South Carolina Downs Connecticut In Game 1 Of NCAA Baseball Super Regionals Matchup, 5-1

The South Carolina Gamecocks took care of business on their home field on Saturday afternoon, downing Connecticut in Game 1 of their NCAA Super Regional matchup, 5-1. Michael Roth pitched 8-1/3 innings without allowing an earned run as the Gamecocks rolled to the win. Roth did give up a run in the first inning following a fielding error, but that was all the Huskies could muster.

George Springer drew first blood for UConn, coming around to score on a Mike Nereth singled. Springer had advanced to second on a fielding error after his two-out single in the first. But from there, Roth settled into a groove, and mowed down Connecticut batters along the way as the Huskies struggled to sustain an offense.

The Gamecocks made their move in the third inning, tying the game on a Scott Wingo. Evan Marzilli came around to score on the play after his two-out double. Jake Williams tacked on another run in the fourth on a wild pitch by Matt Barnes.

In the fifth, the wheels came off for the Huskies as South Carolina plated three to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Steven Neff began the inning with a double that became a triple on a fielding error and came around to score on a Wingo single. Another wild pitch put Wingo on third and Christian Walker brought him around to score. Brady Thomas brought Walker in, and the Gamecocks were comfortably in control.

The final four innings passed scoreless and South Carolina took a 1-0 series lead with a 5-1 win. The Gamecocks and Huskies will get back at it on Sunday in Game 2 of the NCAA Super Regionals. Connecticut must win to force a third game in the best-of-three series.