SCORE: Missouri 5, South Carolina 1
RUNDOWN: Missouri improves to 30-26 on the season, as South Carolina (32-25) is eliminated from the 2015 SEC Tournament. Right-hander Reggie McClain earned the win for the Tigers, as he improved to 7-7 on the season. Lefty Jack Wynkoop (8-5) took the loss for the Gamecocks.
In seven-plus innings of work McClain allowed six hits, one unearned run and recorded four strikeouts. Taking over in the top of the eighth frame, Breckin Williams retired all six batters he faced to earn his 13th save of the season, which set a new single-season record for Missouri.
Right fielder Trey Harris came up with two hits, including an RBI single that scored the Tigers’ first run of the game in the second inning. Missouri added another run in the bottom of the second frame on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Jake Ivory.
A single up the middle by first baseman Zach Lavy scored Harris in the bottom of the fourth inning to put Missouri ahead 3-1. The team’s final two runs came in the eighth inning. Designated hitter Shane Benes also came up with two hits and scored a run for the Tigers.
South Carolina’s lone run came in the top of the third inning and was unearned. The Tigers outhit the Gamecocks 11-6.
CLUTCH MOMENT: After working an impressive seven-plus innings, Missouri’s McClain gave up a single and then a double to South Carolina in the top of the eighth. Trailing just 3-1, the Gamecocks had runners on second and third with no outs when closer Williams replaced McClain on the mound and retired six in a row to shut the door on the Gamecocks.
DIAMOND MVP: Harris’ three hits, including an RBI single and a double, was a team-high for the Tigers.
ACE OF THE GAME: Facing 28 batters, Missouri’s McClain did not allow a single earned run. He surrendered just six hits, while striking out four.
WHAT’S NEXT: Missouri advances to face No. 2 seed Vanderbilt Wednesday afternoon in the double-elimination portion of the tournament.
MANAGER SPEAK
“I thought McClain threw an excellent game. He located his pitches, kind of had us off balance with his change-up, and then when we did put the ball in play they made some pretty darn good defensive plays.” -South Carolina’s Chad Holdbrook
“When Reggie [McClain] has been as good as he was today, his fast-ball command is plus – works both sides of the plate, bottom of the zone and then can throw his change-up in any count and keep the hitters off balance. Those things will make it difficult for any team.” –Missouri’s Tim Jamieson
PLAYER SPEAK
“I definitely felt good with my fast-ball command and where I was putting it. I was just trying to keep it low, not as much inside/outside, but just trying to keep it low and just letting my team work for me and get ground balls. Coming back with a change-up, just so they can’t sit fastball really helped. That’s really what I was trying to do. I wasn’t trying to blow my changeup or make it an unhittable pitch. I was just trying to fill up the zone with it and get some swings and misses.” –McClain, who threw 87 pitches on just four days rest
