South Carolina Squeaks By Alabama in Tenth Inning, 1-0
4/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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COLUMBIA, SC -- South Carolina shortstop Steven Tolleson capped a pressure-packed game with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the tenth inning to lift the No. 9 Gamecocks to a 1-0 victory over the University of Alabama in the series finale at Sarge Frye Field.
The Gamecocks (29-11, 9-9 SEC) snapped almost won the game three batters earlier when left fielder Matt Campbell doubled into the left field corner, only to see third baseman Bryan Triplett, who ran through the stop sign from coach Jim Toman, thrown out at home on a perfect relay throw from Gabe Scott to Evan Bush to David Ferazza for the first out. Triplett opened the inning with a walk against losing pitcher Seth Johnson.
USC catcher Landon Powell was intentionally walked to set up the double play and designated hitter Brendan Winn grounded out to Johnson for the second out. Tolleson then lined the first pitch into right field to score Campbell with the only run of the game.
The 1-0 loss marked the first time since May 5, 2002 that Alabama had been shutout, a span of 122 games. Georgia beat Alabama 5-0 in Athens for the last shutout loss. The game also marked the first extra inning game by Alabama since an 8-7, 11-inning loss at Georgia on May 6, 2002, a span of 123 games.
South Carolina junior left-hander Matt Campbell allowed only three singles in the complete-game, 10-inning victory over Alabama. He added two walks and 10 strikeouts in his second career win over Alabama. It was his first career complete game shutout at USC.
He retired 10 straight Alabama batters, including five strikeouts, from the first through the fourth inning. He repeated that feat again later in the game as he retired 10 consecutive UA hitters from the sixth through the ninth inning.
Last season, Campbell beat Alabama 5-1 in Tuscaloosa as he limited the Crimson Tide to one run and five hits in eight innings, with five walks and two strikeouts.
Alabama junior left-hander Taylor Tankerlsey and senior right-hander Seth Johnson were both impressive against the South Carolina batting order.
Tankerlsey worked 6 2/3 scoreless innings to run his streak to 19 2/3 innings without a run over his last three starts. The junior allowed eight hits, walked three and struck out eight batters. In his last three starts, Tankerlsey has 27 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.
Johnson (2-2) was the tough-luck loser as he allowed only one run and four hits in three innings. He walked two and struck out one batter.
"Tankersley pitched very well and Johnson gave us some good innings," Alabama head coach Jim Wells said. "We had only three hits and did not get two bunts down," Alabama head coach Jim Wells said. You have to score runs in the SEC to win games 1-0, just like they did."
Alabama (24-18, 6-12 SEC) managed only three hits in the loss as its offensive woes continued on Sunday at Columbia.
The Crimson Tide had two base runners in the first inning only to see Scott and junior second baseman Allen Rice take called third strikes to end the inning.
Bama had two more base runners in the fourth with two outs before first baseman Zac Welch grounded out to end the inning
UA catcher Charlie Lyons reached on an error to open the inning but freshman shortstop Greg Paiml failed to get the sacrifice bunt down before striking out. Lyons was then doubled off at first base when Mark Haske flied out to Brendan Winn in right field.
Freshman Michael McCallister reached on an error to lead off the 10th inning, but, again, Alabama could not get the bunt down as Welch popped up to the first baseman.
South Carolina had its share of woes, too. The Gamecocks hit into two double plays, including a second-inning double play when center fielder Davy Gregg overran the bag at second base and was thrown out to end the inning.
USC shortstop Steven Tolleson was picked off first base after a leadoff single in the fourth inning. Bryan Tolleson, who singled to right with two outs in the fifth inning, was gunned down at second by Lyons to end the inning.
Tankerlsey pitched around a leadoff double by Michael Campbell in the sixth inning as he retired the next three USC batters in order to leave the go ahead run in scoring position. The junior struck out All-America catcher Landon Powell and then got a foul from Brendan Winn and a fly out by Steven Tolleson to end the inning. The strikeout by Powell was just his 18th in 160 at-bats this season.
The Gamecocks put together back-to-back two out singles and a walk to load the bases in the seventh inning. Gregg and Kevin Melillo singled and Triplett walked to load the bases to chase Tankersley from the game.
Johnson came on to face left-hander Michael Campbell, who grounded out to second baseman Allen Rice on the first pitch to leave the bases loaded. Campbell was 8-for-11 in the series against Alabama before his seventh inning at-bat against Johnson.
With the loss, Alabama has now dropped nine straight SEC series dating back to last season. The nine straight losses are the most by Alabama since 1993-94, including all eight series in 1994. Alabama has also lost 10 straight SEC road series, dating back to the 202 season.
Alabama makes a brief home appearance on Wednesday, April 28 as they host the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils in a 6:30 p.m. game at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The MVSU game will be DCH Health System Night as all employees and families will be admitted for just one dollar.
Alabama travels to LSU next weekend for a three-game SEC series at Alex Box Stadium.
GAME NOTES:
*The professional scouts were out in full force on Sunday afternoon at Sarge Frye Field to see two of the best junior left-handers in the nation square off on the mound. Alabama lefty Taylor Tankersley and USC lefty Matt Campbell treated the 15-plus scouts in attendance to a pitching clinic in the series finale.
*Sophomore third baseman Evan Bush celebrated his 20th birthday on Sunday. Bush was born April 25, 1984. His father, Keith, also celebrated a birthday on Sunday.
*Freshman right fielder Michael McCallister will celebrate his 19th birthday (April 26, 1985) on Monday. Junior RHP Andrew Walker celebrated his 21st birthday (April 20, 1983) this past Tuesday
*Alabama had three fly outs to USC center fielder Davy Gregg in the top of the third inning by Greg Paiml, Mark Haske and Carlos Sosa. .
*Alabama has been held scoreless through six innings in 10 of its 42 games this season. The Crimson Tide has scored one run or less in 16 of its 42 games this season, including 11 of 18 SEC games.
