The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 5-0 in the opening game of a best of three series at the NCAA Baseball Tournament's Super Regional in Columbia, South Carolina.
The Gamecocks plated three runs in the second inning. LB Dantzler doubled home Adam Matthews to make it 1-0 South Carolina. Later in the inning, Erik Payne scored on a wild pitch. Chase Vergason capped the frame with a sacrifice fly to score Dantzler.
South Carolina added two more runs in the seventh. Joey Pankake and Christian Walker delivered RBI singles to increase the Gamecocks lead to 5-0.
Gamecocks senior left-handed pitcher Michael Roth (7-1) pitched 7.2 innings of shutout ball. He allowed only six hits and struck out three with two walks. It was Roth's final college appearance at Carolina Stadium.
South Carolina has won a record 20 consecutive NCAA Tournament games. Game two is slated for Sunday at 7 p.m. at Carolina Stadium. Conway's Colby Holmes is scheduled to be the starting pitcher for the Gamecocks.
