The Sooners and Gamecocks made sure the drama from Wednesday night’s TCU comeback win continued Thursday, with their elimination game reaching extra innings.
OU’s Zach Neal (7 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 7 strikeouts) and SC’s Blake Cooper (5.2 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 6 strikeouts) dueled on the mound, while both teams’ offenses struggled to find a groove.
With the game tied 1-1, the Sooners’ Tyler Ogle hit a solo home run to lead off the 12th inning. That run paved the way for OU closer Ryan Duke to shut the door on SC, but the closer couldn’t keep the Gamcocks from scoring. After allowing a leadoff hit to Robert Beary, Duke came back to strike out Evan Marzilli, who couldn’t sacrifice the runner to second base. But Beary picked up his teammate, stealing the base on his own during Whit Merrifield’s at bat, which eventually led to an out. That brought South Carolina star Jackie Bradley Jr. to the plate, looking to redeem himself for an 0-5 night. He did just that, turning on a 3-2 pitch and sending it into right field for the game-tying RBI.
After OU allowed a walk, which moved Bradley to second base, Brady Thomas hit the first pitch he saw into centerfield to drive in the game-winning run.
The Gamecocks now must beat rival Clemson twice to reach the best-of-three championship series. South Carolina gets its first shot at the Tigers Friday night at 8 p.m.