South Carolina managed to sweep the weekend series against Charleston Southern after receiving three stellar outings from their starting pitchers. The trio of Clarke Schmidt, Braden Webb and Adam Hill combined for 18.1 scoreless innings in which they allowed a total of just 11 hits.
Friday: South Carolina 9, Charleston Southern 0
After being named SEC Pitcher of the Week on March 7,
sophomore Clarke Schmidt pitched seven and a third shutout innings on Friday night, striking out nine batters without allowing any walks. Schmidt extended his scoreless innings streak to 24.1 innings and lowered his season ERA to a minuscule 0.32.
Schmidt received plenty of support from his offense, including a four-RBI performance from junior outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams. Thompson-Williams doubled in the third inning and hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning.
Saturday: South Carolina 5, Charleston Southern 4
Despite an uninspiring game from the bullpen, South Carolina managed to hold on to an early lead to secure a series victory. Alex Destino hit his fourth home run of the season in the first inning, getting the green light to swing on a 3-0 count. Thompson-Williams also homered in the fourth for his second home run of the weekend.
After starter Braden Webb departed with a 5-0 lead in the sixth inning, Charleston Southern managed to do some damage off of South Carolina's relievers. The Gamecocks were forced to use three arms in the eighth inning to quell a three-run outburst from the Buccaneers.
Sunday: South Carolina 2, Charleston Southern 0
Charleston Southern held the Gamecocks to just six hits and two runs, but freshman Adam Hill's debut in the weekend rotation was strong enough for South Carolina to earn the series sweep. The right-hander struck out eight batters while yielding only one walk, and when the Buccaneers did put the ball in play they generally made weak contact.
Second baseman Matt Williams earned his first start of the season and made the most of his opportunity when he connected for a home run in the fourth inning.
Closer Josh Reagan worked two scoreless frames to notch his second save of the weekend and his sixth of the season.