No. 13 South Carolina (21-11) continued to struggle this past weekend, dropping two of three games on the road against a tough Mississippi State team.
The series opened early on Thursday at Dudy Noble Field in Starksville where the Gamecocks were looking to clinch a series win agianst a SEC team after losing their previous two conference series. However, Thursday ended in an unruly 13-2 loss against the Bulldogs.
Friday was no different as South Carolina fell behind early and failed to complete a rally, losing 7-5. A 13-7 win on Sunday was not enough to bring home the series win.
The series loss drops the Gamecocks to 6-6 in conference play.
Game One:
It only took the Bulldogs three innings on Thursday to gain an eight-run lead against the Gamecocks, dominating on the mound and at the plate to win 13-2.
Senior Elliott Caldwell continued his hot play, going 2-for-4 in the game. Sophomore right-hander Wil Crowe failed to protect his team from the hits.
Crowe was relieved after surrendering seven earned runs in just 2.2 innings and only managing two strikeouts.
Game Two:
Although the Gamecocks did not win this game, many accomplishments were made by individuals in their 7-5 loss.
In the top of the second inning Caldwell managed to hit a triple to left field and later scored on an RBI groundout by freshman Alex Destino. Shortly after, the game was delayed by rain for 53 minutes.
A throwing error by sophomore shortstop Jordan Gore gave Mississippi State the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second. The error "opened the floodgates" for the Bulldogs, who scored four more runs in the frame.
Trailing 6-1, junior Max Schrock hit a double and scored on senior Kyle Martin'ssingle.
With the score 7-2 in the top of the seventh inning, junior DC Arendas hit his first home run of the year, a solo shot.
Caldwell's double in the eighth inning scored Gore and made the score 7-4. Martin scored on another Destino groundout to draw the Gamecocks within two. However, the offense stalled from there and the team dropped the contest 7-5.
Junior Jack Wynkoop took the loss, pitching 6.1 innings and giving up seven runs, though just one was earned. The loss dropped Wynkoop to 4-3 on the season.
Game Three:
A 13-7 Saturday win should give South Carolina a bit of momentum heading into midweek home games against Appalachian State and The Citadel.
The Gamecocks' starting nine managed to all gain at least one hit for this game.
Holbrook was appreciative of his offense Saturday as they looked more alive, giving their pitcher an easier game to win.
Schrock managed a career-high in hits going 5-6 including a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Freshman Clarke Schmidt started the game for South Carolina but was quickly relieved by freshman Brandon Murray. Murray pitched a career-high 5.2 innings, giving up two earned runs to improve his record to 4-0 on the season.
South Carolina scored season-high 13 runs and tied a season high with 15 hits.
“One game doesn’t really show who you are ... you can’t just win one game here one game there.” Holbrook said.