It was Opening Day for a lot of schools, but today was the South Carolina show. Although only a quarter of the fans are aloud due to COVID-19, the energy was still high. No. 18 South Carolina cruised past Dayton for a 12-1 win on Opening Day.
The offense had no trouble getting hot today. Junior Wes Clarke got the show started for South Carolina. A walk and a single set him up for a three-run home run to deep center. Wes Clarke led the SEC in home runs last year before the season was ended abruptly due to COVID-19.
The third inning proved to be the most pivotal for South Carolina. Junior Brady Allen led the inning off with a triple. The next two batters were walked, which set up a perfect bases-loaded situation. Senior Andrew Eyster got the job done, smacking an 0-2 pitch to the opposite field for a grand slam.
South Carolina’s offense had a total of fifteen hits, nine of which went for extra-base hits. Clarke, Eyster, and Allen were the main leaders in today’s game.
Not only was the offense hot, but the pitching was also just as stellar. Thomas Farr settled in early. He went on to pitch six strong innings, allowing five hits, one run, two walks and struck out eight. The bullpen was just as hot. Freshman Magdiel Cotto, Jackson Phipps, and Jack Mahoney pitched an inning each and only allowed one hit combined.
South Carolina will continue the series tomorrow against Dayton at 1 p.m.
