Georgia Southern secured a commanding 8-0 victory over the University of South Carolina baseball team on Wednesday night at Founders Park. The Eagles dominated the game, hitting three home runs and limiting the Gamecocks to just four hits.
The turning point came in the second inning when Georgia Southern scored five runs, including a grand slam from Sam Blancato. Blancato continued his stellar performance with a solo home run in the fourth, extending the lead to 6-0. The Eagles added two more runs in the ninth inning to seal their comprehensive win.
Despite a strong pitching effort from Carolina’s staff, which recorded 17 strikeouts, the Gamecocks were unable to contain Georgia Southern’s offensive prowess. Dylan Eskew contributed four strikeouts, but Eddie Copper’s early exit due to injury dealt a blow to the team’s defensive capabilities.
Notable offensive efforts from Kennedy Jones and Cole Messina, who both doubled during the game, were overshadowed by the Gamecocks’ first shutout of the season.
Postgame notes highlighted Petry’s impressive record of reaching base in the last 39 games, dating back to the previous season. Additionally, Connor McCreery and Parker Marlatt showcased their pitching prowess, retiring the Eagles in order with a pair of strikeouts each.
The upcoming challenge for Carolina will be a three-game SEC series against No. 3 Texas A&M, commencing on Friday, April 5, with a 7 p.m. first pitch. Fans can catch the game via streaming on SEC Network Plus.
As the Gamecocks regroup for their next fixture, the team aims to bounce back from the defeat and deliver a strong performance against Texas A&M. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey through the SEC series.
