HOOVER, Ala. — Adam Matthews went 3-for-4 with two RBI as South Carolina built a five-run lead and held on to defeat Auburn 5-3 Thursday in the third round of the Southeastern Conference baseball tournament.

The Gamecocks play either Florida or Vanderbilt on Friday. The loss knocked Auburn out of the double-elimination tournament.

Matthews had RBI singles in both the fourth and fifth innings as South Carolina (40-16) jumped ahead 5-0.

Auburn (31-28) scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings to cut the lead to 5-3. But Matt Price retired the Tigers in order in the ninth for his 10th save.

Michael Roth (6-1) picked up the victory, while Cory Luckie (2-2) took the loss.

The Gamecocks had a total of 13 hits in the game, with LB Dantzler, Grayson Greiner and Chase Vergason getting two hits each.

Justin Bryant was 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Tigers.

Louisiana State 11, Mississippi 2: Jordy Snikeris homered, doubled and drove in four runs to power LSU past Mississippi in an elimination game.

Snikeris pinch-hit in the eighth and helped the Tigers (43-15) score seven runs in the final two innings.

Tyler Hanover went 4-for-5 and scored a pair of runs for LSU, while Austin Nola's three hits included an RBI double.

LSU starter Kevin Gausman (10-1) allowed two runs in seven innings, scattering seven hits.

Auston Bousfield had three hits, including a pair of doubles, to lead Ole Miss (35-24). His ground-rule double scored Zach Kirksey in the sixth and he doubled and scored in the first.

Alex Yarbrough had a pair of hits for the Rebels, who had allowed only a pair of runs in their first two SEC Tournament games.

LSU plays Mississippi State on Friday in another elimination game. The winner will advance to the semifinals Saturday to play Kentucky.

Vanderbilt 2, Florida 1: Vanderbilt designated hitter Riley Reynolds drove in both of the Commodores' runs Thursday. With the win, Vandy advances to Saturday's semifinals. Florida must play South Carolina in an elimination game Friday.