Closing out a four-game road trip, No. 7 South Carolina (18-7) traveled to Conway, South Carolina, and blew a two-run lead, losing 9-8 in extra innings to Coastal Carolina.
Leading 8-6 entering the eighth inning, Coastal Carolina evened the score on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch.
Three innings later, the Chanticleers would end the game in the 11th inning on a walk-off single to center field by junior second baseman Connor Owings that sent in the winning run.
Sophomore pitcher Taylor Widener took the loss for the Gamecocks, falling to 1-2 on the year. Coastal Carolina sophomore pitcher Andrew Beckwith earned the win for the Chanticleers.
South Carolina had a 10-game winning streak early last week, but the Gamecocks have since lost four out of their last five games. South Carolina lost to Winthrop at home last week before losing two games at Missouri last weekend.
With the loss, South Carolina saw the end of a six-game winning streak against the Chanticleers. The Gamecocks hadn’t lost to Coastal Carolina since 1995.
Coastal Carolina entered Tuesday’s game having won eight straight games and are now victors of their last nine contests. The Chanticleers now hold wins against Palmetto State powers South Carolina and Clemson.
A five-run fourth inning put Coastal Carolina ahead 6-2, and it looked like it would be a long night for South Carolina, considering the Gamecocks’ bats have struggled to drive in runs as of late.
However, South Carolina ended up with eight hits off of Coastal Carolina pitchers and an offensive explosion in the sixth inning by head coach Chad Holbrook’s team that gave the Gamecocks the lead. The Gamecocks scored four runs that inning and went ahead on double by senior first baseman Kyle Martin.
Junior second baseman Max Schrock led South Carolina with three hits, while also walking once.
Senior left fielder Elliott Caldwell also continued his success at the plate, driving in two runs while batting 1-4.
Still, South Carolina’s surprising productivity at the plate was all for naught.
Sophomore Josh Reagan started on the mound for South Carolina, giving up four runs in just three innings of work.
Sophomore pitcher Matthew Vogel also gave up two runs in relief.
As South Carolina made its comeback, sophomore pitcher Reed Scott pitched well for the Gamecocks, going four innings while surrendering two runs.
Still, South Carolina couldn’t protect its late lead as Coastal Carolina earned its 18th win of the season.
The game was played at Coastal Carolina’s brand new Springs Brooks Stadium. It was South Carolina’s first time playing on the road against Coastal Carolina since defeating the Chanticleers in the 2010 NCAA Super Regionals, the year the Gamecocks won their first of two national championships.
After losing two out of three games last weekend at Missouri, South Carolina hosts Georgia at Carolina Stadium for a three-game series.
Sophomore pitcher Wil Crowe is expected to start on Friday, while junior pitcher Jack Wynkoop should take the mound on Saturday. Holbrook will most likely call on freshman pitcher Clarke Schmidt to pitch on Sunday.
South Carolina lost two of its three games against Georgia last season.