South Carolina entered Thursday in "survival mode," desperate for an SEC win against Tennessee to improve on the team's worst conference start since 2012.
Thanks to some timely early hitting and solid outings from staff ace Adam Hill, returning from injury, and the bullpen, the Gamecocks (15-11, 2-5 SEC) got just that, cruising by the Volunteers 6-1 at Founders Park.
USC never trailed against UT, as junior shortstop LT Tolbert reached in the bottom of the first inning after being hit by a pitch, stole second, advanced to third on an error and then scored when junior catcher Chris Cullen drew a bases-loaded walk.