USC-Tennessee Game 3 Blog - Sat. 5/17
posted by Scott Hood, Saturday, May 17, 2008
7:25 - Lail up. Bloop to CF. It falls in! Single for Lail. Wingo up. He'll be bunting here, I'm sure. 2-0 on Wingo. He tries to bunt and misses the pitch. 2-1. Tanner pops out of the dugout for a quick chat. 3-1. Favorable count here. Wingo lays down the bunt. 3-4. Lail to 2B. He has plenty of speed.
7:22 - Strikeout. 3 outs. We go to the B9 with the score tied at 8-8. Lail, Wingo and Havens due for USC.
7:20 - I DON'T BELIEVE IT. 3-run HR ties it for Tennessee. Opposite field job by Lockwood. It's 8-8. 4-3 grounder. 2 outs.
7:15 - Todd walks the 2nsd batter. Runners on 1&2, 0 outs. Tying run to the plate. Lima is up. F-7 to medium LF. The crowd held its breathe for a second but it fell 20-30 feet short of the fence. 1 out.
7:12 - Todd still pitching for USC. UT has 3-4-5 due. Single to LF. 2-0 count on next batter. He comes Calvi. Cisco is warming up in the bullpen.
7:08 - Here comes the UT coach. He wants the lefty to face Mack. But Tanner counters with Parker Bangs. He's batting .250 with 2 HR. Nice play by the UT C blocking a low pitch. 1-1 on Bangs. P-5. WE GO TO THE NINTH WITH USC LEADING 8-5. 3 OUTS TO HOOVER.
7:05 - Disher grounder to 3rd. The 3B drops the ball. But he picks it up and throws out Disher. Runners at 2&3, 1 out. Crisp up. USC leads 8-5. Infield is in. 2 big runs out there. 5-run lead would be nice. P-4. Ouch. Mack up. 2 outs.
7:00 - Miss. State leads Arkansas 10-9. Wow. What a comeback. Darnell still up here in the B8. Darnell HR'd the last time. 3-1 count. Great hitter's count right here. Darnell will be looking FB right here. Single to LF!! Merrifield slides in. He's safe! USC leads 8-5. 5 RBI for Darnell today. Disher up.
6:57 - Merrifield bunts for a base hit!! He might be the best bunter I've seen in a long time. Smoak up. He beats out a chopper in the hole!! Tunners at 1&2, 0 outs for Darnell.
6:55 - Miss. State is mounting an incredible rally v. Arkansas. It's 9-8 in the B6. They had trailed 9-2 at one point. We're in the B8 here at SFF. USC leads 7-5. Three oust to Hoover. But first they want some insurance runs. Merrifield leads off.
6:52 - Another K for Todd! 2 outs in the T8. There's a 2-out walk. 1-2 on the next batter. Strike Three. We Go to the B8 with USC leading, 7-5.
6:48 - USC down 1-2-3 in the B7. We go to the T8 with USC leading 7-5. Lots of drama here at SFF. K for the first out in the T8. Todd firing bullets now.
6:35 - First pitch by Todd hits the batter! Third HBP this inning. Run scores. It's 7-5 with 1 out. Tying run at 2B. Strikeout on a curveball! That's more like it. 2 outs. 1-2 pitch. That was close! Foul. Another foul. 6-3. Swwep tag by Smoak. USC is out of the inning with a 7-5 lead. It was hold your breath time there. We go to the B7.
6:30 - Bunt attempt. Diving catch by Darnell!! What a grab. Another huge play by the junior from Danville, CA. Runners at 1&2, Wild pitch. Runner to 3rd. Runners on the corners, 1 out. Walk. Bases loaded. Here comes Tanner. That's it for Farotto. Brandon Todd coming in. 1 out, bases loaded for UT.
6:25 - Cooper has hit the first 2 batters in the T7. That's not good. Here comes Calvi. Farotto warming up in the bullpen. Cooper stays in. Single to LF. Run scores. It's 7-4. Tying run to the plate. Here comes Tanner. That's it for Cooper. 6.0 IP, 9 hits, 5 K, 97 pitches, 71 strikes. Farotto is the new pitcher.
6:22 - Mack out U-3. They've ruled havens hit was a sacrifice/E-9. I'm not sure that was an error, but that's the call. If USC hangs on, they will be the NO. 7 seed in the SEC Tourney and play LSU Wed. at 11 a.m. ET in Hoover in the opening game of the SEC Tournament.
6:20 - Disher 4-3 for the 2nd out. Crisp double to RCF! 3rd extra-base hit of the inning for USC. Here comes the UT coach. That's it for Harris. 2 outs here in the B6. USC leads 7-3. The Gamecocks are 9 outs from Hoover.
6:15 - 3-RUN HOMER FOR DARNELL. USC LEADS 7-3. CLUTCH RIGHT THERE. HR NO. 18 FOR DARNELL. HE HAS 76 RBI ON THE SEASON. THAT WAS HUGE.
6:10 - Smoak IBB. Runners at 1&3, 1 out for Darnell. USC is 9 outs from the SEC Tourney. Darnell up. Big situation here. darnelldeends to drive one into the gap here. Here comes the UT coach. There's a cast of thousands on the pitching mound right now.
6:08 - Havens drills one to deep RCF. The UT RF bangs into the wall. He can't hang onto it! Run scores! USC leads 4-3. Here comes the UT coach. He's conesting the no-catch call. He loses the argument. Havens is on 3rd with the second straight triple. Merrifield F-8 to short CF. Havens stays. It's still 4-3.
6:05 - Wingo leads off the B6. There's a drive to RCF, It's off the wall! He's digginf for third. He's safe. Leadoff triple for Wingo!! Go-ahead run 90 feet away for USC.
6:00 - Leadoff single to CF for UT in the T6. F-8 for the 1st out. There's a beautiful 3-6-1 DP. Nicely done. WE go to the B6 with the score still tied at 3-3. Wingo, Havens and Merrifield due.
5:55 - USC out in the B5. They got a runner to 2B. We go to the T6 with the score still ties at 3-3.
5:50 - Mack just drilled a shot off the leg of the UT pitcher. But he's thrown out 1-5-3. Alabama beats UGA, 16-13, so here's the top 6 seeds for the SEC Tourney:
1. Georgia (20-9-1)
2. LSU (Still Playing MSU, but clinched SEC West)
3. Florida (17-13)
4. Kentucky (16-14)(2-1 over UA)
5. Alabama (16-14)
6. Vanderbilt (15-14)
7. TBA
8. TBA
Right now, it's the No. 7 seed or bust for USC.
5:42 - A 5-4-3 DP ends the T5. We go to the B5 with the scored tied at 3-3. Disher, Crisp and Mack due.
5:40 - Single to CF by Brown. 2 runs score. We're tied at 3-3. 1 out in the T5.
5:35 - Leadoff infield single inthe T5 with USC leading 3-1. That's the sixth hit for UT. P-4 for the first out. Tying run at the plate. Chopper into the hole. Darnellfield. He throws low to 1B. The ball gets past Smoak. Runners on 2&3, 1 out.
5:30 - Smoak lines a single to RF. He's 2-for-2 in what will likely be his last regular season game at SFF. Darnell up. 5-3 DP. He stepped on third and throw to first. Nice scoop by the UT 1B. 7 LOB through 4 Inn. for USC. They've had chances to extend the lead.
5:20 - Havens reaches on infield hit to start the B4. Merrifield K's. 1 out. Smoak up. He's doubled and walked.
5:15 - UT has a runner at 1B with 1 out in T4. LIne shot down LF line was foul by inches. There's a liner into RF. Lail dives but can't catch up to it. Runners at 1&3, 2 outs. UF has beaten Vandy, 12-11, to complete a 3-game sweep. UF will be the No. 3 seed for the SEC TOurney behind UGA and LSU. Strike Three for the final out here in the T4. We go to the B4 with USC ahead, 3-1.
5:10 - UK is down to its last out in the B11. Now downto its last strike. USC has the bases loaded in the B3 with 2 outs. STrike Three. Ole Miss wins 7-5. And Arkansas is winning 7-2, so it's up to USC to take care of business here. There's a groudner to third. He tries for the force. Darnell beats him to the bag!! Run scores. USC leads 3-1. Wingo P-6. We go to the T4 with USC leading 3-1.
5:00 - Smoak walks and Darnell singles to lead off the B3 here at SFF. The news is not as good from Lexington. Ole Miss leads 7-5 going to the B11. Disher is up here at SFF. USC has 5 hits. Darnell is 2-for-2. Disher K's. Crisp up. UK up in the B11 trailing 7-5.
4:55 - OM has 2 runners on base in the T11. OM has scored in the T11 to take the lead. Here at SFF, UT is retired in the T3 without scoring. We go to the B3 with USC ahead, 2-1.
4:45 - Wingo bloops a double into RF. Mack had to hold up fo fear it might be caught. I think the UT RF got a late break on it. Runners at 2&3 with 1 out in the B2. That's the fourth double of the game for USC. Havens up.
4:40 - UK has the winning run at 2B with 1 out in the B10. But the next batter K's. Here at SFF, Mack rifles a double into the RF corner. UK-OM going to the 11th inning tied ar 5-5. Lail up. P-4. The second half of the season has been a nightmare at the plate for Lail. Wingo up. 1 out, runner at 2B.
4:35 - UT has runners on the corners, 2 outs in the T2. Consecutive singles. In Lexington, the leadoff batter reaches. 3-1 for the final out here in the T2. We go to the B2 with USC leading 2-1.
4:30 - Crisp F-8. We go to the T2 with USC leading 2-1. F-9 for the first out inthe T2. UK-OM going to the B10 tied at 5-5.
4:25 - Darnell drills a double down the 1B line!! Smoak scores. It's 2-1 USC. Disher up. Harris isn't fooling anybody eight now. But Disher X-5. 2 outs. Darnell at 2B. OK-OM in the T10 tied at 5-5. OM has runners at 1&2.
4:22 - Smoak rips a double down the RF line. Havens scores all the way from first. That is Smoak's 196th career RBI, two shy of the school record. The score is tied at 1-1 here in the B1.
4:20 - Havens walks on 4 pitches. Merrifield up. UK needs a hit in Lexington. L-6 to retire the side at UK. UK-OM headed for extra innings. Merrifield P-6. 1 out. Smoak up.
4:15 - K to end the T1. UT leads 1-0. Drama in UK. UK has 2 runners on. All they need is 1 run to win. Winning run at 2B. U-3. Runners move up. 2&3, 1 out in Lexington. Cowgill up. OM doesn't IBB Cowgill. That's questionable strategy. OM should IBB. Grounder. Runner caught in rundown. Ouch. UK has runners at 1&3 with 2 outs.
4:12 - 2 outs here in the T1 at SFF. Home run for UT. The Vols lead 1-0. Cooper got 2 quick outs before serving up the solo HR. Inthe UK-OM game, UK has 2 runners on, 0 outs. Runners at 1&2. Bittle still pitching for OM. He has to be tired by now.
4:10 - We're ready to go here at SFF. Blake Cooper has finished his warmups. The UK-OM game is in the B9 tied at 5-5. Base hit for UK. Leadoff runner on 1B for the Wildcats.
4:05 - Strike 3!! We go the B9 with the score tied at 5-5 in Lexington between UK and Ole Miss. Remember, if UK wins, USC is assured of a spot in the SEC Tournament.
4:00 - OM has runners at the corners with 1 out in the T9.Strikeout. 2 outs in T9. Huge K right there for UK. USC is ready to take the field here for the start of the USC-Tenn. game.
3:55 - Ole Miss' leadoff hitter reaches base in the T9. The pre-game
festivities are still going on here at SFF. The seniors are being introduced right now. Phil Disher got a huge ovation. OM tried to sac, bunt but it was popped into the air. Wild pitch, runner to 2nd. Lead run in scoring position for The Rebels.
3:50 - UK and Ole Miss go to the 9th tied 5-5.
3:45 - Home run UK!!!! It's 5-5 in the B8. Spear. First run off Bittle for UK today.
3:40 - UF leads Vandy, 8-7, in the B7. OM out in the T8. We go to the B8 with Ole Miss still leading, 5-4.
3:35 - UK has runners at the corners with 1 out in B7. Tying run at 3B. Cowgill at the plate. He's one of the top hitters in the SEC. He K's. 2 outs. Scott Bittle is pitching for Ole Miss. F-8 to deep CF. Tying run stranded at 3B. UK-OM go to the T8 with Ole Miss leading 5-4.
3:20 - Double play ends the Ole Miss T7. It's 7th-inning stretch time in Lexington. Ole Miss leads 5-4. If you're wondering when the 64-team NCAA Tournament Field will be announced, the special day is Monday, May 26 on ESPN. The time is TBA right now. But typically it's late morning or early afternoon.
3:15 - UK strands the tying run on base in the B6. Ole Miss leads 5-4 heading to the T7. The B6 ended with a called strike three. Tennessee is taking BP here at SFF. I'm told the pre-game festivities will start about 3:35 today. Sarge Frye's family will be honored before the game.
3:10: Ole Miss still leads 5-4 in the B6. Florida scored 4 runs in the B6 to tie Vandy at 7-7.
3:05: Ole Miss leads 5-4 going to the B6 in Lexington. We've just been handed USC's starting lineup. Here it is:
Havens - 6 (.355-15 HR-48 RBI)
Merrifield - 8 (.322-3-21)
Smoak - 3 (.380-20-60)
Darnell - 5 (.304-17-72)
Disher - 2 (.316-16-51)
Crisp - 7 (.307-2-21)
Mack - DH (.289-5-17)
Lail - 9 (.234-5-26)
Wingo - 4 (.212-6-15)
Cooper - P (5-5, 3.84 ERA, 75.0 IP, 79 hits, 38 runs, 37 K, 21 BB,.275 OBA)
Cooper is 9-1 in his career at SFF, so I like USC's chances in this one. Cooper seems to be a different pitcher at home than on the road.
2:55 - Ole Miss has scored twice in the T6 on a two-run single. The Rebels lead, 5-4. A two-out error continued the inning and Ole Miss took advantage.
2:45- UK leads 4-3 through 5 Inn. They were talking on the UK broadcast about the Wildcats submitting an "aggressive" bid to host a NCAA Regional. I'm sure USC submitted a bid as well. In another game, Vandy leads Florida, 7-3 in the 6th. If Vandy wins and UK loses, VU would get the No. 3 seed. But if both VU and UK win, VU will have the No. 4 seed. The best USC can do is the No. 7 seed. USC would face either Georgia or LSU in the first round on Wed. They would play either 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. ET next Wed. IF they get to Hoover.
2:40 - UK leads Ole Miss, 4-3, going to the B5. UK scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth. UK has a very good baseball team. John Cohen has done an excellent job there. Their offense is awesome. They can score some runs. Leadoff double for UK in the B5. Come on Wildcats!
2:20 - We're here at Sarge Frye Field for Game 3 of the USC-Tennessee series. Obviously, it's another must-win situation for the Gamecocks. We're following the Ole Miss-Kentucky game right now. If UK wins, USC will wrap up a berth in the SEC Tourney before it even faces the Vols. Hopefully, that will be the case. But Ole Miss leads, 3-0, in the 2nd Inn. right now. But UK has an explosive offense and it could erupt at any time. USC is taking batting practice at the Sarge. The other storyline today is that this will be the final regular season game at SFF. USC still has a slim chance to host a Regional, but the more likely scenario is the Gamecocks will have to travel.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
7:30 - Havens up. Lail will score from 2B on a hit. 1-1. High. 2-1. Foul. 2-2. THERE IT GOES!!!! HOME RUN!!!! USC WINS 10-8!!!! USC IS GOING TO HOOVER!!!!!!!! USC WILL PLAY LSU WED. AT 11 AM ET.
7:25 - Lail up. Bloop to CF. It falls in! Single for Lail. Wingo up. He'll be bunting here, I'm sure. 2-0 on Wingo. He tries to bunt and misses the pitch. 2-1. Tanner pops out of the dugout for a quick chat. 3-1. Favorable count here. Wingo lays down the bunt. 3-4. Lail to 2B. He has plenty of speed.
7:22 - Strikeout. 3 outs. We go to the B9 with the score tied at 8-8. Lail, Wingo and Havens due for USC.
7:20 - I DON'T BELIEVE IT. 3-run HR ties it for Tennessee. Opposite field job by Lockwood. It's 8-8. 4-3 grounder. 2 outs.
7:15 - Todd walks the 2nsd batter. Runners on 1&2, 0 outs. Tying run to the plate. Lima is up. F-7 to medium LF. The crowd held its breathe for a second but it fell 20-30 feet short of the fence. 1 out.
7:12 - Todd still pitching for USC. UT has 3-4-5 due. Single to LF. 2-0 count on next batter. He comes Calvi. Cisco is warming up in the bullpen.
7:08 - Here comes the UT coach. He wants the lefty to face Mack. But Tanner counters with Parker Bangs. He's batting .250 with 2 HR. Nice play by the UT C blocking a low pitch. 1-1 on Bangs. P-5. WE GO TO THE NINTH WITH USC LEADING 8-5. 3 OUTS TO HOOVER.
7:05 - Disher grounder to 3rd. The 3B drops the ball. But he picks it up and throws out Disher. Runners at 2&3, 1 out. Crisp up. USC leads 8-5. Infield is in. 2 big runs out there. 5-run lead would be nice. P-4. Ouch. Mack up. 2 outs.
7:00 - Miss. State leads Arkansas 10-9. Wow. What a comeback. Darnell still up here in the B8. Darnell HR'd the last time. 3-1 count. Great hitter's count right here. Darnell will be looking FB right here. Single to LF!! Merrifield slides in. He's safe! USC leads 8-5. 5 RBI for Darnell today. Disher up.
6:57 - Merrifield bunts for a base hit!! He might be the best bunter I've seen in a long time. Smoak up. He beats out a chopper in the hole!! Tunners at 1&2, 0 outs for Darnell.
6:55 - Miss. State is mounting an incredible rally v. Arkansas. It's 9-8 in the B6. They had trailed 9-2 at one point. We're in the B8 here at SFF. USC leads 7-5. Three oust to Hoover. But first they want some insurance runs. Merrifield leads off.
6:52 - Another K for Todd! 2 outs in the T8. There's a 2-out walk. 1-2 on the next batter. Strike Three. We Go to the B8 with USC leading, 7-5.
6:48 - USC down 1-2-3 in the B7. We go to the T8 with USC leading 7-5. Lots of drama here at SFF. K for the first out in the T8. Todd firing bullets now.
6:35 - First pitch by Todd hits the batter! Third HBP this inning. Run scores. It's 7-5 with 1 out. Tying run at 2B. Strikeout on a curveball! That's more like it. 2 outs. 1-2 pitch. That was close! Foul. Another foul. 6-3. Swwep tag by Smoak. USC is out of the inning with a 7-5 lead. It was hold your breath time there. We go to the B7.
6:30 - Bunt attempt. Diving catch by Darnell!! What a grab. Another huge play by the junior from Danville, CA. Runners at 1&2, Wild pitch. Runner to 3rd. Runners on the corners, 1 out. Walk. Bases loaded. Here comes Tanner. That's it for Farotto. Brandon Todd coming in. 1 out, bases loaded for UT.
6:25 - Cooper has hit the first 2 batters in the T7. That's not good. Here comes Calvi. Farotto warming up in the bullpen. Cooper stays in. Single to LF. Run scores. It's 7-4. Tying run to the plate. Here comes Tanner. That's it for Cooper. 6.0 IP, 9 hits, 5 K, 97 pitches, 71 strikes. Farotto is the new pitcher.
6:22 - Mack out U-3. They've ruled havens hit was a sacrifice/E-9. I'm not sure that was an error, but that's the call. If USC hangs on, they will be the NO. 7 seed in the SEC Tourney and play LSU Wed. at 11 a.m. ET in Hoover in the opening game of the SEC Tournament.
6:20 - Disher 4-3 for the 2nd out. Crisp double to RCF! 3rd extra-base hit of the inning for USC. Here comes the UT coach. That's it for Harris. 2 outs here in the B6. USC leads 7-3. The Gamecocks are 9 outs from Hoover.
6:15 - 3-RUN HOMER FOR DARNELL. USC LEADS 7-3. CLUTCH RIGHT THERE. HR NO. 18 FOR DARNELL. HE HAS 76 RBI ON THE SEASON. THAT WAS HUGE.
6:10 - Smoak IBB. Runners at 1&3, 1 out for Darnell. USC is 9 outs from the SEC Tourney. Darnell up. Big situation here. darnelldeends to drive one into the gap here. Here comes the UT coach. There's a cast of thousands on the pitching mound right now.
6:08 - Havens drills one to deep RCF. The UT RF bangs into the wall. He can't hang onto it! Run scores! USC leads 4-3. Here comes the UT coach. He's conesting the no-catch call. He loses the argument. Havens is on 3rd with the second straight triple. Merrifield F-8 to short CF. Havens stays. It's still 4-3.
6:05 - Wingo leads off the B6. There's a drive to RCF, It's off the wall! He's digginf for third. He's safe. Leadoff triple for Wingo!! Go-ahead run 90 feet away for USC.
6:00 - Leadoff single to CF for UT in the T6. F-8 for the 1st out. There's a beautiful 3-6-1 DP. Nicely done. WE go to the B6 with the score still tied at 3-3. Wingo, Havens and Merrifield due.
5:55 - USC out in the B5. They got a runner to 2B. We go to the T6 with the score still ties at 3-3.
5:50 - Mack just drilled a shot off the leg of the UT pitcher. But he's thrown out 1-5-3. Alabama beats UGA, 16-13, so here's the top 6 seeds for the SEC Tourney:
1. Georgia (20-9-1)
2. LSU (Still Playing MSU, but clinched SEC West)
3. Florida (17-13)
4. Kentucky (16-14)(2-1 over UA)
5. Alabama (16-14)
6. Vanderbilt (15-14)
7. TBA
8. TBA
Right now, it's the No. 7 seed or bust for USC.
5:42 - A 5-4-3 DP ends the T5. We go to the B5 with the scored tied at 3-3. Disher, Crisp and Mack due.
5:40 - Single to CF by Brown. 2 runs score. We're tied at 3-3. 1 out in the T5.
5:35 - Leadoff infield single inthe T5 with USC leading 3-1. That's the sixth hit for UT. P-4 for the first out. Tying run at the plate. Chopper into the hole. Darnellfield. He throws low to 1B. The ball gets past Smoak. Runners on 2&3, 1 out.
5:30 - Smoak lines a single to RF. He's 2-for-2 in what will likely be his last regular season game at SFF. Darnell up. 5-3 DP. He stepped on third and throw to first. Nice scoop by the UT 1B. 7 LOB through 4 Inn. for USC. They've had chances to extend the lead.
5:20 - Havens reaches on infield hit to start the B4. Merrifield K's. 1 out. Smoak up. He's doubled and walked.
5:15 - UT has a runner at 1B with 1 out in T4. LIne shot down LF line was foul by inches. There's a liner into RF. Lail dives but can't catch up to it. Runners at 1&3, 2 outs. UF has beaten Vandy, 12-11, to complete a 3-game sweep. UF will be the No. 3 seed for the SEC TOurney behind UGA and LSU. Strike Three for the final out here in the T4. We go to the B4 with USC ahead, 3-1.
5:10 - UK is down to its last out in the B11. Now downto its last strike. USC has the bases loaded in the B3 with 2 outs. STrike Three. Ole Miss wins 7-5. And Arkansas is winning 7-2, so it's up to USC to take care of business here. There's a groudner to third. He tries for the force. Darnell beats him to the bag!! Run scores. USC leads 3-1. Wingo P-6. We go to the T4 with USC leading 3-1.
5:00 - Smoak walks and Darnell singles to lead off the B3 here at SFF. The news is not as good from Lexington. Ole Miss leads 7-5 going to the B11. Disher is up here at SFF. USC has 5 hits. Darnell is 2-for-2. Disher K's. Crisp up. UK up in the B11 trailing 7-5.
4:55 - OM has 2 runners on base in the T11. OM has scored in the T11 to take the lead. Here at SFF, UT is retired in the T3 without scoring. We go to the B3 with USC ahead, 2-1.
4:45 - Wingo bloops a double into RF. Mack had to hold up fo fear it might be caught. I think the UT RF got a late break on it. Runners at 2&3 with 1 out in the B2. That's the fourth double of the game for USC. Havens up.
4:40 - UK has the winning run at 2B with 1 out in the B10. But the next batter K's. Here at SFF, Mack rifles a double into the RF corner. UK-OM going to the 11th inning tied ar 5-5. Lail up. P-4. The second half of the season has been a nightmare at the plate for Lail. Wingo up. 1 out, runner at 2B.
4:35 - UT has runners on the corners, 2 outs in the T2. Consecutive singles. In Lexington, the leadoff batter reaches. 3-1 for the final out here in the T2. We go to the B2 with USC leading 2-1.
4:30 - Crisp F-8. We go to the T2 with USC leading 2-1. F-9 for the first out inthe T2. UK-OM going to the B10 tied at 5-5.
4:25 - Darnell drills a double down the 1B line!! Smoak scores. It's 2-1 USC. Disher up. Harris isn't fooling anybody eight now. But Disher X-5. 2 outs. Darnell at 2B. OK-OM in the T10 tied at 5-5. OM has runners at 1&2.
4:22 - Smoak rips a double down the RF line. Havens scores all the way from first. That is Smoak's 196th career RBI, two shy of the school record. The score is tied at 1-1 here in the B1.
4:20 - Havens walks on 4 pitches. Merrifield up. UK needs a hit in Lexington. L-6 to retire the side at UK. UK-OM headed for extra innings. Merrifield P-6. 1 out. Smoak up.
4:15 - K to end the T1. UT leads 1-0. Drama in UK. UK has 2 runners on. All they need is 1 run to win. Winning run at 2B. U-3. Runners move up. 2&3, 1 out in Lexington. Cowgill up. OM doesn't IBB Cowgill. That's questionable strategy. OM should IBB. Grounder. Runner caught in rundown. Ouch. UK has runners at 1&3 with 2 outs.
4:12 - 2 outs here in the T1 at SFF. Home run for UT. The Vols lead 1-0. Cooper got 2 quick outs before serving up the solo HR. Inthe UK-OM game, UK has 2 runners on, 0 outs. Runners at 1&2. Bittle still pitching for OM. He has to be tired by now.
4:10 - We're ready to go here at SFF. Blake Cooper has finished his warmups. The UK-OM game is in the B9 tied at 5-5. Base hit for UK. Leadoff runner on 1B for the Wildcats.
4:05 - Strike 3!! We go the B9 with the score tied at 5-5 in Lexington between UK and Ole Miss. Remember, if UK wins, USC is assured of a spot in the SEC Tournament.
4:00 - OM has runners at the corners with 1 out in the T9.Strikeout. 2 outs in T9. Huge K right there for UK. USC is ready to take the field here for the start of the USC-Tenn. game.
3:55 - Ole Miss' leadoff hitter reaches base in the T9. The pre-game
festivities are still going on here at SFF. The seniors are being introduced right now. Phil Disher got a huge ovation. OM tried to sac, bunt but it was popped into the air. Wild pitch, runner to 2nd. Lead run in scoring position for The Rebels.
3:50 - UK and Ole Miss go to the 9th tied 5-5.
3:45 - Home run UK!!!! It's 5-5 in the B8. Spear. First run off Bittle for UK today.
3:40 - UF leads Vandy, 8-7, in the B7. OM out in the T8. We go to the B8 with Ole Miss still leading, 5-4.
3:35 - UK has runners at the corners with 1 out in B7. Tying run at 3B. Cowgill at the plate. He's one of the top hitters in the SEC. He K's. 2 outs. Scott Bittle is pitching for Ole Miss. F-8 to deep CF. Tying run stranded at 3B. UK-OM go to the T8 with Ole Miss leading 5-4.
3:20 - Double play ends the Ole Miss T7. It's 7th-inning stretch time in Lexington. Ole Miss leads 5-4. If you're wondering when the 64-team NCAA Tournament Field will be announced, the special day is Monday, May 26 on ESPN. The time is TBA right now. But typically it's late morning or early afternoon.
3:15 - UK strands the tying run on base in the B6. Ole Miss leads 5-4 heading to the T7. The B6 ended with a called strike three. Tennessee is taking BP here at SFF. I'm told the pre-game festivities will start about 3:35 today. Sarge Frye's family will be honored before the game.
3:10: Ole Miss still leads 5-4 in the B6. Florida scored 4 runs in the B6 to tie Vandy at 7-7.
3:05: Ole Miss leads 5-4 going to the B6 in Lexington. We've just been handed USC's starting lineup. Here it is:
Havens - 6 (.355-15 HR-48 RBI)
Merrifield - 8 (.322-3-21)
Smoak - 3 (.380-20-60)
Darnell - 5 (.304-17-72)
Disher - 2 (.316-16-51)
Crisp - 7 (.307-2-21)
Mack - DH (.289-5-17)
Lail - 9 (.234-5-26)
Wingo - 4 (.212-6-15)
Cooper - P (5-5, 3.84 ERA, 75.0 IP, 79 hits, 38 runs, 37 K, 21 BB,.275 OBA)
Cooper is 9-1 in his career at SFF, so I like USC's chances in this one. Cooper seems to be a different pitcher at home than on the road.
2:55 - Ole Miss has scored twice in the T6 on a two-run single. The Rebels lead, 5-4. A two-out error continued the inning and Ole Miss took advantage.
2:45- UK leads 4-3 through 5 Inn. They were talking on the UK broadcast about the Wildcats submitting an "aggressive" bid to host a NCAA Regional. I'm sure USC submitted a bid as well. In another game, Vandy leads Florida, 7-3 in the 6th. If Vandy wins and UK loses, VU would get the No. 3 seed. But if both VU and UK win, VU will have the No. 4 seed. The best USC can do is the No. 7 seed. USC would face either Georgia or LSU in the first round on Wed. They would play either 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. ET next Wed. IF they get to Hoover.
2:40 - UK leads Ole Miss, 4-3, going to the B5. UK scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth. UK has a very good baseball team. John Cohen has done an excellent job there. Their offense is awesome. They can score some runs. Leadoff double for UK in the B5. Come on Wildcats!
2:20 - We're here at Sarge Frye Field for Game 3 of the USC-Tennessee series. Obviously, it's another must-win situation for the Gamecocks. We're following the Ole Miss-Kentucky game right now. If UK wins, USC will wrap up a berth in the SEC Tourney before it even faces the Vols. Hopefully, that will be the case. But Ole Miss leads, 3-0, in the 2nd Inn. right now. But UK has an explosive offense and it could erupt at any time. USC is taking batting practice at the Sarge. The other storyline today is that this will be the final regular season game at SFF. USC still has a slim chance to host a Regional, but the more likely scenario is the Gamecocks will have to travel.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Previous Blog Entries
Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.