Gamecocks bounce Duke, stay alive in NCAA Tournament – The State

There’s still some postseason magic left at Founders Park.

South Carolina reserve catcher Hunter Taylor doubled off the third-base bag in the ninth inning to score the go-ahead run and lead USC to a 4-2 win over Duke Saturday afternoon to avoid elimination.

“We didn’t play beautiful baseball by any stretch,” USC coach Chad Holbrook said. “I’ve got to get our guys to relax and enjoy playing the game.”

Taylor was making his fourth start of the season and was only playing because catcher John Jones was late to the team breakfast Saturday morning.

With the scored tied at 2 entering the ninth inning, Dom Thompson-Williams singled up the middle, advanced to second on a sac bunt and scored on a ball that looked like a routine grounder to third off the bat.

LT Tolbert scored later in the inning to add an insurance run.

Tyler Johnson earned the win, pitching the final 1 1/3 innings without allowing a run.

South Carolina will play the loser of Rhode Island and UNCW Sunday at noon.