South Carolina picks up rain-shortened win over Davidson
Just when it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day for baseball, Mother Nature had other plans.
No. 21 South Carolina beat Davidson, 4-1, in just six innings due to the game being called for inclement weather.
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After Matthew Becker gave up one run in the first inning, the Gamecocks (10-3) got that run right back and more. With the bases loaded, Kennedy Jones worked a walk to tie the game at one. One batter later, Tyler Causey hit a grounder to first to bring home another run.
South Carolina added two more runs in the second as Talmadge LeCroy, who had three hits last night, smoked a line drive RBI single into left field.
Then, with runners on the corners, Ethan Petry got caught up in a pickle and was eventually tagged out. However, Dylan Brewer read the play perfectly and scored from third without a throw.
With Becker throwing 33 pitches in one inning, the Gamecocks chose to turn over to the bullpen to start the second. Tyler Pitzer was first to come out of relief and got off to a good start. He retired the first six batters he faced without allowing a baserunner.
The freshman right-hander would retire two more batters in a row before giving up a two-out single in the fourth. But he’d work around it and strike out his fourth hitter of the game.
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Back out for the fifth, Pitzer would get his fifth strikeout of the day to start the frame off. But Davidson knocked him out of the game with a single and walk in its next two plate appearances.
Despite not being able to finish things off, it was still a brilliant outing for Pitzer, the longest of his college career thus far. He pitched 3.1 innings and only gave up two hits while striking out five and walking one on 60 pitches.
With runners on the corners and one out, Ty Good came in to try and get out of the jam, and he did just that. With Davidson putting the hit and run on, Good got a strikeout and interference call at second base for an inning-ending double play. Good continued to pitch well, striking out the side in order in the sixth.
Up next: South Carolina starts a three-game series with Longwood on Friday night. First pitch is at 7 p.m. on SEC Network Plus. The weekend rotation hasn’t been announced yet. But Eli Jones (1-0, 2.02 ERA) should get the start on the mound.
