 "Photo: Juan Blas/The Daily Gamecock")
 "Photo: Juan Blas/The Daily Gamecock")
For the next week, Daily Gamecock Sports Editor Chris Cox will follow the South Carolina baseball team on its trek towards the 2009 NCAA Baseball Tournament. Follow online at DailyGamecock.com and on the Gamecock Twitter at Twitter.com/TDG_Sports as Chris brings in-depth analysis of the 2009 SEC Baseball Tournament.
HOOVER, Ala. -- South Carolina loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth for the second consecutive game and failed to plate a run as the Gamecocks fell to LSU 4-1 in an elimination game at the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala.
"We had a pretty good situation going there and we just weren't able to do anything," USC coach Ray Tanner said. "We had some opportunities, but you have to give LSU some credit."
Yesterday, Carolina trailed Vanderbilt by a single run and loaded the bases with only one out, but first baseman Nick Ebert popped out and catcher Justin Dalles struck out swinging to end the game.
"It's frustrating, but that's baseball," centerfielder DeAngelo Mack said. "You've got to tip your hat off to LSU. They played real hard."
It was the same case on Friday, as Ebert and designated hitter Jeffery Jones flew out and pinch-hitter Michael Roth struck out looking to end the contest.
USC was competitive against the Tigers throughout the contest, as freshman southpaw Nolan Belcher (4-4) battled SEC Pitcher of the Year Louis Coleman (11-2) to a scoreless tie after five innings of play.
"I'm so proud of Belcher. He came out here and did an unbelievable job against the No. 2 team in the country," Merrifield said. "It's just a shame we couldn't give him more run support."
However, LSU broke through in the top of the sixth as three consecutive singles plated two for the Bayou Bengals- a lead that would hold firm until the end of the contest.
With run support behind him, Coleman continued to work his mastery against the Carolina offense. The senior right-hander dominated USC's bats, finishing the game with six strikeouts in eight innings en route to his 11th victory of the season- most on the LSU roster.
"He's the SEC Pitcher of the Year and he showed you why," Tanner said. "We ended up with a few hits but he's very, very good. It's just hard to muster up any offense."
Down two more runs heading into the bottom of the eighth, Tanner decided to pinch-hit reserve utility player Brady Thomas for catcher Kyle Enders. The move didn't disappoint, as the Florida State transfer launched his first career homerun to right field, drawing the Gamecocks within three at 4-1.
That set the stage for the ninth inning, where USC looked to rebound from a similar situation the night before. Unfortunately for the Gamecocks, SEC Co-Freshman of the Year Matty Ott was able to stave off the Carolina attack, grabbing his 14th save of the season in the process.
"He came in and he closed the door. I thought we had a little momentum going," Mack said. "I thought we were going to get maybe two, three runs, maybe tie it up. Unfortunately, it didn't happen for us. But he's a good pitcher and he battled for them."
The Gamecocks now await word on their postseason destination. The NCAA Tournament's 16 host sites will be announced on Sunday at 3:30 pm. The entire field of 64 will be announced on Monday at 12:30 pm on ESPN.
"Just to be in a regional is an awesome feeling," Merrifield said. "Hopefully the committee will think about us as a host, but if not then we'll have to win on the road like we've done all year."
Stay tuned to DailyGamecock.com to find out where the Gamecocks will play.
Day Three scores: Arkansas 10, Florida 7 (Florida Eliminated) LSU 4, USC 1 (South Carolina Eliminated)
Day Four schedule: Arkansas vs. Vanderbilt 11 a.m. EST LSU vs. Georgia 2:30 p.m. EST Arkansas vs. Vanderbilt (IF NECESSARY) 6 p.m. EST LSU vs. Georgia (IF NECESSARY) 9:30 p.m. EST
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