South Carolina pitching, late offense leads to ranked midweek win

South Carolina hasn’t had to rely heavily on its dominant pitching staff to keep it in most games this year but did early Tuesday night. 

The Gamecocks got exactly what they needed from a deep and insanely productive pitching staff. Five different players combined for the team’s fourth shutout in a 5-0 win over North Carolina in Charlotte. 

“When we needed to make a big pitch we did in a few innings,” Mark Kingston said. “We had to get out of some jams. But I think the guys really commanded the zone tonight and gave exactly what we needed.” 

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It started early with Matthew Becker scattering a pair of hits over three scoreless while striking out four batters followed by a dominant outing from Eli Jerzembeck. 

The South Carolina (27-3, 8-1 SEC) freshman struggled his last time in Charlotte, giving up five runs in 2.2 innings starting in his hometown. 

He responded with a great outing, striking out two while allowing three hits over three scoreless innings. The righty who grew up watching this rivalry game would toss one of his best performances against the No. 13 Tar Heels. 

“It wouldn’t say it was easy or difficult. I was ready for it, in a way. It’s been a game I grew up watching,” Jerzmebeck said. “I always wanted to compete in it and am happy to be on the South Carolina side of it. I was really more excited than anything and I was laser-focused but was really happy.” 

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And the Gamecocks needed all of that with an offense that struggled to do much of anything through the first six innings. They had just two hits, one of those a bunt single, and were anemic offensively through the middle innings. 

But that changed with two outs in the seventh after a Michael Braswell walk, one of six South Carolina had on the night. 

Jonathan French broke the tie four pitches later, lasering splitter off the left-field wall for the RBI double. It’s his second either game-tying or go-ahead hit this season. 

“When we prepare the way we do around here and the way coach Lee instills confidence in us all the time,” French said. “It’s easy to go up there with the utmost confidence in those big situations.”

The Gamecocks plated three more in the eighth thanks to two infield singles and a run-plating double play to put things away. 

Over the final two innings, South Carolina hit 5-for-8 with runners on while going 4-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

“We’re just gritty, man. We like to raise pitch counts,” French said. “That’s just the identity of this offense. We’re just a bunch of gnats out there.” 

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After that it was Eli Jones and Cade Austin slamming the door. They combined for two perfect innings to close the game. Jones struck out the side in the eighth, all against the top of the Tar Heel order.

The Gamecocks didn’t get caught looking ahead to No. 1 LSU coming to town this weekend. In return picked up a ranked win over an ACC opponent.

“That’s not how this team is made up,” Kingston said when talking about the Gamecocks not looking ahead. “This team loves to play and be together. Every opportunity they get a chance to be in that dugout and play ball they love to do that.” 

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Up next: South Carolina starts a much-anticipated series at home against No. 1 LSU Thursday night at 7 p.m. The Gamecocks haven’t officially announced a starter yet.

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