Grayson Greiner walks off again, #1 South Carolina tops App State 2-1

June 9, 2013; Cary, NC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks catcher Grayson Greiner (21) bats against the North Carolina Tarheels during the Chapel Hill Super Regional at Boshamer Stadium. The South Carolina Gamecocks won 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

What could South Carolina Gamecocks junior catcher Grayson Greiner do for an encore after beating the Tennessee Volunteers with a walk-off grand slam the other day at Carolina Stadium? How about another walkoff.

Greiner lined a game-winning pinch hit single to right with one out in the bottom of the ninth to fend off the App State upset bid and give the top-ranked Gamecocks a 2-1 home victory.

This one was a struggle, though, for the home team (25-3, 22-1 at home).

The Mountaineers pitching staff looked strong throughout, holding the Gamecocks bats at bay, except for Connor Bright (3-4, RBI). In fact, it was Bright who brought in South Carolina’s first run of the game in the bottom of the 4th.

But Evan Beal was better, twirling a gem through five and a third shutout innings, allowing two hits and walking none while striking out three. It wasn’t until he was lifted in the 6th that the Mountaineers found the scoreboard, thanks to a Josh Reagan misthrow on a pickoff attempt and a Jaylin Davis RBI single to knot it up.

That, though, would set up the final events in the 9th. Bright would single and advance on a sac bunt. Greiner, who had the night off, would step up and line a payoff pitch to right to set off the celebration.

Vince Fiori picked up the win as he pitched one and a third innings of perfect relief. Taylor Thurber (2.1 IP, 1 R, 3 H) was the hard-luck loser.

The Gamecocks hit the road to travel to Arkansas as they commence SEC play. First pitch is set for 8pm ET on Thursday (nationally televised on ESPNU), 7:35pm ET on Friday and 7pm ET Saturday.