Feb. 27, 2016

Final Stats

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A trio of home runs led No. 15 South Carolina past Penn State, 16-5, in non-conference baseball action Saturday afternoon at Founders Park.

For South Carolina (7-0), designated hitter Alex Destino hit a three-run home run in the first inning and a grand slam in the third, finishing the day 3-for-5 with seven RBIs. Catcher John Jones added a grand slam in the sixth inning after drawing four walks previously.

After falling behind early on Destino's homer, Penn State (2-4) rallied within one, 3-2, with two unearned runs in the top of the third inning. Shortstop Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) reached on an error with two outs and advanced to second on a wild pitch, and left fielder Greg Guers (Langhorne, Pa.) followed with a single through the right side to score him for the first run. Guers then swiped second and scored on an infield single by third baseman Jim Haley (Upper Darby, Pa.) accompanied by a throwing error.

It was as close as Penn State would come though as South Carolina would add seven runs in the bottom half of the frame. With three runs across, Destino got a hold of a 1-2 pitch high out of the strike zone and pulled it over the right field fence for a 10-2 lead.

The Gamecocks added an unearned run in the fourth inning and Jones' grand slam came in the sixth inning to cap a five-run inning (all unearned).

Second baseman Christian Helsel (Altoona, Pa.) and Haley drove in runs on the sixth and seventh innings, respectively, while designated hitter Willie Burger (Lancaster, Pa.) added a sacrifice fly.

Helping lead Penn State at the plate was first baseman Tyler Kendall (Boynton Beach, Fla.), who went 1-for-3 with a double, run and walk. Austin Riggins (Greer, S.C.) went 2-for-2 after entering the game in centerfield in the sixth.

Starting RHP Sal Biasi (1-1) (Hazleton, Pa.) suffered the loss pitching 2 1/3 innings. He struck out two but was charged with six runs on six hits and three walks.

RHP Braden Webb (2-0) earned the win, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts.

Penn State and South Carolina will conclude the three-game series Sunday starting at 1:30 p.m. The game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.