Regional host South Carolina used a dominant pitching performance from freshman Wil Crowe Sunday afternoon to keep its postseason hopes alive in a 9-0 throttling of Campbell.
Crowe, who was making his first postseason start, pitched a complete game shutout, while only giving up four hits on the day. It took the freshman from Sevierville, Tennessee only 101 pitches to finish out the game.
“I knew that we needed a good outing and that I needed to go deep into the game, especially if we win, then we have a game tonight,” Crowe said. “So I went into it thinking that if I kept my pitch count down then I could help the team out for later.”
Crowe’s ability to pitch the entire game gives the Gamecocks a fresh, basically unused bullpen, which should prove beneficial as they take on Maryland tonight.
The Gamecocks received multi-hit games from four different players, including a perfect 2-for-2 day from sophomore Max Schrock who left the game in the top of the fourth. Schrock seemed to be in a bit of discomfort as he legged out a double and was replaced by freshman Jordan Gore.
Head coach Chad Holbrook said after the win that he didn’t know whether or not Schrock will be able to play against Maryland tonight. Holbrook called it a “flip of the coin.”
Schrock, who leads all players in the regional with seven hits, was a part of a four-run fourth inning that saw South Carolina chase starter Ryan Koopman.
Connor Bright initiated the scoring with an RBI double to left center, quickly followed by a Tanner English RBI single. Schrock’s double capped the scoring for the Gamecocks in that inning.
Crowe was a model of efficiency as the game progressed, never allowing a runner past second base.
“It was an incredible performance by Wil [Crowe],” Holbrook said. “He was as efficient as I’ve seen him since he’s been here—his command, fastball, breaking ball, change-up. He was in total control out there. It was a masterful performance by him to go nine innings.”
South Carolina will face Maryland tonight at 7 p.m., and must win tonight in order to force another game on Monday.
Holbrook mentioned that he will most likely wait until the last possible second to decide tonight’s starting pitcher.
With the Gamecocks using up Jordan Montgomery, Jack Wynkoop, Taylor Widener and Wil Crowe, possibilities for tonight’s game include Reed Scott and Curt Britt.