The South Carolina baseball team defeated North Florida 3-2 in 10 innings on Tuesday night at Founders Park with freshman infielder K.J. Scobey delivering a walk-off RBI-double to clinch the win for the Gamecocks.
"This was our first true walk-off win," head coach Paul Mainieri said. "You forget how exciting those are when you've been away from the game."
South Carolina took a 2-0 lead in the fifth on three hits. Freshman catcher Gavin Braland singled, and then junior outfielder Nathan Hall hit a two-run home run, his seventh of the season. The Gamecocks threatened again when redshirt senior outfielder Blake Jackson doubled and Petry was intentionally walked, but junior outfielder Jase Woita grounded out to end the inning.
North Florida made it a one-run game in the sixth after sophomore infielder Mitchell Collins singled and advanced to second base on a throwing error. Collins later scored when senior infielder Connor Moore hit an RBI-single.
The Ospreys tied the game in the eighth when senior utility player Brady Browning doubled and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Browning scored on freshman utility player Seth Alford's sacrifice fly, making it a 2-2 game.
Senior infielder Jordan Carrion doubled to start the tenth, and freshman infielder Beau Hollins was intentionally walked. Scobey then doubled into center field, scoring Carrion and winning the game.
"I was looking for a fastball right down the middle the whole at-bat," Scobey said. "I finally got it and put a good swing on it and was able to get it done."
Scobey's walk-off double was South Carolina's only hit with runners in scoring position against the Ospreys, as the Gamecocks went 1-12 on the night.
Freshmen infielders shine
South Carolina got strong contributions from three freshman infielders. Scobey finished 2-4 with a double and an RBI, while Hollins went 1-3 with two walks. Braland, who started for the Gamecocks behind the plate, finished 1-3.
"Throughout my coaching career, I've always had a lot of courage to play freshmen," Mainieri said. "I don't really care what year they are; I'm going to play the best guys, the guys that I think give us the best chance to win."
Scobey was mobbed by his teammates in the outfield after his double in the tenth.
"It was awesome," Scobey said. "They got mad at me for running so far, but I told them they were all chasing me, so I just took off."
Sweeney earns first win
The Gamecocks held North Florida to six hits on Tuesday while striking out eight. Four South Carolina pitchers appeared in the contest, including junior pitcher Brendan Sweeney, who earned his first win of the season in relief. Sweeney didn't give up a hit and struck out two in his only inning.
"I thought we pitched great all night, and it was a good victory for us," Mainieri said.
Soucie makes strong start
Junior pitcher Jackson Soucie made his fourth start of the season on Tuesday, giving up no runs on three hits in five innings. It was the second straight midweek start for Soucie, who didn't give up a run against The Citadel last week. Mainieri said he could appear for the Gamecocks this weekend.
"That's why I took him out after the fifth inning," Mainieri said. "His pitch count was still very manageable, but this way we can have him available for Sunday."
What's next?
South Carolina (24-18, 4-14 SEC) returns to conference play this weekend when it travels to Lexington, Kentucky for a weekend series against the Wildcats (23-15, 8-10 SEC). First pitch on Friday is set for 6:30 p.m., and all three games will be streamed on SEC Network+.