In front of 8,188 fans at Carolina Stadium, the third largest crowd in school history, Thursday night the University of Florida Gators baseball team defeated the University of South Carolina Gamecocks by the score of 3-2 in the series opener.
This game lived up to the hype coming in and was a great college baseball game to watch as the Gators claimed victory and are now in the driver’s seat entering the final two games of the regular season that determines the SEC regular season champ.
Florida got the lead early and held on to it tight as the South Carolina team could not capitalize off any threats after inching to within one run.
Florida reliever Jeff Barfield improved to 4-0 on the year after working 2.2 innings. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out four batters. Most important was the work of UF’s Chapman who came in to close the door. He was lights out.
South Carolina starter Blake Cooper suffered his first loss of the season and is now 10-1 on the year. He allowed three runs on eight hits in 6.2 innings with three strikeouts and one walk. He did not settle down until the UF damage was done and SC could not help him out.
South Carolina will turn tonight (7 p.m., Fox Sports South) to junior right-hander Sam Dyson (5-4, 3.79 ERA) to be the stopper. Florida will send freshman right-hander Hudson Randall (6-3, 2.96) to the mound.
Florida (39-12, 21-7 SEC) is now a victory away against the Gamecocks (42-12, 20-8) from clinching the league title. USC must step it up and get a win tonight or the dream of SEC number one seed and potential national seed is out the window.
USC has to make the most of their chances when at the plate and Sam Dyson has to be stellar. UF’s bullpen is too good so USC must score early and often tonight. I expect a fired up group of Gamecocks tonight both on the field and in the stands.
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