Bangs’ 2-run homer helps South Carolina rout George Mason 11-3 in NCAA tournament

Bangs leads Gamecocks past George Mason, 11-3

GREENVILLE, N.C. — Parker Bangs’ two-run homer keyed a four-run fourth inning, leading South Carolina to an 11-3 victory over George Mason on Friday in an NCAA tournament opener.

Nick Ebert and Jackie Bradley Jr. also homered for the Gamecocks (39-21), who had 17 hits and took advantage of four errors by the Patriots (42-13) in advancing in the double-elimination Greenville regional.

Chris Henderson drove in two runs for George Mason, which lost its third in a row. The Patriots’ only victory in the NCAA tournament came in 1992.

Sam Dyson struck out five in seven innings for the Gamecocks, who are in the tournament for the 10th straight year.