The South Carolina Gamecocks entered the 2016 NCAA baseball tournament looking to advance to the Super Regional for the first time since 2013. They did just that by winning the Columbia Regional with a big win over the UNC Wilmington Seahawks.
SOUTH CAROLINA IS ON TO SUPER REGIONALS!
The Gamecocks will make their 12th appearance in Supers. #RoadToOmaha pic.twitter.com/ZBaKw6bRvV
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 7, 2016
The Gamecocks and Seahawks faced off in a deciding Game 7 on Tuesday afternoon and it was a five-run fourth inning that sent the latter team to the second round of the tournament. The team was paced by a two-RBI double by designated hitter Alex Destino.
UNC Wilmington did not say die late in the game, however. In the bottom of the eighth inning, the cut into the Gamecocks’ seven-run lead by plating four.
The rally was paced by right fielder Casey Golden’s two-RBI double, a pinch hit sacrifice RBI by Andy Austin, and a RBI single by first baseman Zack Canada. However, the Gamecocks added on two runs in the ninth and held off the Seahawks for the 10-5 victory.
South Carolina moves to their first Super Regional appearance since 2013 as they look to get to the College World Series for the first time in five years. The last time they made it that far, the Gamecocks won their second straight national championship in 2012.
The Gamecocks will now host the Okalahoma State Cowboys in the best two-out-of-series which begins on Saturday, June 11.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
