South Carolina awaits winner of Clemson-Coastal Carolina
Give South Carolina and Clemson credit.
They know how to give the fans their money's worth.
After playing a 3-2, extra-inning contest in Charleston exactly three months ago, the Gamecocks and the Tigers made the early season battle look almost boring as USC edged Clemson 5-4 in a heart-stopping 12-inning affair in front of an overflowing crowd at Carolina Stadium.
Starting pitcher Michael Roth escaped early trouble in the third innings, as Clemson loaded the bases with no outs. The Gamecock infield turned a double play that appeared to score a run for the Tigers, but a Clemson baserunner was called for interfering with second baseman Chase Vergason, wiping out the run. Roth then got a fly out to end the Tiger threat. Head coach Ray Tanner said the unusual call for a big break for his team.
"I didn't ask for an explanation," Tanner said. "It went in our favor, so I just took it and moved on."
Tanner also was grateful to have Roth on the mound, despite his struggles at times. The senior walked four batters and gave up three run in 6.1 innings.
"Even if it's not a good day for [Michael], you're going to have a chance," Tanner said after the game. "He battled for us and kept us alive."
South Carolina took an early lead in the fourth inning, as Adam Matthews belted a two-run, two-out homer to put the Gamecocks on top. Clemson rallied back with three runs in the seventh inning, and then pushed their lead to 4-2 with a Brad Felder solo shot to right field.
USC cut the Tiger lead to 4-3 on an eighth inning RBI double from Christian Walker. South Carolina put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning and Joey Pankake's single scored the tying run. But Vergason was thrown out at home plate, and USC fans settled in for yet another Gamecock postseason thriller.
South Carolina and Clemson both failed to score until the 12th inning. After holding the Tigers scoreless in the top of the frame, the Gamecocks put runners on first and third with one out. LB Dantzler drove home the game-winning run by blasting a single to the right field wall, scoring Joey Pankake and setting off a wild celebration for the Gamecock faithful.
Dantzler, playing in his first postseason as a Gamecock, said the atmosphere in the stadium was beyond what he even imagined.
"There were a few times before the game where I just had to step back and take it in and enjoy it. It was awesome."
With the win, the Gamecocks put themselves one win away from advancing to the Super Regionals. South Carolina will play Sunday at 4 p.m. against the winner the Clemson-Coastal Carolina game, which will start at noon. Freshman Jordan Montgomery is expected to get the start for the Gamecocks.
Despite having already played Clemson four times this season, centerfielder Evan Marzilli says the team doesn't care who their opponent will be.
"No matter what team we play, we're going to play them hard," Marzilli said. "We're just going to wait and see what happens."