Gamecocks win thriller; Citadel pitchers toss gem; CSU outguns UNCA; Tigers, Cougars fall
Apr. 25—COLUMBIA — Ethan Lizama hit a first inning grand slam and Dawson Harman hit a pair of home runs as South Carolina defeated Kentucky 10-9 in a thriller at Founders Park. After allowing a run in the first, USC (21-22, 6-13 SEC) responded with a five-spot in the bottom of the first, capped by Lizama's slam after hits from Will Craddock, Tyler Bak and Talmadge LeCroy.
Kentucky came right back and scored four in the second to tie the game. Carolina took the lead for good in the bottom of the third on KJ Scobey's eighth home run of the season. Harman then went yard, making it 8-6 in the fifth.
Harman's second home run of the night in the seventh and LeCroy's RBI double in the eighth gave the Gamecocks insurance that they needed. Kentucky (26-14, 8-11) opened the ninth with a pair of walks, an RBI double and a hit by pitch. Parker Marlatt came in and induced a pop out.
An RBI fielder's choice made it 10-9 Gamecocks. After an error, Marlatt got Tyler Bell to fly out to end the game. Bak, LeCroy and Harman had two hits apiece while Lizama drove in four.
Cooper Parks earned the win on the mound, striking out three and allowing just one hit in 32/3 innings. Marlatt picked up his first save with the hitless ninth. The Citadel 2, UNC Greensboro 1 Headlined by a combined 14-strikeout performance by starter Will Holmes and closer Michael Gibson, The Citadel (20-21, 5-8 SoCon) staved off visiting UNCG (15-27, 2-11 SoCon) in the opening contest of a three-game weekend series, topping the Spartans in a pitcher's duel behind a final 2-1 decision Friday evening at Riley Park.