The South Carolina baseball team won a pair of midweek games this week thanks to timely hitting against the Davidson Wildcats (4-7) at Ray Tanner Field at Founders Park on Tuesday night and The Citadel (7-5) at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Wednesday night.
The Gamecocks (11-3) hit 18 home runs in the two games to bounce back and snap a three-game losing streak.
Here's a recap of both games:
Gamecocks utilize big sixth inning in win over Davidson
On Tuesday night, South Carolina defeated the Davidson Wildcats 9-3 to get back in the winning column after being swept by Clemson.
"We just knew that whatever happened this weekend is behind us," junior outfielder Nathan Hall said. "Honestly, I don't think we played too well today. And the fact that we were still able to pull out a pretty decent win against a a good Davidson team it was a positive for sure."
Davidson would strike first, as senior infielder Jack Cotrone hit a three-run homer to put the Wildcats up 3-0 in the second inning.
South Carolina would score its first run in the third inning when junior infielder Henry Kaczmar hit his first of the season home run to right field, however it was the only run scored in the inning.
“It was great to see Henry Kaczmar swing the bat well,” head coach Paul Maineri said. “I just happy to see him swing the bat with some aggressiveness. Got two hits, two walks, so he's on base four times.”
For three straight innings the Gamecocks would load the bases, and experienced varying results across the innings.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Gamecocks would load the bases with two outs after junior outfielder Ethan Petry was hit by a pitch and Kaczmar and junior fielder Jase Woita drew walks.
However, they would be unable to capitalize on the situation with sophomore Nolan Nawrocki striking out to end the inning.
Just an inning later, South Carolina would load the bases with zero outs. Kaczmar would draw his second straight walk to send junior infielder Beau Hollins home.
Hall would then hit a two RBI double with Petry following it up with a RBI single of his own. Redshirt senior Blake Jackson would score the final run of the inning after Woita hit a sacrifice RBI, putting South Carolina up 6-3 heading into the seventh.
In the seventh, the Gamecocks would load the bases with one out but were only able to produce one run after Woita was hit by a pitch to push freshman catcher Gavin Braland home.
Defensively, South Carolina used five pitchers against Davidson with freshman Ryder Garino getting his first career start and pitching for three innings, giving up two hits and accumulating two strikeouts. In total, Gamecock pitchers struck out 13 batters.
Offense powers Gamecocks against The Citadel
South Carolina defeated The Citadel 9-1 on Wednesday night at Joe Riley Park for its second road win of the season.
The Gamecocks recorded 13 hits, including five doubles and a pair of home runs. Junior pitcher Jarvis Evans Jr. made his second start of the season, holding the Bulldogs to 2 runs on three hits.
"I thought that was the best, most complete game we've played all year, really just about in every phase," Mainieri said. "Obviously, Petry gave us a lift right from the get-go. Jarvis Evans was in complete command the whole day.
South Carolina took advantage of a mistake by the Bulldogs in the first inning when senior outfielder Evan Stone reached on an error. Petry then blasted a two-run home run, his fourth of the season, giving the Gamecocks a 2-0 lead. Both teams added a run in the third inning. Stone opened the frame with a solo home run, his first of the season. The Bulldogs responded when redshirt sophomore catcher Noah Cadiz hit a triple, followed by a sacrifice fly from junior utility player T.J. Anderson that scored a run.
South Carolina's lead grew to 4 runs in the fourth behind three hits. Hollins opened the inning with a single. Kaczmar later hit an RBI-triple, followed by a single from Hall that scored a run. Evans earned his second win of the season on Wednesday, totaling six strikeouts and two walks. Evans was relieved by three pitchers, including redshirt junior pitcher Roman Kimball, who also added a strikeout.
"It felt great," Evans said. "Felt healthy, arm felt good, all my pitches felt good. Just went and attacked the zone the whole night."
Hollins hit a double in the seventh and scored after an RBI-groundout from Kaczmar. Back-to-back doubles from Stone and Petry later in the inning each brought home a run. The Bulldogs got a pair of baserunners after a single and a walk with two outs, but the threat was ended when Kaczmar made a diving stop to retire junior catcher Phillips Daniels in the eighth inning. Senior infielder Jordan Carrion scored the final run for the Gamecocks when he hit an RBI-groundout.
Petry finished 3-5 with 3 RBIs. Stone finished 2-5 with a double, while Hollins also went 3-5.
"Some of these guys I give a chance to, they act like they want to play," Mainieri said. "Beau Hollins gets out there and he's played great two games in a row. Braland's played great. Jordan Carrion does all the things that you need a guy to do."
What's next?
South Carolina returns home this weekend for a three-game series against Morehead State (6-5). First pitch on Friday is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed on SEC Network+.