Pitchers carry the day again for Gamecocks
Posted: 02.29.2012 at 12:21 AM
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COLUMBIA (WACH) - Joey Pankake hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie and four Gamecock pitchers combined to allow one run on five hits as South Carolina defeated Presbyterian 2-1 on Tuesday at Carolina Stadium.  South Carolina is now 7-0 on the year while the loss drops Presbyterian to 0-8 for the season.  The Gamecocks have won 17 straight games dating back to last season.

Junior left-hander Nolan Belcher earned his first win since May 11, 2010 with 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.  He allowed just one hit and struck out three batters.  After junior right-hander Ethan Carter hurled 2 1/3 scoreless innings it would be junior left-hander Tyler Webb that would close the game out as he retired the final batter of the game on a fly out to earn his first save of the season.  Freshman left-hander Jordan Montgomery made his first career start and he was effective with four quality innings allowing one run on four hits with a strikeout.  Presbyterian starter Beau Dees had a quality outing despite the loss.  He is now 0-1 on the year.  Dees went 7 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

South Carolina and Clemson will meet in a three-game series beginning on Friday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park in Charleston, S.C.  First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.  Saturday’s contest is in Columbia at Carolina Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.  Sunday’s series finale at Doug Kingmore Stadium in Clemson will begin at 2 p.m.