Columbia, SC (USC Athletics Department) --- Second-ranked South Carolina came one out away from a no-hitter and was backed by an offense that featured Christian Walker tallying two hits including a homer and five RBI as the Gamecocks defeated Elon 8-1 on Friday evening in game one of a three-game college baseball series.
South Carolina improves to 4-0 on the year while the loss drops Elon to 4-1. Game two of the series is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Carolina Stadium.
Senior left-hander Michael Roth hurled seven no-hit innings with seven strikeouts and three walks allowed to pick up the win. He is now 1-0 on the year.
Junior left-hander Nolan Belcher made his first appearance since the 2010 season and pitched one scoreless frame. Junior right-hander Patrick Sullivan closed the game out and retired the first two batters he faced before Garrett Koster homered with two outs in the top of the ninth to end the no-hit bid for Carolina.
Sullivan would retire the next batter to preserve the Gamecock victory. Elon starting pitcher Kyle Webb suffered the loss and is now 1-1 on the year. He allowed five runs, three earned, on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks.