The University of South Carolina baseball team secured a 4-2 victory over Air Force on Sunday afternoon at Founders Park, concluding the Salute the Troops Tournament. The Gamecocks scored four runs in the first two innings and relied on strong pitching, totaling 10 strikeouts during the game.
Air Force took an early lead with a run in the first inning, but Will Craddock responded for South Carolina with his second consecutive leadoff home run. In the second inning, Dawson Harman led off with a double and scored on Beau Hollins’ single to center field. Hollins advanced to third base following a throwing error and later scored on Luke Yuhasz’s RBI groundout. Patrick Evans added another run by doubling to left field, bringing in Craddock.
Air Force managed another run in the fifth inning, but South Carolina’s pitchers held them scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Zach Russell earned the win in relief by striking out two batters and allowing just one hit over 1.2 innings without giving up any runs or walks. Alex Valentin closed out the final three innings to pick up his second save of the season, recording three strikeouts.
Craddock, Evans, LeCroy, and Hollins each contributed two hits for South Carolina. Craddock also scored twice.
“Valentin has now pitched 7.1 innings and has struck out nine with a .120 opponent’s batting average,” according to postgame notes from South Carolina athletics staff.
“Craddock upped his average to .533 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and six RBI,” as stated in official statistics provided after the game.
“Russell becomes the first Gamecock pitcher with a pair of wins as he has struck out five and not walked a batter in five innings,” noted team officials regarding pitching performances this season.
Brandon Stone started for South Carolina and recorded five strikeouts while allowing one run on three hits over three innings pitched.
South Carolina will next host Queens at Founders Park on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m., with coverage available via SEC Network Plus.
