Coutlangus’ Walk-Off Grand Slam Pushes South Carolina Past Vanderbilt, 11-7 in 10 Innings 3/29/03

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Jon Coutlangus’ 10th-inning walk-off grand slam to right field completed an eight-run late-game rally as South Carolina surged part Vanderbilt 11-7, Saturday, March 29 at Sarge Frye Field.

The Gamecocks (18-9, 3-5 Southeastern Conference) trailed 7-3 entering the bottom of the eight inning but three home runs pushed South Carolina past Vanderbilt, which slipped to 13-12 overall and 2-6 in the league.

Justin Harris, who went 4-for-5 with three RBI, pulled the Gamecocks to within 7-6 in the eighth when he smashed a two-out three-run long ball over the left-field wall. Harris also recorded three singles.

Steven Tolleson tied the score at 8-8 in the ninth inning with a lead-off home run to left field.

South Carolina’s first three batters reached base in the 10th inning before Coutlangus supplied the game-winning home run. Trey McDaniels led off the inning with a walk off Vanderbilt reliever Jensen Lewis (2-4). Kevin Melillo and Harris followed with successive bunt singles between the pitcher’s mound and first base to load the bases. Coutlangus stepped to the plate and took the first pitch over the right-field wall to end the game.

Gamecock reliever Chris Hernandez (2-1) earned the win.

The loss overshadowed one Vanderbilt’s most productive offensive outing this season. Every Vanderbilt starter registered at least one hit as the Commodores tallied 14 hits, tying for the second-most by Vanderbilt in a game this season.
Cesar Nicolas led all Commodore hitters, going 3-for-5 with two RBI. Nicolas’ RBI single in the second inning gave Vanderbilt a 3-0 lead. He later hit a solo home run to left-center field in the eighth inning to put VU ahead 7-3.

John Kaye, Matt Zeller and Jonathan Douillard each posted a pair of hits on the night. Kaye and Worth Scott recorded two RBI apiece.

Vanderbilt owned a pair of three-run leads in the game. The Commodores scored the first three runs of the game. Kaye’s single through the middle of the infield scored Zeller in the first inning to give VU a 1-0 lead. Ryan Klosterman and Nicolas recorded RBI singles in the second inning to help the Commodores to a 3-0 lead after the second inning.

After South Carolina tied the score at 3-3 in the third inning, Vanderbilt jumped ahead 6-3 in the sixth on sacrifice fly by Kaye and a two-RBI double to deep center field by Scott.

That set the stage for the Gamecock rally.

Vanderbilt starter Robert Ransom pitched effectively for six innings. The right-hander scattered five hits, three runs (two earned) and two walks while striking out five in a no-decision effort.

The Commodores look to salvage the series finale Sunday at 1:30 p.m.