South Carolina men's baseball (7-1) defeated Appalachian State (2-5) with a score of 3-1 in their midweek matchup on Tuesday night.
App State bats did well at the beginning of the game with a lead-off single by second baseman Bailey Welch followed by an RBI double by designated hitter Luke Drumheller.
In his first start of the season, Gamecock sophomore John Gilreath earned the win with the help of the bullpen which struck out 11 batters. App State’s only run was scored in the first inning.
“We wanted to use guys in these midweek games and maybe sometimes on the weekends,” head coach Mark Kingston said in regards to throwing five pitchers. “We’re going to get guys in, get guys out, let them pitch to their max, and hand it off to the next guy.”
South Carolina didn't wait long to even the score. The team's first run of the game came in the second inning from a Jacob Olson solo-blast to left, which is his fourth of the season.
Freshman Brady Allen capitalized on his leadoff walk in the third inning by stealing second and moving into scoring position. Sophomore Luke Berryhill then put South Carolina in the lead with an RBI double.
Allen scored his second run of the game in the eight from a sac fly from senior TJ Hopkins. From there, freshman Brett Kerry closed out the game and earned his first save of the year.
Absent from the lineup was preseason All-America Second Team and preseason All-SEC First Team second baseman Noah Campbell. Senior catcher Chris Cullen also left the game after the second inning.
Kingston said after the game that both players were dealing with back pain but should both be ready for the weekend series.
South Carolina is set for Friday’s matchup at 6 p.m. in Death Valley against in-state rival Clemson.