The USC Gamecocks won the first game of the best of three Super Regional against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers by the score of 4-3.
USC got 4 early runs that proved enough to win a crucial first game that saw many good plays and good pitching. Senior Blake Cooper put forth another strong effort as he went seven-plus innings and allowed three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and three walks to improve to 12-1 for the season.
Player of the Game goes to freshman Matt Price who put out the “Coastal fires” slammed in the final two innings. Like I said he my preview, me likes this kid. He is great to have in the bullpen coming in to save a game. Price worked two scoreless innings of relief and struck out three batters with just one walk and one hit allowed to pick up his ninth save of the season. He came in with bases loaded and got CCU to K twice and ground out. Thus ensuring victory.
Play of the Game goes to USC second baseman Scott Wingo for his magical double play. A liner went off Cooper’s glove, to Wingo who tagged second falling down, he then made the throw to get the out at first. Again…thus ensuring victory.
Carolina finished the game with nine hits and played a perfect game defensively. Coastal had seven hits and one error that lead to two unearned runs.
Remember how in my preview I said Bradley Jr is the spark-plug for USC. Well, he was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI and extended his hitting streak to 15 games.
South Carolina will be the home team tomorrow for game two. Pitching for USC will be Sam Dyson and CCU will send Cody Wheeler to the mound.
First pitch for Game 2 is scheduled 1:00 p.m. on Sunday and will be televised on ESPN.
The South Carolina Gamecocks Baseball team is just a game away from being in Omaha for the first time since 2004.
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