South Carolina baseball dropped its fifth straight game on Tuesday, falling 11-8 to Charlotte at Founders Park. The Gamecock pitching staff gave up 13 free bases, and the defense committed five errors in the loss.
The Gamecocks took a four-run lead in the third inning after singles from junior centerfielder Tyler Bak and junior first baseman Patrick Evans started the inning. Freshman second baseman Will Craddock blasted his fifth home run of the season to give South Carolina the lead.
Back-to-back doubles from fifth-year catcher Talmadge LeCroy and sophomore shortstop KJ Scobey tacked on another run in the third for the Gamecocks, pushing the lead to 4-0 after three innings.
Charlotte responded in the fourth inning after a walk and two singles loaded the bases with no outs. A sacrifice fly and an RBI single cut the deficit in half, 4-2 for the 49ers.
A one-out triple from Bak gave South Carolina an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bak scored off an RBI single from junior third baseman Dawson Harman to give the Gamecocks a 5-3 lead after four innings.
The 49ers cut into the lead once again at the top of the fifth inning after an RBI double from senior first baseman Cody Gunderson added a run. Gunderson later scored on a dropped fly ball by Scobey.
Charlotte took its first lead of the game in the fifth after the 49ers loaded the bases following an error and two walks. A bases-loaded walk and a grand slam by senior outfielder Todd Hudson gave the 49ers a 9-5 lead.
South Carolina responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning after three straight walks loaded the bases with no outs. A bases-loaded walk, a fielder’s choice and a throwing error put the Gamecocks down 9-8.
A walk and a single put runners on the corners with no outs at the top of the eighth inning for Charlotte. The 49ers added an insurance run after a throwing error by Craddock pushed Charlotte out 10-8.
The 49ers added one more run at the top of the ninth inning after a hit-by-pitch and a walk put runners on, with a throwing error tacking on the 11th run of the game for Charlotte to secure the 11-8 win against South Carolina.
What’s next?
South Carolina hosts No. 4 Arkansas for a three-game series starting Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed on SEC Network+.