Gamecocks win thriller; Citadel pitchers toss gem; CSU outguns UNCA; Tigers, Cougars fall

Apr. 25—COLUMBIA — Ethan Lizama hit a first inning grand slam and Dawson Harman hit a pair of home runs as South Carolina defeated Kentucky 10-9 in a thriller at Founders Park.

After allowing a run in the first, USC (21-22, 6-13 SEC) responded with a five-spot in the bottom of the first, capped by Lizama's slam after hits from Will Craddock, Tyler Bak and Talmadge LeCroy. Kentucky came right back and scored four in the second to tie the game.

Carolina took the lead for good in the bottom of the third on KJ Scobey's eighth home run of the season. Harman then went yard, making it 8-6 in the fifth. Harman's second home run of the night in the seventh and LeCroy's RBI double in the eighth gave the Gamecocks insurance that they needed.

Kentucky (26-14, 8-11) opened the ninth with a pair of walks, an RBI double and a hit by pitch. Parker Marlatt came in and induced a pop out. An RBI fielder's choice made it 10-9 Gamecocks. After an error, Marlatt got Tyler Bell to fly out to end the game.

Bak, LeCroy and Harman had two hits apiece while Lizama drove in four.

Cooper Parks earned the win on the mound, striking out three and allowing just one hit in 32/3 innings. Marlatt picked up his first save with the hitless ninth.

The Citadel 2, UNC Greensboro 1

Headlined by a combined 14-strikeout performance by starter Will Holmes and closer Michael Gibson, The Citadel (20-21, 5-8 SoCon) staved off visiting UNCG (15-27, 2-11 SoCon) in the opening contest of a three-game weekend series, topping the Spartans in a pitcher's duel behind a final 2-1 decision Friday evening at Riley Park.

Gibson, who also served as the designated hitter, notched two hits for the Bulldogs (20-21, 5-8 Southern Conference), including a double, and scored the go-ahead run in the second frame. Christian Stratis contributed a infield knock and crossed home plate as well. Lane Tobin logged the lone RBI for The Citadel, bringing in Stratis on a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded.

On the mound, Holmes (3-4) tossed 62/3 innings en route to the victory, punching out nine while surrendering two hits, one run and three walks. Gibson took over for the final 21/3 innings, securing his fifth save of the season while allowing three hits with one walk and setting down five Spartans on strikes.

Noah Chapman (2-6) pitched a complete eight innings for the Spartans, giving up two earned runs on three hits with one walk while striking out nine as well.

Charleston Southern 12, UNC Asheville 2

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Titus Von Kapff held UNC Asheville in check and was backed by a 12-hit attack as Charleston Southern cruised to a 12-2 win.

Charleston Southern jumped out to an early 5-0 lead.

In the second and the fourth, UNC Asheville was able to scrap their runs across on an RBI single and a wild pitch. This brought their deficit down to 5-2

After this, the Buccaneers (23-17, 8-8 Big South) went on to tally the final seven runs. Collins had an RBI triple, Wright had an RBI groundout and Alex Marot had an RBI double in the sixth. In the seventh, Blake Edgmon had an RBI double of his own. In the eighth, Marot had an RBI off a fielder's choice while Nathan Martinez collected one on an RBI single. The scoring was capped off with Edgmon getting a solo home run to left center to push their advantage to double digits.