Gamecock Homers Past RU

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina hit three home runs, including a first-inning grand slam to defeat Radford 7-4 Sunday afternoon at Sarge Frye Field. (Box Score)

The seventh-ranked Gamecocks improved to 6-0 on the season while Radford dropped to 1-5.

The Gamecocks had to battle back from a three-run first inning deficit when starting pitcher Forrest Beverly lasted only two thirds of an inning. Andrew Cruse relieved for 5 1/3 innings and earned his first career victory. He allowed four hits, one earned run, walked two and struck out two. Conor Lalor pitched the final three innings to earn his first save. He retired nine batters, five of them by strikeouts.

Mark Fleisher started and pitched six innings for Radford to take the loss and even his record at 1-1. He gave up four runs on seven hits and struck out three South Carolina batters.

Steve Mignona, Jesse Ross, John Vellines and Andy Raft singled and Nate Toth was hit by a pitch in the top of the first, chasing Beverly after just two outs. Alan Ashworth greeted Cruse with a bases loaded hit that drove in two runs but South Carolina center fielder Michael Campbell threw Toth out attempting to advance to third to end the inning.

South Carolina quickly struck back in the bottom of the first, taking a 4-3 lead on Brendan Winn’s grand slam. Fleisher walked Davy Gregg, Campbell and Jon Willard to load the bases and with two outs and a three balls and two strikes count Winn hit a long drive over the left center field fence.

Radford tied the score at 4-4 in the third inning. Ross legged out a triple when Winn slipped and fell. Fleisher hit a RBI ground out to short, scoring Ross.

After Campbell was hit by a pitch with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning Steve Tolleson hit his first home run of the season to put South Carolina up 6-4. Winn closed out the scoring with a solo homer in the sixth inning, his third homer of the year and second of the game.

Radford outhit the Gamecocks 8-5 five coming in the first inning. Winn’s grand slam was the only Gamecock hit in the four run first inning.

South Carolina's next action is a three game series with Niagara beginning Friday at Sarge Frye Field.