The University of South Carolina baseball team began its 2026 season with two wins against Northern Kentucky at Founders Park on Friday. The Gamecocks secured a 5-2 victory in the first game, followed by a 6-5 win in the second game, which ended with a walk-off home run.
In the opening game, Riley Goodman made his first career start for South Carolina, pitching 3.2 scoreless innings and recording five strikeouts. Josh Gunther earned the win after striking out seven batters over 4.2 innings. Patrick Evans hit the team’s first home run of the season in the fifth inning, and Dawson Harman added a two-run homer to extend the lead.
Talmadge LeCroy contributed three hits in the opener, tying his career high. Ethan Lizama and Harman each had two hits as well. Alex Valentin came in during the ninth inning to secure the save after Northern Kentucky scored twice late in the game.
Northern Kentucky took an early lead in game two, but South Carolina responded with runs throughout the contest. Tyler Bak drove in multiple runs with singles in both the seventh and eighth innings to help keep his team competitive.
KJ Scobey provided a decisive moment by hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give South Carolina a series-clinching win. “Scobey walked it off with a solo home run to grab the 6-5 series-clinching win,” according to postgame notes from South Carolina Athletics.
Amp Phillips started on the mound for South Carolina, striking out seven over 3.2 innings while allowing two runs and two hits. Relief pitchers Logan Prisco, Connor Chicoli, Zach Russell, and Elijah Foster combined for several scoreless innings, with Foster earning credit for the win.
“There were a trio of three-hit days in the doubleheader,” stated team officials. “LeCroy had three in the first game, tying his career high. Bak and Scobey each had three hits in the nightcap.”
South Carolina has now won its last seven season openers and extended its streak to 28 consecutive series wins to begin seasons.
The Gamecocks will conclude their three-game series against Northern Kentucky on Saturday afternoon at Founders Park with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m., available via streaming on SEC Network Plus.
