FINAL: Gamecocks Dominate No. 3 Vanderbilt Commodores In 10-2 Game 3 Win To Secure Series Sweep

Andrew Lyon | Mar 24, 2024

Gamecocks utility Chris Veach (37) pitches against the Gators in Game 2 of the NCAA Super Regionals, / Cyndi Chambers / USA TODAY NETWORK

After sweeping a doubleheader in convincing fashion on Saturday, South Carolina's baseball team came into their Sunday matchup against No. 3 Vanderbilt looking to clinch their first conference sweep since they accomplished the feat against the Florida Gators on April 22nd last season. Mark Kingston's squad not only won but did so with such relative ease that it probably surprised the Gamecock fans who were in Founders Park.

Carolina's offense didn't wait long to break things open, as they would score six runs in the first inning, two via a shallow to centerfield single from Ethan Petry, two via an error from Commodore left fielder Troy LaNeve, and two via a rocket over the right field wall from former 'Vandy Boy' Gavin Casas. The Gamecocks' batting lineup would another run in both the second and third innings via a solo home run from Kennedy Jones and an RBI single from Dylan Brewer, respectively.

On the mound, Kingston and pitching coach Matt Williams elected to go with freshman right-hander Tyler Pitzer, with his start against the Commodores being the first of his young college career, and he sure didn't disappoint, Through six and one-third innings of work, the Pennslyvania native gave up just three hits and one earned run while striking out nine Vanderbilt batters in the process. The key to Tyler's outing was him getting ahead in the count and relying on the command of his fastball while pairing with a nasty sweeper, keeping the Commodore hitters off-balance throughout the day.

After allowing a couple of baserunners in the top of the seventh inning, Pitzer would hand the ball to left-hander Matthew Becker, who would only allow one run (attached to Tyler's stat line) and would effectively stymie the one-hitting rally that Vanderbilt would put together. The win gives the Gamecocks a 4-2 conference record ahead of what will be another challenging road series this weekend against the Alabama Crimson Tide, who will come in motivated after having been swept by the Georgia Bulldogs.

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