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May 18, 2000
HOOVER, Ala.- Top-ranked South Carolina scored nine runs in the final three innings to break a 2-2 tie and post an 11-4 win over Auburn at the 2000 SEC Baseball Tournament at the Hoover Met. The loss eliminated Auburn from the tournament and dropped the Tigers to 40-18 overall. South Carolina improved to 51-7 overall.
South Carolina's Brennan Dees hit a two-run single which broke a 2-2 tie as the Gamecocks scored three runs in the sixth inning for a 5-2 lead. After John McHenry led off with a walk, Nate Janowicz followed with a single and Drew Meyer was hit by pitcher Chris Bootcheck. After Dees' single, Brandon Pack hit a sacrifice fly scoring Meyer from third.
After Chris Plummer's solo home run in the eighth for the Gamecocks, Auburn cut the lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the inning on Todd Faulkner's single to center field scoring Chris Beaird and Jonathan Schuerholz. Beaird and Schuerholz led off the eighth with consecutive singles and Gabe Gross walked the bases loaded before Faulkner's two-out hit.
Auburn could get no closer however, as the Gamecocks added five runs in the ninth to pull away for the 11-4 win. The inning began with the first four USC batters reaching base courtesy of two walks and two singles. Trey Dyson's single scored two runs and he later scored on a wild pitch. Chris Plummer drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Drew Meyer's fielder's choice scored South Carolin's fifth run of the inning.
"It's hard to outhit someone and lose," Auburn head coach Hal Baird said. "South Carolina is a very accomplished and confident team and they play expecting to win.
South Carolina scored a run in the first and fifth innings before the Tigers tied the game at two in the sixth. The Tigers had three hits in the inning with Schuerholz scoring on Mailon Kent's fielder's choice. Faulkner drove Kent home on a sacrifice fly two batters later.
Auburn starter Chris Bootcheck(9-1) was credited with his first loss of the season.The junior went 7.0 innings, allowing five runs on four hits, while walking five and striking out four. Auburn used five pitchers in the game, who combined to give up 11 walks and hit two batters.
Peter Bauer(12-1) earned the win for the Gamecocks allowing four runs on seven hits in 7.2 innings. Scott Barber was credited with his 13th save of the season after allowing just one hit while pitching the final 1.1 innings.
Auburn, which has lost 10 consecutive games to the Gamecocks, collected eight hits to South Carolina's seven. The Tigers were led by Faulkner, who totaled three RBI in the game, boosting this season total to 99.
The NCAA Tournament selections will be announced next Monday, May 22 at 2 pm CT.
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