Two Solo Home Runs Lift Gamecocks Past Bama, 2-1
8/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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TUSCALOOSA -- Sophomore second baseman Kevin Melillo's solo home run in the top of the ninth inning snapped a 1-1 tie and gave the South Carolina Gamecocks a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first game of a three-game Southeastern Conference series at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
South Carolina (33-17, 14-11 SEC) hit two solo home runs off tough-luck losing pitcher Brent Carter to post its first win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa since the 1999 season.
Senior centerfielder Jon Coutlangous' two-out solo home run in the top of the fifth inning tied the game a 1-1.
Carter (8-5) pitched a six-hitter and lost for the first time since April 2. The sophomore left-hander allowed one run and five hits in 8 2/3 innings with three walks and five strikeouts.
Sophomore right-hander Aaron Rawl (6-2) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for the his second win in six days. Rawl did not allow a hit, while hitting one batter and walking one.
The Crimson Tide (32-17, 13-12 SEC) put two runners on base in the eighth inning when Travis Garner was hit by a pitch and Beau Hearod was intentionally walked with two outs before Al Hecklinski popped up the end the inning.
Alabama had few chances to score against USC starter Steven Boundurant and Rawl, managing just five hits and putting only four runners in scoring position.
Boundurant left after 6 2/3 innings and allowed one run and five hits, with two walks and three strikeouts.
The Crimson Tide stranded a runner at third base in the second inning before scoring its only run of the game in the third.
Freshman third baseman Evan Bush led off the third inning with a bunt single and moved to second on Garner's sacrifice bunt. Adam Pavkovich coaxed a two-out walk and Hearod slammed a double into the left field corner to score Bush. Pavkovich was gunned down at home on a relay throw from left fielder Michael Campbell to shortstop Justin Harris to catcher Landon Powell on a bang-bang play at the plate to end the inning.
The Crimson Tide momentarily took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning when Zac Welch was credited with a home run down the left field line by third base umpire Nelson Graham. The ball was clearly foul and the play was then over-ruled by home plate umpire Tony Maners.
Alabama and South Carolina meet in the second game of this three-game series Saturday at 3:07 p.m. in a game that will be televised by Fox Sports Net South. Alabama is expected to send left-hander Taylor Tankersley (6-3, 4.73 ERA) to the mound against USC lefty David Marchbanks (11-2, 2.13), who leads the SEC in wins, innings pitched and ERA.
