Gamecocks back on top? USC may be poll’s new No. 1 after taking 2 of 3 from Vandy
No. 3 South Carolina 5, No. 1 Vanderbilt 3
COLUMBIA -- The Southeastern Conference has a new outright leader in baseball. The country will have a new No. 1 team -- and it could be the same one that finished in the top spot last season.
A four-run seventh and three shutout innings from closer Matt Price delivered a rousing rally for No. 3 South Carolina in a 5-3 series-clinching victory Sunday against No. 1 Vanderbilt.
"It was a good series, no doubt about it, to win two," USC coach Ray Tanner said. "They're just so good."
Vanderbilt (32-5, 11-4 SEC) had lost just three games all season until running into the Gamecocks (28-7, 12-3) who have certainly learned how to topple No. 1-ranked clubs.
South Carolina, which plays against College of Charleston on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Patriots Point, has taken two of three from Florida and Vanderbilt in the past three weeks, launching the Gamecocks to the top of the SEC. Despite a train of recent adversity, the defending national champions are leading the country's best conference at its midway point.
South Carolina managed two wins this weekend against No. 1 despite the midweek suspension of outfielder Jake Williams, the re-injury of starter Adam Matthews and the general taxing of the relatively shallow pitching staff.
Price was summoned in the seventh Sunday -- and nearly came in for the sixth -- because Tanner and pitching coach Jerry Meyers were not sure where else to turn.He entered with USC trailing, but then pitched with pure adrenaline after the Gamecocks grabbed the lead.
Price struck out the side in the eighth, and, after running into some trouble in the ninth, caught Connor Harrell and Tony Kemp looking on changeups to end the game.
A visit from Meyers before Harrell's at-bat seemed to calm Price, a preseason All-American who has 11 saves.
"I was just losing a little bit of control, but after getting a little bit of a breather, I kind of regained myself," he said.
Price (4-2) faced 13 batters on the weekend -- and he struck out 11, including seven of nine Sunday.
The game was the third consecutive sellout at Carolina Stadium, to set a weekend attendance record of 24,726.
Despite that raucous crowd, the energy in the stadium was nervous and tight as Vanderbilt carried a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh.
The feeling changed quickly after Steven Neff, typically a pitcher, registered his first hit as a Gamecock. Neff, serving as the team's designated hitter Sunday, laced a double down the right-field line to chase starter Taylor Hill.
Saturday's game included Neff's first at-bat. He was penciled in the 6 hole Sunday.
The move paid off for Tanner.
"Neff is athletic," Tanner said. "I like who he is. He didn't seem to be fazed by a lack of experience."
Peter Mooney followed Neff's double with a walk, as Vanderbilt got into its bullpen, trying to match up with USC's hitters.
Robert Beary then laid down a perfect bunt, which he beat out when reliever Will Clinard fell down trying to field it.
Pinch hitter Greg Brodzinski was hit by a pitch from Kevin Ziomek, and then Jackie Bradley Jr. singled to center, just in front of Harrell's glove.
Bradley's hit scored Mooney, to tie the game. Scott Wingo's subsequent ground ball brought home pinch runner Erik Payne with what proved to be the winning run. Brady Thomas later added a sacrifice fly.
"We willed ourselves to win this game, definitely," said Bradley, who went 2 for 4 after being moved to the leadoff hole to snap a 2-for-21 skid.
A stern test of wills is on the way. South Carolina is done with the SEC East schedule. It moves on to face the deeper Western Division, beginning this weekend at Mississippi State.
And it will do so, for sure, without Matthews. Tanner said Sunday the junior from Lexing- ton could be done for the season after aggravating a hamstring injury in Saturday's game.
Tanner called the injury "severe."
There is no update, either, on Williams' situation, Tanner said. Law enforcement and university officials are weighing whether Williams was at fault for allegedly providing minors with alcohol at a party. He was cited but not arrested for the offense.
Neff, whose pitching shoulder has been tender, could become a regular in the lineup and outfield.
With all that swirling around, USC managed to take two of three from the team many regarded as the country's best team.
"I'm proud of our players," Tanner said. "We have some adversity. We have some injuries. All teams have situations that are difficult. You can use it as a crutch, or you can still find a way."
