Despite a four-run eighth inning, South Carolina dropped the series opener against Vanderbilt 7-6.
Six of the Gamecocks' nine losses this season have now been decided by a one-run margin.
South Carolina starting pitcher Wil Crowe worked a clean first inning, but then allowed three consecutive singles to open the top of the second. With two aboard Vanderbilt catcher Jason Delay singled through the left side to give the Commodores an early 1-0 advantage. Right fielder Harrison Ray drove in a second run on a sacrifice-fly.
South Carolina catcher Chris Cullen deposited a double down the right field line to open the bottom half of the second. Freshman Carlos Cortes worked a full count with two outs to drive in Cullen on a single, cutting South Carolina's deficit to 2-1.
After adding an insurance run in the third, Vanderbilt plated three more runs in the top of the fifth. Center fielder Jeren Kendall initiated the rally with leadoff single. After Kendall stole second and moved up to third on a groundout, the Gamecocks seemingly caught a break when he was caught in a rundown between third and home. Third baseman Jonah Bride was called for interference on the play after tracking down Kendall from behind, enabling him to score. The Commodores extended their lead to 6-1 on a two-run triple by Delay.
South Carolina left fielder Alex Destino launched a solo home run into the Gamecocks' bullpen to start the bottom of the sixth. The homer marked Destino's fifth of the season to tie Jacob Olson for the team lead. Cortes popped up to the mound with two down to strand a pair of runners in scoring position.
Vanderbilt first baseman Julian Infante greeted Crowe with a home run on his first pitch in the seventh. The Commodores continued a make loud contact and chased Crowe with two outs. The right-hander allowed 11 hits and four earned runs.
Crowe had no problem finding the strike zone, starting 28 of 33 batters with a first-pitch strike. That consistency in the zone might have hurt Crowe a little, as Vanderbilt's hitters were routinely aggressive early in the count.
"He battled and competed and he deserved a better fate," South Carolina head coach Chad Holbrook said. "We could have played a little better behind him and he got a couple things that went against him."
Vanderbilt right-hander Patrick Raby scattered eight hits and recorded six strikeouts to improve to 5-3 on the season.
After scuffling with runners on-base against Raby, the Gamecocks found more success against the Commodores' bullpen. Second baseman LT Tolbert hit his first home run of the season on a line drive to right field, driving in three runs to trim Vanderbilt's advantage to 7-5. After going hitless on March 24 against Alabama, the sophomore has hit .500 over his last eight games.
Shortstop Madison Stokes muscled a single to center to score Olson later in the inning.
Bride drew a leadoff walk to open the bottom of the ninth and was pinch-run for by Danny Blair. The Gamecocks were unable to advance Blair beyond second base.
"I got a resilient group," Holbrook said. "And they're kids, they want to win in the worst way – one-run losses and tough losses – their tough, their difficult."
With the defeat South Carolina falls to 6-4 in SEC play. First pitch Friday is set for 7:00 p.m.