Recap: Gamecocks edge Wright State, 4-3, in series opener

With two losses in their last three games, South Carolina looked to get back on track Friday night in Game 1 of a 3-game series against Wright State, which surprised Clemson last weekend in the Upstate. How did the Gamecocks fare?

FINAL: South Carolina 4, Wright State 3.

LINESCORE

WSU (2-2) - 000 030 000 = 3-5-0

USC (4-2) – 200 100 10x = 4-8-2

WP – Colie Bowers (2-0)

LP – Jason Foster (1-1)

SV – Tyler Johnson (2)

HR – USC, Madison Stokes (Bottom 4th, none on)

RBI – Matt Williams (2), Madison Stokes, Alex Destino

LOB – USC 6, WSU 10

A – 7,106

Time – 2:46

Gamecock Pitchers: Clarke Schmidt (6.1 IP), Colie Bowers (1.0), Josh Reagan (0.2), Tyler Johnson (1.0).

HIGHLIGHTS

-- Clarke Schmidt began his second start of the season on a positive note by recording two strikeouts in each of the first four innings. Wright State got a pair of runners to second base during that stretch, but didn’t seriously threaten to score as Schmidt kept the Raiders off balance at the plate.

-- The Gamecocks jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after just four batters in the bottom of the first when consecutive singles and a wild pitch put two runners into scoring position for cleanup Matt Williams, who singled home both runners.

-- With Schmidt effectively handling the Wright State batters, USC expanded the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth when Madison Stokes lofted a one-out solo homer into the left field stands. It was his first homer of the season and his second RBI.

-- However, Stokes made a defensive miscue that opened the door for Wright State in the top of the fifth. With one out, he dropped an easy popup near the mound that would have been the second out of the inning. Instead, the Raiders had one on and one out. A single put two runners on and both advanced into scoring position on a groundout. Suddenly, Schmidt lost his control with a wild pitch, hit by pitch, infield single and consecutive hit by pitches before finally ending the inning on a strikeout.

-- Schmidt tied his career high with his 11th strikeout in the top of the seventh before being lifted for Colie Bowers with one out shortly after throwing his 100th pitch. Bowers faced WSU runners at first and third with one out when he took the mound. He got a foul pop and strikeout, walking off the mound with a fist pump as the crowd roared.

-- Alex Destino picked a good time for his 9th RBI of the season as he delivered a clutch, two-out RBI double to left-center in the bottom of the seventh to give the Gamecocks a 4-3 lead.

-- LHP Josh Reagan replaced Bowers with one out in the top of the eighth. He gave up a two-out single and nearly picked off the runner at first. He ended the inning with a strikeout to preserve USC’s slim 1-run lead.

-- Pitching coach Jerry Meyers made the call to fireballer Tyler Johnson at the start of the top of the ninth. He didn’t disappoint as he struckout the side in quick order for the win.

HOW THE RUNS SCORED:

USC 1st - Blair grounded to short, Hopkins singled to center, Destino singled up the middle, Destino advanced to second and Hopkins advanced to third on wild pitch, Williams singled to center (2 RBI), Hogan flied to right, Stokes flied to right. 2 RUNS, 3 HITS (USC 2-0).

USC 4th - Hogan grounded to short, Stokes homered to left (RBI), Tolbert grounded to second, Cullen flied to left-center. 1 RUN, 1 HIT (USC 3-0).

WSU 5th – Gray flied center, Giltrow reached on a dropped popup (E6), Morrow singled up the middle, Weatherford grounded to second (both runners advance), Giltrow scored on a wild pitch, Orr hit by pitch,

Snyder singled to third base (RBI), Alders hit by pitch, Marquez hit by pitch (RBI), Whatley struck out looking. 3 RUNS, 2 HITS (TIED 3-3).

USC 7th - Bride grounded to first, Blair walked, Blair caught stealing (2-5), Hopkins walked, Destino doubled to left-center (RBI), Williams grounded to second. 1 RUN, 1 HIT (USC 4-3).