After shutting down USC for 8.1 innings, Kentucky leftie Tommy Warner gave up the homer and picked up a seat on the bench. Reliever Matt Robinson didn't fare much better, allowing a Reese Havens' RBI. Andrew Albers got the Wildcats out of the quickly-creeping quicksand, and into position to dig themselves out of the late hole.

Gamecock closer Wynn Pelzer quickly allowed a solo homer by Mike Brown and loaded the bases, Kentucky licking its comeback chops. But junior outfielder Billy Grace struck out swinging and Pelzer was saved by a pop fly by Ryan Wilkes. Willard made the play in right field and came sprinting in to his cheering teammates -- with eight hits, four runs and no errors, the Gamecocks took a solid win over the 'Cats, with two runs, five hits and two errors.

Now South Carolina waits to meet the Vanderbilt-Georgia winner of the early afternoon game, but they've already made their mark with a win over one of the SEC's regular season champs.