COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina pitcher Arik Hempy struck out a career-high 10 Kentucky batters, as the No. 8 Gamecock?s exploded for five runs in the sixth inning to take the series opener from the Wildcats, 8-1 on Friday night in front of 4,637 fans at Sarge Frye Field.
Kentucky (33-14-1, 9-12-1 Southeastern Conference) starter Chris Rusin took the loss, falling to 4-3 on the year, pitching five innings, allowing 10 hits and six earned runs. Hempy notched the win, improving to 5-1 on the campaign. The USC southpaw worked six innings allowing one run and no earned runs.
South Carolina utilized a 4-for-5 day from infielder Travis Jones, including a double and a homer. The Gamecocks got 8-of-12 hits from the top four hitters in the lineup, including three runs from Jones.
USC (34-13, 12-10 SEC) struck first at its first opportunity, plating one run on three hits. Jones doubled to lead off the inning and moved over to third on a sacrifice fly. James Darnell followed with the second double of the game, a liner down the left line to make it 1-0 USC. A fielder?s choice allowed UK to get the second out of the inning at home plate, stifling a USC rally.
After one scoreless inning from Rusin, Jones struck again with his 14th homer of the season, a line-drive shot over the right-field fence.
Kentucky got on the board in the fourth, as Mike Brown led off with a spectacular double to right field. Sawyer Carroll followed with a walk and Brian Spear plated Brown with a hanging sacrifice fly to left field, making it 2-1 USC.
The Gamecocks answered the Wildcat run in their half of the fourth. After Rusin induced a ground out, Steven Reinhold reached on an infield single. After a single from shortstop Reese Havens, Jones drove in his second run of the day with a single to left field, stretching the Gamecock lead to 3-1.
South Carolina tacked onto its lead in the sixth, opening the game up with five runs in the sixth inning, courtesy of three hits and one UK error. The inning was highlighted by a three-run home run from first baseman Justin Smoak, his 15th of the year.
Post-Game Notes
Team Records and Series Notes
Kentucky drops to 30-14-1 with the loss, including a 9-12-1 mark in Southeastern Conference action. South Carolina improves to 34-13, 12-10 in the SEC.
The Wildcats and the Gamecocks resume the series Saturday at 6 p.m. EDT at Sarge Frye Field.
Team Game Notes
Kentucky?s 14 strike outs tie for the second highest total of the season. UK struck out 16 times in a game against Vanderbilt on April 13.
Individual Game Notes
Sean Coughlin made his team-leading 63rd consecutive start.
Mike Brown knocked his 17th double of the season to lead off the fourth.
Sawyer Carroll his club-best hit streak snapped at 11 games.
Antone DeJesus led the team at the plate, finishing 2-for-4.
