Charleston’s College of Charleston Clips South Carolina in Nail-Biting Exhibition Game

Charleston’s College of Charleston Outlasts South Carolina in Exhibition Game

Charleston – In a thrilling exhibition baseball matchup, the College of Charleston edged out South Carolina with a score of 12-11 on Thursday night at Joe Riley Park. This game marked the end of South Carolina’s fall schedule, showcasing competitive spirit and a series of impressive runs from both teams.

Game Highlights

Paul Mainieri, initially fell behind by as much as seven runs but rallied in the final two innings, ultimately falling short by just one run.

Key Performances

Both teams demonstrated solid offensive capabilities, with South Carolina out-hitting College of Charleston 12 to 7. However, they also struggled defensively, as both teams allowed numerous unearned runs—five by South Carolina and four by the Cougars due to fielding errors.

Mainieri noted that the first five runs scored by College of Charleston were from runners who reached on walks, before home runs started to alter the dynamics. Notable long balls included a three-run homer by Landon Penfield and a two-run shot by Rafael Soto, alongside contributions from Ethan Plyler.

On the opposing side, South Carolina matched the Cougars’ home run total, with Kennedy Jones hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning and Evan Stone also providing a crucial long ball in the ninth, narrowing the gap to just one run. Beau Hollins displayed impressive base running with an inside-the-park home run. Additionally, players such as Henry Kaczmar and Ethan Petry contributed multiple hits, showcasing their offensive depth.

Post-Game Reactions

Mainieri expressed appreciation for the opportunity to play against a strong team like College of Charleston. “I wanted to play as good of a team as we could find,” he mentioned. “The game was a lot of fun. It wasn’t fun ending up on the losing end, but it doesn’t affect our RPI or win-loss record for the spring.”

Chad Holbrook, coach of the Cougars, commented positively about the Gamecocks coming to play, stating, “I love that school and love that program. It was good to see our kids play the right way and win a game against a really good team.” His sentiment reflected the mutual respect between the two teams.

Looking Ahead

Although the exhibition ended in a loss for the Gamecocks, they have a chance for redemption as they prepare to face College of Charleston again during the regular season at Segra Park. That game is scheduled for March 18, with the specific time yet to be announced.

In conclusion, while South Carolina exited the game with a loss, the evening was filled with exciting plays, home runs, and an opportunity to learn and grow before entering the competitive spring season.