NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt produced seven runs in the first three innings only to see South Carolina go into overdrive, sparking an 8-7 comeback victory behind six runs in the sixth inning on Friday night at Hawkins Field.
The No. 17 Commodores (24-17, 10-9 SEC) maintained a five-run advantage before the Gamecocks (25-17, 10-9 SEC) sent 11 batters to the plate in the sixth including pushing three across with two outs.
Cleanup hitter LT Tolbert tagged a two-run single into right center to tie things up and one batter later, with runners on the corners, Carlos Cortes provided the winning run by stealing home with Tolbert in a rundown between first and second.
The Dores erupted for eight hits over the first 2.2 innings, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Pat DeMarco and Ty Duvall, but were held hitless over the final 6.1 frames against three different USC relievers.
Vanderbilt starter Drake Fellows retired 12 of his first 15 batters before allowing four hits and two runs in the fifth inning. The right-hander avoided further damage, stranding men on the corners thanks to a pop up and strikeout.
Fellows would not be as fortunate in the sixth as the first three Gamecocks reached (hit by pitch, double and catcher’s interference). Jacob Olson followed, working a seven-pitch bases-loaded walk before Hunter Taylor delivered a sacrifice fly.
Leadoff hitter TJ Hopkins lined a run-scoring single up the middle, trimming Vandy’s lead to 7-5 to chase Fellows from the game. Reliever Tyler Brown hit the first batter he faced but fanned Madison Stokes for the second out.
Vandy put three across in the first inning, thanks to a two-run homer from DeMarco and solo blast from Duvall. It marked the first time since March 18, 2017 (Will Toffey and Stephen Scott) that Vandy batters had gone back-to-back.
The Dores added a single run in the second as Infante laced a one-out double down the right field line and plated on a pair of wild pitches. DeMarco added a bunt single to lead off the third and came home on a Scott groundout. Harrison Ray added an RBI-triple before Infante singled through the left side for a 7-0 lead.
DeMarco led the way for Vandy, finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of runs and as many RBIs. Ty Duvall reached base twice and scored twice as part of a 1-for-3 performance and Infante went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI.
Justin Row paced the way for the Gamecocks, finishing 3-for-5 with a run. Hopkins and Tolbert each drove in a pair, going 2-for-5 and 1-for-5, respectively.
Brown (1-3) drew the loss for Vandy, permitting two hits and a run in 0.1 innings of relief. Fellows allowed seven hits and as many runs (six earned) in 5.1 innings while striking out six and walking a pair. Zach King provided some stability, allowing just one hit and a walk while fanning four over the final 3.1 frames.
TJ Shook (2-0) secured the win for South Carolina, holding the Commodores hitless while walking a pair and striking out five in 3.1 innings. Eddy Demurias added two scoreless frames before Sawyer Bridges locked up his third save of the season, retiring the side in the ninth.
The teams return to action on Saturday for the middle game. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. from Hawkins Field. Right-hander Patrick Raby (2-4, 2.47 ERA) will get the ball for Vandy against USC righty Adam Hill (4-4, 4.05 ERA).
