COLUMBIA, S.C. (Interstat) — The Queens University of Charlotte Royals, a significant underdog according to advanced metrics, built a commanding early lead and then withstood a furious ninth-inning rally by South Carolina to secure a 9-8 victory over the Gamecocks on Wednesday night at Carolina Stadium.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 6-4 South Carolina win, and its ELO system gave the Gamecocks an 87.7% probability of victory. The Royals, however, defied those numbers with a six-run third inning and a stellar start from pitcher Adrian Quezada to even their season record at 4-4. South Carolina fell to 6-3.

The most critical sequence of the game came in the bottom of the ninth inning, as South Carolina nearly erased a five-run deficit. Trailing 9-4, the Gamecocks mounted a two-out rally against the Royals’ bullpen. After a run-scoring double by Sebastian Lizama and a sacrifice fly by Beau Hollins made it 9-6, center fielder Tyler Bak launched a two-run homer to right field, suddenly bringing the tying run to the plate. Queens reliever Davin Pollard was summoned and promptly struck out Blake Craddock swinging to end the game, stranding the potential tying run at first base.

Queens established control early against South Carolina starter Roman Chicoli. The Royals broke through in the second inning, scoring three runs on a two-run single by Logan Norris and an RBI single from David Schaefer, aided by a Gamecocks fielding error.

The visitors then delivered the decisive blow in the third. Following a single and a walk, first baseman Grayson Childers connected for a three-run homer to center field, extending the lead to 6-1 and chasing Chicoli. South Carolina reliever Patrick Dudley entered and halted the damage with 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out three, but the early hole was deep.

Queens added insurance runs in the sixth on a solo home run by pinch-hitter-turned-left fielder Mitchell Basterrechea and in the eighth on an RBI single from Tanner Mathay, making it 9-4.

The story for much of the game was the pitching of Queens’ Adrian Quezada. The right-hander earned the win with six strong innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out four. He effectively managed a potent South Carolina lineup, working around traffic to preserve the lead.

South Carolina’s offense, which out-hit Queens 14-10, was led by Tyler Bak, who went 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs. Aaron Jamison added a solo home run, and Beau Hollins drove in three runs. The Gamecocks chipped away with two runs in the fourth and single runs in the seventh and ninth, but they stranded 10 baserunners and hit into two double plays.

For Queens, Childers’ three RBIs on the home run were pivotal, while Basterrechea provided a key spark off the bench, finishing 2 for 2 with the homer. Josh Gregoire took the loss for South Carolina, allowing one run in two innings of relief.

The Royals now look ahead to a three-game home series against Army beginning Friday. South Carolina turns its attention to a pivotal three-game weekend series against in-state rival Clemson, starting Friday at Carolina Stadium.