South Carolina Dominates Mid-Game, Evens Series with No. 12 Oklahoma

In a live report, McCoy shared that his exhaustion after the game was more mental than physical.

The majority of Oklahoma’s offensive push came during the third inning. They started strong with two base hits followed by a home run, regaining the lead at 3-1. However, South Carolina responded quickly in the fourth quarter with four hits and a single run, cutting Oklahoma’s lead down after three innings.

Oklahoma initially scored three runs in the first three innings, but after that, they could only add two more. Despite allowing seven hits early on, South Carolina’s defense tightened up, allowing just two more hits the rest of the way, including none between the sixth and ninth innings.

The Gamecocks’ offense didn’t ease up when Oklahoma brought in reliever Michael Catalano in the fifth. South Carolina took advantage of his second pitch, driving it to right field for a base hit. That hit set up a sacrifice fly by Jase Woita, pushing South Carolina’s lead to 6-4. The Sooners weren’t able to escape the inning without giving up another four runs, forcing another pitching change.

Overall, South Carolina scored seven runs, gathered six hits, and sent 16 batters to the plate over two innings. The Gamecocks continued to extend their lead, adding two more runs before the game ended.

“We’re trying to earn people’s respect, you got to go out there and earn that,” Mainieri said. “You earn it by playing well against good teams … There’s never been an ounce of negativity in the dugout, everybody’s been upbeat, positive, believing in themselves. And I think it shows the way our hitters are going up there and attacking the ball … We had some really really clutch hits today that allows you to put a crooked number up on the board.”