Beamon’s walk-off hit lifts Carolina past USC Upstate
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Freshman Jonah Beamon’s single to left scored pinch runner Jacob English and gave the University of South Carolina baseball team a 1-0 win over USC Upstate Tuesday night in the final game of 2019 at Founders Park.
Gage Hinson, who earned the win on the mound on his birthday, got out of a bases-loaded one-out jam in the top of the ninth, setting up Beamon’s heroics. Freshman Wes Clarke started the inning with a double to the wall in center field. After a flyout and a foul out, Beamon hit a sharp grounder off the Upstate shortstop and into left field for the game-winning hit.
Carolina had seven hits on the night, three from Clarke, who also caught for the second time this season. Beamon added a pair of hits in the win while Nick Neville and Brady Allen had singles.
Parker Coyne struck out six in a five-inning start. He allowed just three hits in his outing. Sawyer Bridges and Wesley Sweatt each pitched a scoreless frame in the win. Trey Van Der Weide went the distance for Upstate, striking out five and allowing seven hits and a run with three walks in 8.2 innings.
GAMECHANGER
Beamon’s walk-off hit was Carolina’s fifth this season.
KEY STAT
Wes Clarke had two doubles on the night, including the one to start the bottom of the ninth inning.
NOTABLE
- The Gamecocks end the home schedule with an 18-15 record.
- Carolina has won all 13 meetings against USC Upstate.
- This is Carolina’s first 1-0 win since May 13, 2018, in a win over Missouri.
- Coyne has struck out six on three occasions in his career.
UP NEXT
Carolina opens a big three-game SEC series at No. 5 Mississippi State Thursday night (May 16) at 6:30 p.m. CDT (7:30 p.m. EDT) at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Miss.
