COLUMBIA, S.C. — The #6 South Carolina baseball team scored five runs in both the sixth and seventh innings on the way to a 13-3 win in seven innings over third-ranked Florida in the opening game of the three-game series at Founders Park.
Michael Braswell led the Carolina offense with three doubles and two runs scored while Ethan Petry was 3-for-5 with three RBI. Cole Messina had two hits and two RBI as the Gamecocks improved to 32-6 on the year and 11-4 in conference play.
Will Sanders pitched six innings in earning his fourth win. He struck out a season high 10 batters, allowing three hits and two earned runs. James Hicks pitched the scoreless seventh in the victory.
The two teams traded runs in each of the first two innings. Petry homered in the first and Carson Hornung brought in a run in the second on a groundout. Carolina sent 10 men to the plate in the sixth, using five walks and a Petry two-run single.
A throwing error plated a pair of runs in the seventh and Messina ended the game with a two-run double to center.
Game two of the series is Friday night at 7:00 p.m.