No. 17 South Carolina Surges Past Vanderbilt, 8-3, to Sweep Series

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Vanderbilt built a 3-0 lead but South Carolina scored eight times in the final four innings to rally for an 8-3 win, Sunday, March 30, at Sarge Frye Field. The win gives the Gamecocks a sweep of the three-game series and improves their record to 19-9, 4-5 in the Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt loses its fifth consecutive league game to slip to 13-13 overall and 2-7 in the SEC.

USC starting left-hander David Marchbanks pitched a complete game in the win. He scattered seven hits, three runs (one earned) and one walk while striking out seven. Vanderbilt starting left-hander Ryan Mullins (1-4) took the loss. He struck out a season-high eight batters but allowed seven hits, five runs (one earned) and two walks in six innings.

South Carolina rallied from a three-run deficit to score four times in the fifth. Steven Tollenson coaxed a bases-loaded walk and Brian Buscher followed with a bases-clearing double to left field to give the Gamecocks a 4-3 lead.

South Carolina extended its lead to 5-3 in the sixth when Jon Coutlangus grounded out to second base, plating Matt Riddle from third.

The Gamecock advantage grew to 7-3 in the seventh when Justin Harris pushed a bases-loaded bunt single into the hole between the pitcher’s mound and first base to bring home Tolleson. Kevin Melillo followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to score Buscher.

Bryan Triplett completed the run when his one-out solo home run to left-center field gave the Gamecocks an 8-3 lead.

Vanderbilt took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when John Kaye scored from third base on a throwing error by USC third baseman Buscher. Jonathan Douillard hit a sharp grounder to Buscher at third base but Buscher’s throw home short hopped the plate and allowed Kaye to score. Zach Simpson followed with a sacrifice fly to center field that brought home Worth Scott.

Three innings later the Commodores increased their lead to 3-0 in the fifth when Ryan Klosterman doubled down the left-field line and scored on a RBI single to center field by Matt Zeller.

Vanderbilt plays its next four games at home. The Commodores take on Western Kentucky Tuesday, April 1, at 7 p.m. before playing host to nationally ranked Florida in a three-game SEC series beginning Friday at 7 p.m.

-VU-