South Carolina baseball dropped its midweek contest to Queens 9-8 on Wednesday night at Founders Park, moving to 6-3 on the season.
Queens struck first and scored a trio of runs in the top of the second off of four hits and two errors to go up 3-0.
The Gamecocks quickly responded in the bottom of the second inning off an RBI single from sophomore first baseman Beau Hollins, cutting the lead to two at the end of the second inning.
Queens struck again in the top of the third off a three-run home run to deep center field from junior first baseman Grayson Childers to expand the Royals' lead to 6-1. In the top of the fourth, Queens scored off a sacrifice fly to push the lead to six runs.
South Carolina responded in the bottom of the fourth after loading the bases with no outs. Hollins knocked an RBI single to give the Gamecocks a run, and they added another run after an RBI groundout from junior outfielder Tyler Bak.
Junior outfielder Aaron Jamison hit a double to deep left field to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning, and he was followed up by a single from fifth-year catcher Talmadge LeCroy. However, Queens neutralized the Gamecocks' threat, recording three straight outs and stranding the Gamecock baserunners.
Queens added a one-out solo home run from junior outfielder Mitchell Basterrechea in the top of the sixth inning to extend its lead to 8-3.
“We got in the hole and just a little bit too much to overcome,” Gamecock head coach Paul Mainieri said.
South Carolina started the bottom of the seventh inning with a lead-off home run into the Gamecocks' bullpen in right-center field from Jamison. This was followed by a 16-pitch at bat from LeCroy, who eventually walked but was unable to score.
The top of the eighth inning showed more bad news for the Gamecocks, as the Royals drove in an RBI-single from junior right fielder Thomas Mathay. This caused Mainieri to bring in his sixth pitcher of the game.
The Gamecocks got some runners on in the bottom of the ninth, scoring two off an RBI double from senior designated hitter Ethan Lizama and a sacrifice fly from Hollins. Bak sailed a ball deep to right field for a home run with two outs to cut the lead to 9-8.Freshman infielder Will Craddock struck out, ending the Gamecocks' effort at a comeback.
Pitching woes halt Gamecocks' momentum
South Carolina’s pitching did not have a good night, giving up nine runs and 10 hits. The Gamecocks had to use six different pitchers, which is not ideal with a three-game series this weekend.
Consistency still an issue
The Gamecocks are now 6-3 on the year, with losses to Northern Kentucky, Army and now Queens. South Carolina has won five of its six wins by two runs or more; however, the Gamecocks have gotten into holes in two of their last four games.
“It's a long season, and we've just got to keep getting better,” Mainieri said. “There's obviously areas we need to improve in and get more consistent in.”
What's next?
The Gamecocks will take on No. 15 Clemson this weekend in the annual rivalry series. Clemson has swept the last two years' series, and the Gamecocks are looking for their first win in the matchup since 2023. The series kicks off on Friday at 7 p.m. at Founders Park, and it will be streamed on SECN+.