Wynkoop earns win in 1st start, Webb records 3rd save of season
The Gamecocks were holding a comfortable five-run lead over the Furman Paladins when sophomore Joel Seddon took the mound to pitch the ninth inning.
Seddon gave up three straight singles and was replaced by senior Tyler Webb, who came on with one run in and two men on base.
But the closer shut down Furman’s comeback attempt, although he allowed one more run. Webb earned his third save of the season to give the Gamecocks (6-1) a 5-2 win Tuesday afternoon.
“We got lucky in the ninth inning,” coach Chad Holbrook said.
The first hitter Webb faced, Furman’s Griffin Davis, hit what would have been a double into right field. But he stumbled on his way to second base after apparently pulling a hamstring, and right fielder TJ Costen threw him out. After that, Webb struck out the next two batters.
South Carolina starter Jack Wynkoop earned his first career win after pitching 5.1 scoreless innings. The freshman allowed two hits to start the sixth inning, and a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third base with one out. Wynkoop was pulled for sophomore Evan Beal, who ended the threat with a strikeout and a flyout.
Wynkoop made one previous appearance this season, walking the only hitter he faced in South Carolina’s series against Liberty. But Tuesday, he threw 39 of 55 pitches for strikes. Holbrook said he pulled Wynkoop because he knew his bullpen was well-rested and he did not want to overextend him because he may pitch against Clemson this weekend.
The starter benefited from strong defensive play by the Gamecocks in the top of the third inning, when left fielder Graham Saiko threw out Furman’s Jordan Simpson when he tried to score from second base on a single. But in four of the first five innings, Wynkoop retired three straight hitters.
The freshman was in the mix for a weekend starting spot during the preseason. Holbrook said he has been impressed by improvement in Wynkoop’s velocity, which has increased from 82 or 83 miles per hour when he was being recruited to nearly 90 now. The coach also praised his maturity and composure.
“He doesn’t carry himself like a freshman,” Holbrook said. “He doesn’t carry himself like a teenager. He carries himself like an upperclassman.”
After working out of the sixth-inning jam, Beal did not allow a baserunner in the seventh and eighth. Holbrook said he was really pleased with the way Beal threw, particularly after a challenging fall season.
“I was just thinking too much, pressing and trying to reach outside my limits a little,” Beal said. “I talked to Coach Holbrook about going out and slowing my thoughts down, trusting my stuff really, and [letting] my stuff do its thing. Try not to really pressure myself into any throwing outside my limits.”
The Gamecocks got on the board in the fifth inning. After they loaded the bases with one out, junior designated hitter Erik Payne hit into a fielder’s choice. But Furman’s third baseman misplayed the ball, allowing two runs to score. Sophomore catcher Grayson Greiner followed with an RBI single to bring the score to 3-0.
South Carolina added one run in the sixth inning and one in the seventh.
But even with the improvement in South Carolina’s offense, Holbrook said he knew if the Gamecocks did not pitch well, the Paladins could beat them.
“That’s the staple of our program. We try to pitch and play defense,” Holbrook said. ”That’s what we did today.”