No. 8 South Carolina (12-3) did just enough to survive and complete the sweep of Miami (Ohio) (2-8), winning 5-3 on Sunday. Junior Vince Fiori earned his second win of the season after 3 1/3 innings of relief.
Freshman success
Freshman right-hander Clarke Schmidt got his first career start on the mound. The pitcher from Acworth, Georgia went 4.2 innings — one out short of the requirement to get the win — giving up just two hits and two unearned runs.
Schmidt has been used mainly out of the bullpen this year, but his strong start may usher him into the role on Sunday games that head coach Chad Holbrook has been looking for.
Schmidt’s ERA was lowered to 2.35.
Small-ball
The Gamecocks scored five runs on just four hits — none that resulted in RBIs. In the fifth inning, Miami pitchers walked five straight batters to bring in the first two runs before a wild pitch scored he third.
In the sixth inning, the Gamecocks scored runs on a balk and a Kyle Martin sacrifice fly.
Pitching heating up
South Carolina pitchers went 3-0 with 11 hits, no earned runs, and 25 strikeouts against Miami. Sophomore Taylor Widener recorded his fourth and fifth saves Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Holbrook has not yet named a starter for Tuesday’s contest against Penn State, though sophomore righty Matthew Vogel has impressed in his two midweek starts thus far.
Up next
South Carolina will face 0-8 Penn State in a two-game midweek series beginning Tuesday. The Gamecocks will then welcome the Kentucky Wildcats to town on Friday in the SEC opener.