The final series of the regular season didn’t go quite as South Carolina might have hoped, but the Gamecocks did just enough, winning one of the three games, to lock up the No. 4 seed at this week’s SEC Tournament, which gives them a first-round bye. A successful showing in the tourney could impact whether or not USC is chosen as a regional host site (though they likely will be), which may serve as extra motivation for the guys. Plus, it would be nice to get back into the win column before the national tournament starts.

South Carolina 4, Mississippi State 5

The Cocks took an early lead in Thursday night’s game, putting up two runs in the first inning. Graham Saiko led off with a walk, Chase Vergason singled, and Joey Pankake tripled to get both guys in.

The Bulldogs cut that lead in half in the third inning. Nick Ammirati started things off with a base hit, Alex Detz coaxed a one-out walk, and Brett Pirtle singled with two outs to make the score 2-1.

Carolina padded their lead in the fifth inning, scoring their final two runs. Brison Celek knocked a one-out double, then Tanner English came through with a double of his own with two outs. Saiko followed that with a RBI base hit that put the visitors on top 4-1.

MSU responded and took the lead in the eighth, though. Wes Rea led off with a home run, C.T. Bradford singled, Demarcus Henderson laid down a bunt for a base hit, Ammirati brought Bradford across the plate with a single, and Adam Frazier came through with a RBI base hit of his own to tie the game. Then it was heartbreak time, as a wild pitch, intentional walk, and an unintentional free pass brought in another run to make it 5-4 in favor of the home team. Rea ended the inning with a groundout and the Bulldogs left the bases loaded, or things could have been even worse.

Yardcocks starter Nolan Belcher worked 6 1/3 innings and allowed nine hits, one run, walked three batters, and struck out four. After a brief appearance by Adam Westmoreland, Tyler Webb, making his school record-breaking 103rd appearance, pitched the final inning and gave up four hits, three runs, and issued two walks. He took the loss and drops to 2-2. After the game, Webb said he would give up 100 appearances in exchange for the save, which was heartbreaking.

Mississippi State starter Luis Pollorena went 4 2/3 innings and surrendered five hits, four runs, and walked one batter. Chad Girodo threw one inning, issued a walk, tallied two K’s, and earned the win, improving to 6-1 on the season. Jonathan Holder threw the final inning, struck out a batter, and earned the save, his 15th of the season.

Celek had two hits to lead South Carolina at the plate, while Bradford, Henderson, and Ammirati all had three to lead the Bulldogs.

» Continue reading “Yardcocks Drop Series In Starkville, But Clinch No. 4 Seed In Hoover”

Things got a little testy at Carolina Stadium today, when Georgia’s baseball team had words with third base coach Sammy Esposito and Joey Pankake following a controversial call on Pankake. That led to ejections and heckling and confusion, but fortunately didn’t derail South Carolina’s victory.

Both teams were scoreless until the third inning. In the top of the inning, Heath Holder led off with a double, Sean McLaughlin laid down a sac bunt, and with one out, Hunter Cole doubled to make it 2-0 UGA. It was the only lead they would have, though, and the Cocks responded in the bottom of the inning.

Graham Saiko knocked a base hit up the middle with one out, Pankake singled with two outs, and Grayson Greiner came through with a RBI base hit to get the home team on the board. After that, Max Schrock drew a walk to load the bases, then Brison Celek knocked a single that got him two RBI and made it 3-2 in favor of USC.

The Yardcocks padded their lead in the fourth. Kyle Martin started things off with a walk, Tanner English laid down a bunt single, and then a wild pitch advanced both of the runners. Saiko grounded out but brought in a run, Chase Vergason came through with a RBI base hit, and then was able to move up on another wild pitch. Pankake singled to right to make it 6-2 Carolina, and later tried to steal third and was called out to end the inning.

It appeared to be a bad call, though, and Pankake was highly unamused. So was Esposito, and some sort of shouting match ensued with the Georgia players. It was all a big hot mess that resulted in craziness, which included fans shouting at the visiting team and Esposito, Gamecocks strength and conditioning coach Billy Anderson, and Bulldogs assistant coach Jason Jacobs being removed from the game.

» Continue reading “Bulldogs Have Some Bark, Little Bite As Gamecocks Sweep Series”

This year’s senior class was honored before today’s game. (L-R: Nolan Belcher, LB Dantzler, Colby Holmes, Dante Rosenberg, Patrick Sullivan, Sean Sullivan, Chase Vergason, Tyler Webb, Adam Westmoreland)

Jordan Montgomery tossed a no-hitter through six innings and the Gamecocks cruised to a 7-1 victory over the visiting Bulldogs today at Carolina Stadium, giving them a win on Senior Day and locking up the series.

USC got on the board first, in the second inning. With two outs, Max Schrock walked, then Connor Bright brought him home with a RBI double that put the Cocks up 1-0.

They added to their lead in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. In the fourth, Joey Pankake led off with a triple, then crossed the dish on a one-out sac fly from Grayson Greiner, putting the home team on top 2-0.

In the fifth inning, T.J. Costen knocked a two-out single, Graham Saiko followed that with a base hit of his own, and Chase Vergason came through with a RBI single to make it 3-0. Pankake then delivered a single that was good for two more runs, putting Carolina up 5-0.

The Yardcocks made it 6-0 in the sixth, when Dantzler started things off with a walk, Greiner doubled, and Schrock launched a sac fly to get Dantzler in.

UGA finally got on the board with their one and only run in the top of the seventh inning. Kyle Farmer knocked a one-out triple and Jared Walsh brought him across home plate with a sac fly.

Carolina padded their lead again in the bottom of the inning, though, scoring their last run of the day after Saiko singled, Vergason reached first on a fielder’s choice, stole second, then scored thanks to an error.

» Continue reading “South Carolina Beats Georgia, Clinches Series”

Grayson Greiner had a pretty okay night, I guess.

Nolan Belcher finally got some run support, Grayson Greiner was a homer away from the cycle, and South Carolina played solid offense and defense en route to a 7-2 win over Georgia tonight.

The Bulldogs took an early lead, as Nelson Ward started the game with a home run. The Gamecocks answered in the bottom of the first, though. With two outs, Joey Pankake knocked a base hit up the middle, LB Dantzler, DH-ing, doubled to get Pankake in, and Greiner belted a triple to bring home Dantzler and make it 2-1 in favor of the home team.

USC padded their lead in the third inning. Dantzler led off with a walk, Greiner doubled, and Graham Saiko came through with a RBI sac fly. Then Kyle Martin, tonight’s first baseman in place of Dantzler, singled to right to up the score to 4-1.

The Cocks added to their lead again in the fifth. Greiner started things off with a base hit, Saiko walked, and Martin laid down a sac bunt to advance the runners. Connor Bright reached first on an error, which also brought Greiner across the dish. English notched a RBI courtesy of a sac bunt, making it 6-1 Carolina. Schrock then came through with a single for the Yardcocks’ final run of the game.

UGA had just one more run left in them, and it came in the eighth inning. Heath Holder sent a base hit up the middle, DJ Smith knocked a one-out base hit, and Ward laid down a RBI bunt single to get in their second and final run of the game.

» Continue reading “Belcher, Offense Propel Yardcocks Past Dawgs”

USC and Vandy only got to play two games in Columbia this weekend thanks to the yucky weather, and unfortunately for the home team, they lost both of them.

South Carolina 2, Vanderbilt 3

The ‘Dores took an early lead in Friday night’s game. In the second inning, Vince Conde knocked a two-out single, then Spencer Navin went yard to put the visitors on top 2-0.

The Cocks had a chance to get themselves on the board in the fourth inning, but left two runners stranded instead.

Vandy then padded their lead a little bit in the sixth. Mike Yastrzemski walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and stole third. He came home when Conrad Gregor singled back up the middle. Luckily, the Commodores left two men stranded so no more damage was done. They also stranded two runners in the seventh inning, another fortunate break for Carolina.

The Yardcocks finally tallied a run in the eighth inning. Graham Saiko knocked a one-out double, then Joey Pankake hit a double of his own to get Saiko across the dish and end the shutout.

South Carolina tried to rally in the ninth, but fell just short. They did manage one run, though, as Kyle Martin came through with a pinch-hit homer.

Gamecocks starter Nolan Belcher, who has pitched really well this season and not always gotten much help offensively/defensively, went six innings and allowed six hits, three runs, walked one batter, hit one, and struck out six. He took the loss and drops to 6-5 on the season. Colby Holmes threw the final three innings and gave up two hits and also recorded a K.

Vanderbilt starter Kevin Ziomek lasted eight innings and surrendered eight hits, one run, and struck out four batters. He earned the win and improves to 9-2 on the season. Brian Miller pitched the final inning and allowed one hit and one run. He also got the save, his 13th.

USC’s biggest problem was that though they made good contact, they hit a lot of balls right to ‘Dores players. Pankake and LB Dantzler each had two hits to lead the Cocks at the plate and Navin had two to lead the visitors.

» Continue reading “Gamecocks Drop Both Games Against Commodores”

In one of the most important series of the season, the Gamecocks went into Baton Rouge and beat the Tigers twice, including one shut out, to win the series and keep them in good shape for the postseason. This should also hopefully calm some fans who were ready to hit the panic button a week or two ago.

South Carolina 2, LSU 5

The Tigers were the first ones on the board Friday night, and they put up their first runs in the second inning. With two outs, Ty Ross and Jacoby Jones took back-to-back walks, then Jared Foster singled to load the bases. Sean McMullen came through with a base hit of his own to bring both Ross and Jones across the plate and put the home team up 2-0.

LSU added to their lead in the fourth. Ross, Jones, and Foster knocked back-to-back-to-back singles, then McMullen launched a sac fly that put his team on top 3-0.

The Cocks ended the shutout in the fifth inning, as Connor Bright singled with two outs, then Tanner English tripled to get him home and make it 3-1.

The Tigers added another run in the sixth, though. McMullen got a boo-boo and a free base with two outs, Mark Laird knocked a base hit, and with runners on the corners, Alex Bregman singled to left to put LSU up 4-1. They added their final run in the next inning. Raph Rhymes reached first on an error by Chase Vergason, then made it to second. He advanced to third thanks to a sac bunt from Christian Ibarra, and came home when Ross singled to center.

USC tried to rally in the ninth inning, but they managed only one more run, as Joey Pankake led off with a homer.

Yardcocks starter Nolan Belcher lasted 5 2/3 innings and allowed seven hits, four runs, walked four batters, struck out four, and hit one batter. He took the loss and dropped to 6-4 on the season. Patrick Sullivan pitched the remaining 2 1/3 innings and gave up three hits, one run, and tallied one K.

Tigers starter Aaron Nola tossed a complete game and surrendered six hits, two runs, struck out eight batters, and hit one. He obviously earned the win and improved to 8-0 on the season.

Pankake had two hits to lead Carolina at the plate while Sean McMullen, Ty Ross, Jacoby Jones, and Jared Foster all had two for LSU.

» Continue reading “South Carolina Takes Two Out Of Three Against LSU”

USC bounced back nicely from getting swept last weekend in Gainesville by doing the sweeping this weekend in Columbia, rallying in all three games to beat UK.

South Carolina 5, Kentucky 2

Both teams were held scoreless until the sixth inning in the first game of the series, which was moved to Saturday thanks to the weather. The Wildcats took a 2-0 lead in the top of the inning, as Kyle Barrett knocked a one-out base hit and Zac Zellers went yard. The Gamecocks responded – and took the lead – in the bottom of the inning, though. With one out, Joey Pankake and LB Dantzler hit back-to-back jacks to tie the game. Then Max Schrock doubled and Brison Celek singled for a RBI, and Celek later came home on a throwing error to make it 4-2 in favor of the home team.

Carolina added their final run in the next inning. Chase Vergason and Pankake both singled, then Dantzler grounded out to advance them. Schrock hit a sac fly that brought Vergason across the dish and put the Cocks on top 5-2.

USC starter Nolan Belcher went 7 2/3 innings and allowed six hits, two runs, hit two batters, and struck out six. He earned the win and improves to 6-3 on the season. Adam Westmoreland threw the final 1 1/3 innings and gave up a hit and tallied two K’s. He also got the save, his third of the season.

UK starter A.J. Reed lasted 5 1/3 innings and surrendered nine hits, four runs, and struck out four batters. He took the loss and drops to 2-5. Walter Wijas and Ryne Coombs combined to pitch 2 2/3 innings and allowed five hits, one run, a walk, and tallied two K’s.

Connor Bright was 3-for-4 to lead the Yardcocks at the plate and Barrett and Zellers both had two hits to lead the Cats.

» Continue reading “Yardcocks Come From Behind In All Three Games, Sweep Wildcats”

Max Schrock’s homer was one of the few highlights for the Yardcocks today.

Welp.

For the second time this season (but only the tenth time in 17 years), South Carolina was swept by a conference opponent. After playing two close games Thursday and Friday, the Gators’ offense came alive today and they beat the Cocks 14-5.

The Cocks got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Max Schrock led off with a single, Grayson Greiner knocked a one-out base hit, Joey Pankake got a booboo and a free base to load the bases, and Graham Saiko walked with two outs to bring in Schrock. They had a chance to take a more sizeable lead, but instead left the bases loaded (womp womp womp).

Their slim lead was short-lived, as UF put up four runs in the bottom of the inning. Zack Powers singled up the middle, then moved to second on a balk. Vickash Ramjit knocked a base hit to put runners on the corners with one out, then Connor Mitchell laid down a sac bunt. He made it all the way to second, though, because of fielding issues, and a throwing error by LB Dantzler got Powers across the plate to tie things up. Harrison Bader came through with a RBI single to make it 2-1, then Cody Dent laid down a sac bunt to get another run in. Casey Turgeon singled to get Bader across the dish and put the home team on top 4-1.

USC responded in the top of the third when Celek walked and Schrock went yard to make the score 4-3. The Yardcocks then tied things up in the sixth inning. Pankake led off with a base hit, Saiko walked with one out, and Chase Vergason knocked a single to left that loaded the bases with Carolina players. Dantzler reached on a fielder’s choice and Pankake crossed home to make it 4-4. Unfortunately, they left the bases loaded and things went downhill from there.

The Gators offense went bonkers in the bottom of the inning, plating 10 runs (they hadn’t done that since 2005). Ramjit started things off with a double, Mitchell singled, and Bader walked to fill the bases. Pinch hitter Josh Tobias sent a base hit to left to bring in a run, then Turgeon did the same thing. Richie Martin singled to right, then advanced to second on the throw, and two more runners came across the plate to put Florida up 8-4.

» Continue reading “Florida’s Offense Explodes As Gamecocks Get Swept”

Connor Bright’s homer was one of the few bright spots for USC tonight.

Womp womp womp.

That’s really all there is to say after tonight’s game, as South Carolina dropped another game they could – and should – have won, falling to Florida 4-3.

After the Gamecocks left two stranded in the top of the first, the Gators took an early lead, getting on the board in the bottom of the inning. Richie Martin led off with a walk and Casey Turgeon singled, putting runners on the corners. With one out, the runners were able to advance on an error by USC pitcher Jordan Montgomery and UF took a 1-0 lead.

The Cocks responded in the third inning. Graham Saiko started things off with a base hit, then Chase Vergason knocked a double and Brison Celek walked with one out to load the bases. Max Schrock was out at first, but his hit was enough to get Saiko across the plate and knot the score at 1-1

Carolina took the lead in the next inning, as Connor Bright went yard to put his team up 2-1. That score held until the eighth inning, when Yardcocks padded that lead a little bit. Schrock walked to lead off, then stole second. He advanced to third on a groundout by Joey Pankake, then came home on a RBI single from Grayson Greiner.

Unfortunately, the Gators answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Turgeon singled to start things off, Shafer laced a one-out base hit to center, Vickash Ramjit walked to load the bases, and Josh Tobias grounded out to bring in the first run. Harrison Bader came through with a base hit and got to second on the throw, which also meant that two Florida players crossed the dish, putting the home team up 4-3.

Down to their final three outs, Tanner English walked and then advanced on a sac bunt from Saiko. With two outs, LB Dantzler got an intentional free pass, then English and pinch runner Ahmad Christian advanced on a wild pitch, putting runners at second and third. Celek struck out, though, which ended South Carolina’s hopes for a rally.

» Continue reading “Yardcocks Lose Another Game They Should Have Won, Gators Clinch Series”

You wouldn’t necessarily know it by the score, but the Gamecocks didn’t look particularly sharp tonight, losing 3-2 to the Gators. It obviously wasn’t a blowout or anything, but two of UF’s three runs were unearned and pretty much shouldn’t have happened.

After USC left two runners stranded in the top of the second, the Gators took their first lead in the bottom of the inning. Justin Shafer led off with a single, Vickash Ramjit followed with a base hit of his own, and Josh Tobias reached first on an error by George Iskenderian. The runners were all able to advance thanks to the error, so Shafer cross the plate for Florida’s first run. With one out, Mike Fahrman knocked a single that brought Ramjit home and made it 2-0 in favor of the home team.

The Cocks tied things up in the top of the third, though. Tanner English got a booboo and a free base to start things off, Graham Saiko singled to left, and Chase Vergason laid down a sac bunt to move the runners up. Joey Pankake struck out, but Saiko advanced and English crossed the dish on a wild pitch. LB Dantzler came through with a RBI base hit to get Saiko in and knot the score at 2-2.

The Gators responded with the final run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ramjit knocked a bunt single to lead off, Harrison Bader notched a base hit, Ramjit advanced to third, and then Bader stole second. Then another error, this time from Grayson Greiner, allowed Ramjit to make it home and put UF up 3-2.

Carolina had a chance to tie or take the lead in the sixth and seventh innings, but both times they left two runners stranded. Down to their final out, the Yardcocks had a runner, TJ Costen, on second, and Vergason at the plate. He came through with a single, and Costen, who had gotten to third, broke for home. He slipped, though, and couldn’t make it back to third in time, which meant the game was over. It appeared that the Florida third baseman might have been blocking the base, but the game had already been declared over.

» Continue reading “Offense, Defense Lacking As South Carolina Falls To Florida”