A three-run fifth inning led 35th-ranked College of Charleston to a 6-3 win against No. 11 South Carolina on Opening Day at Carolina Stadium. The Cougars outhit the Gamecocks 14-4 on the way to the win. Both teams are back in action in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.
The Gamecocks and the Cougars traded runs early in the game. Both teams loaded the bases early, Connor Bright walked to score Gene Cone for South Carolina in the bottom of the first and Morgan Phillips scored on Alex Pastorius' RBI groundout for College of Charleston in the top of the second.
The Cougars broke ahead 4-1 as they pushed across three runs in the top of the fifth. Pastorius opened the frame with a single to left and scored on Blake Butler's base hit to right. Carl Wise brought home Ryan Brown with a sacrifice fly and Phillips followed with the Cougars' fourth hit of the inning to score Butler.
College of Charleston added runs in the seven and eighth to increase the advantage to five runs.
The Gamecocks attempted a rally in the bottom of the eighth, but were only able to record two more runs. Jordan Gore led off with a base hit and Max Schrock and Gene Cone each walked to load the bases with no outs. A Kyle Martin sacrifice fly scored Gore and Max Schrock scored on Alex Destino's RBI single to center.
College of Charleston starter Taylor Clarke earned the win after hurling six innings and allowing just one run on two hits with four walks and five strikeouts. Gamecock left-hander Jack Wynkoop suffered the loss for South Carolina after giving up four runs, all earned, on eight hits, with one walk and striking out two batters in five innings of work.
