COLUMBIA, S.C. — Catcher Landon Powell launched a three-run homer and collected five RBI Saturday to lead third-ranked South Carolina to a 12-5 victory over top-ranked LSU at Sarge Frye Field.
South Carolina (19-1, 1-1) evened the Southeastern Conference series at one game apiece. LSU fell to 17-3 and 1-1 with the loss.
The teams are scheduled to conclude the series at 12:30 p.m. CST Sunday. Senior right-hander Nate Bumstead (2-0, 3.18 ERA) will start on the mound for LSU, while USC will counter with junior lefty Matt Campbell (4-0, 0.00 ERA), who has not allowed a run this season in 27.2 innings of work.
LSU grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning against USC starter Aaron Rawl on a solo homer by J.C. Holt — his second of the season — and a sacrifice fly by Nick Stavinoha. The Tigers extended the lead to 3-0 in the third on an RBI double by Ryan Patterson.
South Carolina, aided by three walks from LSU starter Lane Mestepey, erupted for four runs in the bottom of the third, as the rally was highlighted by Powell’s three-run blast, his fifth homer of the year.
LSU tied the game at 4-4 when Matt Liuzza homered to lead off the fourth inning, but USC reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the frame on an RBI grounder by Davy Gregg against reliever Jordan Faircloth.
Faircloth had relieved Mestepey in the fourth after the first two USC batters reached base. Mestepey was charged with five runs — four earned — on three hits in three innings with three walks and no strikeouts.
LSU knotted the game again at 5-5 in the fifth when Holt doubled and later scored on a throwing error by first baseman Steve Pearce.
But, the Gamecocks struck for three runs in the fifth against Faircloth, including a two-run homer by right fielder Brendan Winn.
South Carolina extended the lead to 10-5 in the sixth on a two-run single by third baseman Bryan Triplett, and Powell provided a two-run single in the eighth to account for the final margin.
Rawl (5-0) earned the victory, as he was charged with five runs — three earned — on 10 hits in 6.2 innings with one walk and three strikeouts.
Faircloth (0-2) was charged with the loss, as he allowed three runs on four hits in two innings with no walks and one strikeout.
Freshman Michael Bonura worked the final three innings for LSU, recording a career-high six strikeouts.
LSU 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 — 5 10 1
USC 0 0 4 1 3 2 0 2 x — 12 11 2
E-Gill, Triplett, Pearce. DP-LSU 2, USC 2.
LOB-LSU 4, USC 6.
2B-Holt, Patterson, Stavinoha, Campbell, Mi. HR-Holt (2), Liuzza (4), Powell (5), Winn (6).
SH-Tolleson. SF-Stavinoha. SB-Gregg.
Win-Rawl (5-0).
Loss-Faircloth (0-2).
Umpires-Short, Asher, Walsh.
Time-2:25.
Att.-5908.