first run of the game. The Cocks had a chance to break things open early, but instead left the bases loaded.
USC did add to their lead in the third inning, though, after again loading the bases. Eyster singled to start things off, Connor Cino walked, and Kevin Madden reached on a fielder’s choice, then Colin Burgess knocked a two-run single, making the score 3-0. Again they had a chance to break things open with the bases still loaded, and again the couldn’t capitalize. Not ideal tbh.
Winthrop ended the shutout in the top of the fourth, making it a 3-1 game on a Dillon Morton solo shot. The Gamecocks got that run back in the bottom of the inning, bumping the score to 4-1 on a two-out base hit by Madden. Yet again they had a chance to break things open, but left the bases loaded instead. Again, not ideal.
The Cocks did add several more insurance runs, though. They went up 5-1 in the fifth on a two single from Eyster, then took a 6-1 lead in the seventh when Michael Braswell wingled with one out. The final run of the game came in the eighth inning when Madden went yard.
Carolina starter Cade Austin went four innings and gave up just four hits and one run. He walked one batter, struck out three, and got the win, his first. Aidan Hunter, John Gilreath and CJ Weins also pitched in this game, and the bullpen again did a very nice job overall. Eagles starter Carter Sutton took the loss. Eyster led the Gamecocks at the plate with three hits, while he, Madden, and Burgess all tallied three runs. Sean Flannery led Winthrop with three hits as well, and Morton had their only RBI.
USC improves to 3-1 on the season, while the Eagles are now. The Cocks will be back in action on Friday, when they host George Washington. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.