It wasn’t smooth, but the Gamecocks got it done Friday, beating Florida 4-2 to even the series.
Tyler Johnson, who came in with a man on first and no outs in the eighth, faced the tying run twice in two innings and faced the potential winning run at the plate twice.
The junior flamethrower got out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the eighth. After walking Deacon Liput to load the bases, Johnson got a pop up, strike out and fly out to end the inning.
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He gave up a run in the ninth, balking with a runner on third and no outs, but finished the game with a pop up, strikeout and ground ball. Johnson picks up his sixth save of the season.
Friday’s win evens the series.
Johnson piggybacked off a stellar start from Wil Crowe, who pitched into the eighth inning. He gave up just one run on six hits, striking out three. He didn’t walk a batter. He picks up his fourth win of the season and improves to 4-3.
The Gamecocks, who didn’t score a run in Thursday’s 1-0 loss, started quick against Gator starter Brady Singer.
After TJ Hopkins was hit by a pitch to leadoff the game, Carlos Cortes crushed a one-out, two-run homer to right field, slicing around the foul pole.
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It was the first home run given up by Singer all season. Singer was pulled in the sixth inning after giving up three runs on six hits. It was the first career start where he gave up over two earned runs.
The Gamecocks (24-14, 9-8 SEC) would tack on another in the sixth with a Jacob Olson RBI double and in the seventh on a RBI groundout from Chris Cullen.
It’s just the Gamecocks third win in nine SEC games. They’ll try and win their first SEC series since March 26 when they took two games against Alabama.
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Pivotal Play: With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, Tyler Johnson didn’t allow a run, sitting down the next three Gator hitters. It kept the game a three runs and the momentum firmly planted in the Gamecocks dugout heading to the ninth inning.
Player of the Game: Carlos Cortes continues his dominant stretch, going 2-for-5 with a run and two RBIs. He started the game fast with a two-run bomb in the first inning to give the Gamecocks an early lead.
Up Next: The Gamecocks finish their three-game series with Florida Saturday at noon. Adam Hill will start on the mound and the game will be televised on ESPN 2.
