TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – TJ Hopkins had 3 hits and scored the game-winning run, George Callil made a tremendous diving grab to keep the game alive and Brett Kerry pitched 5 ⅔ scoreless innings to earn the win as the University of South Carolina baseball team picked up a 5-4, 12-inning win over Alabama Saturday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

South Carolina scored the winning run in the top of the 12th. Hopkins walked with 1 out and stole 2nd on a strikeout. He advanced to 3rd and scored on a pair of wild pitches.

The Crimson Tide almost won the game in the bottom of the 11th. Kerry retired the 1st 2 batters in order, but a throwing error put a runner on second base. Brett Auerbach then hit a liner to the left side that looked like it was going to get through, but Callil made a sprawling grab to keep the game going to the 11th.

Kerry allowed 2 hits and struck out 4 with one walk in the 5 ⅔  innings of work. Cam Tringali started his 1st ever game for South Carolina. He allowed 4 hits and 4 runs with two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Fellow former Lexington County Blowfish pitcher  T.J. Shook of Dutch Fork struck out a pair in 2 innings of relief.

The Gamecocks scored a pair of runs in each of the first 2 innings. In the first, Noah Campbell led off the game with a single. He scored all the way from 1st as Hopkins' single turned into a 2-base error.

Hopkins came across on a Luke Berryhill single. In the second, Chris Cullen doubled to lead off the frame. He went to 3rd on Brady Allen's single. Alabama loaded the bases, intentionally walking Campbell. George Callil drove in a run with a single through the left side and Hopkins brought in Campbell with a single to left center.

Alabama (22-11, 4-8) cut the lead in half in the third as Keith Holcombe's double scored 2 runs. The Crimson Tide then tied the contest in the fifth on Morgan McCullough's 2-run single off Shook..

Hopkins had three hits, while Campbell had a pair of singles to lead South Carolina. Both players also scored a pair of runs.

Up next for South Carolina (19-13, 3-9) is a home matchup Tuesday against Charlotte. The 7 p.m. game will be streamed by SEC Network +.