South Carolina (20-14, 6-7 SEC) has struggled at the plate and on the mound several times this season, but the Gamecocks were proficient in both areas Thursday night in a 3-2 win at Arkansas, No. 3 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
USC coach Mark Kingston elected to keep Nos. 1 and 2 starters Adam Hill and Cody Morris on their normal days rest and started freshman Logan Chapman out of Easley High School to begin the SEC series, Chapman responded with an effective outing, allowing two runs over four innings.
He was supported by timely hitting and good defense. The Gamecocks turned three double plays, including one when left fielder Carlos Cortes nailed a runner trying to advance to third on a flyout.
Cortes continued his recent hot hitting, going 3-for-5 with a two-run homer in the fifth to cap the scoring.
Sawyer Bridges and Eddy Demurias combined to shut out the Hogs over the final five innings. Third baseman Jonah Bride sealed the win by throwing out an Arkansas batter at first on a bang-bang play. The out call was upheld, or at least ruled unable to be overturned, to end the game.
Noah Campbell had two hits in his return to the USC lineup after missing several weeks with a finger injury. Madison Stokes saw his first action on defense since missing several weeks with a hamstring injury and also had two hits. Justin Row also had two of USC's 12 hits.
Hill is scheduled to pitch for the Gamecocks in Game 2 at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
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