COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of South Carolina baseball team plated eight runs in the final three innings of play as the Gamecocks defeated Missouri, 9-4, Sunday afternoon (May 5) at Taylor Stadium. The Gamecocks picked up a series win for the first time in Missouri since 2013.
Carolina scored the first run on a strikeout-wild pitch in the second, but Missouri responded with four runs in the bottom of the second, two off a Danny Corona home run. Austin Brinling saved a grand slam with a catch over the wall at center to keep it at 4-1.
The score remained at 4-1 until the seventh. Dalton Reeves started the inning with a single home run to right. Ethan Petry then tied it with a two-run home run to straightaway center field. In the eighth, Reeves reached on a bunt single that Blake Jackson scored on a throwing error. Gavin Casas singled home Kennedy Jones to make it 6-4 and Austin Brinling’s sacrifice fly to left gave the Gamecocks a 7-4 lead.
Cole Messina homered to lead off the ninth. Carolina added insurance with a Talmadge LeCroy RBI single.
Connor McCreery earned the win in relief, striking out four in 2.2 innings. Chris Veach picked up his third save with a pair of punchouts in 1.1 innings. Garrett Gainey had five strikeouts in his 3.2 inning performance. The Gamecock staff allowed just four hits in the win.
POSTGAME NOTES
- The Gamecocks are now 13-11 in SEC play this season, tied with Georgia for third in the East.
- Messina was 7-for-11 with four runs scored, two doubles, a triple, two home runs and seven RBI on the weekend.
- Petry now has 41 career home runs, which is tied for ninth on Carolina’s career home run list.
UP NEXT
Carolina visits Rock Hill, SC, for a Tuesday night (May 7) tilt with Winthrop. First pitch is set for 6 pm at Winthrop Ballpark.
