Gamecocks drop third SEC series in four tries as Georgia starts strong, holds on
South Carolina baseball’s chances at winning its second SEC series dropped right out of the gate Sunday, as the Gamecocks (15-16, 4-8 SEC) fell behind 5-0 to No. 14 Georgia in the first inning on their way to a 13-9 loss at Founders Park.
“Out of this series, we really could’ve won all three games,” head coach Mark Kingston said. “All three games were there to be won at some point, so we’re going to have to move on and keep improving. I saw some positive things today.”
USC’s offense worked to make it interesting down the stretch after going the first three innings without a hit. Led by production from the top of the order, the Gamecocks took advantage of the Bulldogs’ bullpen troubles and put up 11 hits throughout the contest.
Fifth-year senior Brandt Belk’s three hits included a three-run home run in the sixth that brought South Carolina within four. Fifth-year Andrew Eyster also added three hits and two RBIs, including a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth. Junior Braylen Wimmer added two hits with an RBI, while freshman Talmadge LeCroy scored twice with two walks and a single.
“I feel like we improve every day,” Belk said. “The thing about offense is, hitting comes and goes. That’s just baseball. You can have some of the best offenses have a terrible day, and you can have some of the worst offenses have a great day. I know we’re a solid offense, 1 through 9.”
The Gamecocks’ pitching staff, marred with injuries all season, went with a by-committee approach against Georgia (24-8, 8-4 SEC) after bringing Sunday starter Matthew Becker out of the bullpen in the seventh inning of Saturday’s game. Becker pitched 2.2 innings Saturday and didn’t pitch Sunday.
“Right now, it’s just a decision we had to make,” Kingston said. “If we had that one more guy right now ... if we can find that one more guy that we can hand the ball to, then we won’t have to try to get creative there.”
USC freshman right-handed pitcher Aidan Hunter saw his second career start in the Sunday rubber match. Though he performed well in Wednesday’s win over North Carolina, allowing three hits and one run with six strikeouts and two walks to the Tar Heels, Hunter didn’t fare as well against the Bulldogs.
Hunter allowed Georgia to get off to an early lead with four consecutive singles capped off by a three-run home run from the Bulldogs’ Chaney Rogers. Hunter didn’t allow any more runs after the first inning but was replaced by junior Michael Esposito in the fourth.
Esposito had a tough outing, failing to record an out and allowing a run before he was replaced by junior Brett Thomas. Thomas brought energy back to Founders Park by starting with two straight strikeouts, but the Bulldogs still added two more runs in the fourth.
Fifth-year senior John Gilreath came in for the sixth inning and allowed the Bulldogs load the bases with one out. Georgia brought four runners home in the sixth to extend its lead. Redshirt freshman Cade Austin kept the Bulldogs’ bats largely in check for the seventh, though he did allow a solo home run to UGA’s Corey Collins.
Cam Tringali and C.J. Weins closed the game for South Carolina, allowing no hits.
Kingston was optimistic after the game about Thomas, Tringali and Weins’ potential and said he was impressed with their performances against Georgia’s veteran offense.
The Gamecocks drop their third SEC series with Sunday’s loss to Georgia. After a Tuesday home game against North Florida, USC hosts Ole Miss at Founders Park in a Thursday-Friday-Saturday series.
Next USC baseball game
Who: South Carolina vs. North Florida
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Founders Park in Columbia
Watch: SEC Network Plus
This story was originally published April 10, 2022 at 3:47 PM.
