Vanderbilt erupts in a six‑run opening inning
Vanderbilt opened the series finale at Hawkins Field with a barrage of offense, plating six runs on six hits and an error to take an early 6‑0 lead over South Carolina.
Braden Holcomb, Tommy Goodin and Rustan Rigdon each delivered consecutive run‑scoring hits, and Rigdon capped the burst by stealing home, extending the advantage to 6‑0.
South Carolina fights back
The Gamecocks answered in the fourth with three runs on four hits and an error, narrowing the gap but failing to seize momentum.
Luke Yuhasz and Tyler Bak contributed to a two‑run seventh inning, but Vanderbilt’s bullpen steadied the ship.
Late‑game insurance
Ryker Waite led off the eighth with a double, and Logan Johnstone followed with a sacrifice fly to add an extra run, pushing the lead to 9‑5.
Wyatt Nadeau closed out the game with his first collegiate save, retiring the side in the ninth to seal the 9‑5 victory.
What’s next
Vanderbilt and South Carolina will meet again on Saturday to close out the regular season before both squads head to Hoover, Alabama for the SEC Tournament next week.
The Commodores’ offense was led by Holcomb, who finished 3‑for‑5 with two RBI, while the pitching staff combined for a solid finish highlighted by Nadeau’s save.