Recap: Gamecocks cruise past UNCG, 7-1, in season opener
South Carolina hosted UNC Greensboro late Friday afternoon at Founders Park in the 2017 season opener How did the Gamecocks fare?
FINAL: South Carolina 7, UNCG 1
LINESCORE
NCG (0-1) – 000 100 000 = 1-4-0
USC (1-0) – 200 410 00x = 7-11-0
WP – Clarke Schmidt (1-0)
LP – Jack Maynard (0-1)
SV – None
HR – UNCG, Dillon Stewart (4th, none on)
RBI – Alex Destino (2), T.J. Hopkins (2),
LOB – USC 8, UNCG 3
A – 8,242 (Sellout)
Time – 2:36
Gamecock Pitchers: Clarke Schmidt (6.2 IP, 81 pitches, 3 hits, 1 run, 3 K, 2 BB), Colie Bowers ()
HIGHLIGHTS
-- After Clarke Schmidt worked around a two-out walk in the top of the first, the Gameoccks struck quickly in the bottom half when T.J. Hopkins led off with a double into the right field corner, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Alex Destino’s sharp single to right. Destino advanced to third on a wild pitch and groundout before scoring on UNCG starter Jack Maynard’s third wild pitch of the inning.
-- The Gamecocks had a golden opportunity to expand its 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third when they had runners at second and third with one out following a pair of singles and sacrifice bunt. But Destino fanned for the second out. Cullen walked to load the bases with two outs, but Maynard gloved Stokes’ hard comebacker to the mound and flipped to first for the final out.
-- UNCG got on the board in the top of the fourth with a leadoff solo homer by Dillon Stewart into the left field stands. But the Gamecocks got that run back quickly in the bottom of the fourth when a walk, single and botched sacrifice bunt left runners at first and second with one out. Danny Blair drive in one run with a RBI single to give USC a 3-1 lead. Following a pitching change, Hopkins greeted the UNCG reliever with a two-run double into RCF, making him 3-for-3 on the afternoon. Two batters later, Destino doubled to right-center to plate another run.
-- After Schmidt set down UNCG easily in order in the top of the fifth, he had thrown just 60 pitches, allowing him to pitch at least one more inning until he reached his predetermined pitch count.
-- USC added another run for a 7-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth when Matt Williams singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
-- Chad Holbrook said Thursday that Schmidt would likely throw about 80-85 pitches in his season debut. Sure enough, USC pitching co0ach Jerry Meyers trotted out of the dugout when Schmidt reached the 81-pitch mark upon recording the second out in the top of the seventh.
-- Senior RHP Colie Bowers took over the pitching chores and was impressive, fanning all four batters he faced through the top of the eighth. Twelve of his first 16 pitches were strikes. Bowers gave up a single to start the top of the ninth, but the runner was quickly erased on a double play. A groundout to short ended the game.
HOW THE RUNS SCORED:
USC 1st - Hopkins doubled to right, Bride grounded to short, Hopkins advanced to third on a wild pitch, Destino singled to right (RBI), Destino advanced to second on wild pitch, Cullen grounded to second, Destino advanced to third, Destino scored on wild pitch, Stokes flied out to right. TWO RUNS, TWO HITS (USC 2-0)
UNCG 4th – Stewart homered to left (RBI), Goss flied to center, Sigmon grounded to short, Underwood struckout. ONE RUN, ONE HIT (2-1).
USC 4th - Williams walked, Olson singled to pitcher, Tolbert reached on fielder's choice bunt (Williams thrown out 2-5), Blair singled to right (RBI), <Wantz for Maynard>, Blair stole second, Hopkins doubled to right (2 RBI), Bride flied to right, Destino doubled to right-center (RBI), Cullen struck out swinging. 4 RUNS, 4 HITS (USC 6-1).
USC 5th - <Kerner for Wantz>, Stokes flied to center, Williams singled to right, Olson hit by pitch, Tolbert flied to right, Olson stole second, Williams scored on wild pitch, Blair lined to short. 1 RUN, 1 HIT (USC 7-1).
