Power Surge: Tolbert, Mooney lead Gamecocks

South Carolina continued to pad their non-conference record with a 12-6 win over South Carolina Upstate.

The Gamecocks have relied heavily on the heart of their order for power production this season — John Jones, Dom Thompson-Williams and Alex Destino had accounted for 12 of the team's 14 home runs prior to Tuesday's game. Against South Carolina Upstate however, both shortstop Marcus Mooney and second baseman L.T. Tolbert contributed with their first home runs of the season.

Starter Taylor Widener labored in his 3.1 innings of work, allowing three runs, two of which were earned, and four hits. The Spartans held a 3-2 lead as late as the top of the fifth inning.

The Gamecocks knocked Upstate's starter Jordan Miller out of the game in the first inning, but reliever Tyler Jackson worked five innings in mop-up duty. The sophomore right-hander held South Carolina at bay in their first turn through the order against him, but eventually the Gamecocks broke out for seven runs off of him.

Every Gamecock starter but one recorded at least one hit in the game. Five Gamecocks had multi-hit performances.

South Carolina will return home Wednesday to host Davidson at 7 p.m.