ATHENS - Sean Ruthven pitched seven-plus strong innings to help Georgia to a 5-1 win over South Carolina Friday night.<br>
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Ruthven (7-1) had seven strikeouts and allowed five hits. Will Startup, who earned his eighth save, ended an eighth inning threat by fanning the last two batters after the Gamecocks loaded the bases.<br>
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The Bulldogs (36-17, 18-10 Southeastern Conference) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a Josh Morris two-run double.<br>
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In the fourth, Steven Tolleson scored when Landon Powell hit into a double play, cutting the lead to 2-1 for the Gamecocks (39-14, 16-12).<br>
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Georgia's Justin Holmes scored on an error and Jason Jacobs had an RBI single in the fifth. Holmes added a sacrifice fly in the sixth.<br>
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South Carolina starter Matt Campbell (8-4), who had nine strikeouts, gave up four runs, two earned, in 4 2-3 innings.
