Thomas’ single lifts S.C. past Oklahoma

Associated Press

OMAHA, NEB.

Brady Thomas singled in the winning run in the 12th inning and South Carolina eliminated Oklahoma from the College World Series with a 3-2 win Thursday night.

The Gamecocks (50-16) were down to their last strike against closer Ryan Duke when Jackie Bradley’s full-count base hit past first baseman Cameron Seitzer brought in Robert Beary from second to tie it.

Duke walked Jeffery Jones before Thomas drove his first pitch into center field, scoring Bradley from second and touching off a celebration in the middle of the infield.

Oklahoma (50-18) took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 12th on Tyler Ogle’s homer off Ethan Carter.

Tyler Webb (3-2), the Gamecocks’ sixth pitcher, got the win after relieving Carter.

South Carolina plays in-state rival Clemson in the Bracket 2 final tonight. The Gamecocks would have to beat Clemson twice to reach next week’s best-of-three championship round.

Caleb Bushyhead’s RBI single in the second put OU up 1-0, and Sooners starter Zach Neal pitched seven shutout innings before South Carolina broke through to tie it in the eighth.

Ogle’s blast in the 12th, which barely cleared the wall in right center, came after the Sooners were held scoreless for nine straight innings.