Ethan Petry Leads South Carolina Past Morehead State in Thrilling Comeback Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ethan Petry came up big when South Carolina needed him most, delivering clutch moments on both offense and defense to lift the Gamecocks to an 11-7 comeback victory over Morehead State on Friday at Founders Park.
The Gamecocks (12-3) spent most of the night playing from behind. They trailed in the second inning and again in the seventh, but Petry sparked a rally with a go-ahead RBI single to right, giving USC its first lead of the game.
That lead didn’t last long, as Morehead State (6-6) regained control in the eighth. But Petry came through once again, flashing his defensive skills with a perfect throw from right field to cut down a runner at home, keeping the deficit within reach.
With the door still open, South Carolina’s offense capitalized in the bottom of the eighth. Jordan Carrion tied the game, and Blake Jackson’s RBI single put the Gamecocks back in front. Then, Petry sealed the victory in style, launching his 49th career home run—a towering 420-foot shot into the left-field bleachers—cementing his place as second in program history for career homers.
What was once a tense battle quickly turned into a four-run victory, all thanks to the hero wearing No. 20.
“I told Ethan after the game that what he did tonight is something that’s gonna carry him through in professional baseball,” said South Carolina head coach Paul Mainieri. “His first two at-bats were not very good. … A lesser person would hang their head and feel sorry for themselves.”
Other Key Takeaways from the Gamecocks’ Win
Matthew Becker’s Early Struggles
South Carolina ace Matthew Becker endured another tough outing, struggling for the second consecutive start. After surrendering four runs in 3.1 innings against Clemson last week, Becker looked sharp early but quickly unraveled against Morehead State.
He retired the first three batters with ease, but the Eagles’ middle of the order had no trouble adjusting. Becker allowed a leadoff triple in the second inning, followed by three consecutive singles, leading to four earned runs before Mainieri pulled him just five outs into the game.
“It was just one of those innings where things kind of unraveled on him,” Mainieri said.
While Becker’s struggles were concerning, sophomore reliever Brandon Stone stepped up in a big way. Thrust into action in the second inning, Stone delivered a gutsy 5.2-inning performance, allowing just two earned runs and five hits while striking out nine.
“When I come into the game, my goal is to finish the game,” Stone said. “I actually told (Mainieri) I was going to hand him the ball back (at the end of the game), but lost it a little bit there at the end.”
Mainieri praised Stone’s effort, adding, “We wouldn’t have won tonight if it wasn’t for the effort by Brandon Stone, who was just phenomenal.”
Defensive Miscues Costly for Gamecocks
Paul Mainieri has emphasized defense since taking over as South Carolina’s head coach, but the Gamecocks struggled in the field Friday night.
Coming into the game, USC had been solid defensively, ranking 58th nationally in fielding percentage (.977) with just 11 errors in 14 games. However, they committed three costly errors against Morehead State, including two by shortstop Henry Kaczmar.
A crucial defensive lapse occurred in the eighth inning, when center fielder Nathan Hall misplayed a fly ball, allowing Morehead State to retake the lead.
While it’s not time to sound the alarm, South Carolina’s defense hasn’t been as crisp as expected under Mainieri.
Kennedy Jones Shines in Return
After suffering a shoulder injury against Clemson last week, Kennedy Jones made his return Friday—and wasted no time making an impact.
“I was itching to get back on the field,” Jones said.
Hitting cleanup and playing left field, Jones looked completely healthy, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs, two runs, and a walk.
Upcoming South Carolina Baseball Schedule
- Saturday, March 9 – vs. Morehead State, 4 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Sunday, March 10 – vs. Morehead State, 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Tuesday, March 12 – vs. Georgia State, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Thursday, March 14 – vs. Oklahoma, 7 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Friday, March 15 – vs. Oklahoma, 4 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Saturday, March 16 – vs. Oklahoma, 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
South Carolina will look to build on this momentum as they continue their homestand at Founders Park.
