LSU rallies with 5 late runs to tie series vs. South Carolina. Game 3 canceled
No. 6 South Carolina was making it look easy — a little too easy.
A day after Mark Kingston’s Gamecocks blew out No. 1 LSU in primetime at Founders Park, the much-hyped Tigers finally broke through on Friday afternoon, showing why they’re so highly lauded.
Much like Game 1, the Gamecocks were in control the majority of Friday’s contest. But with two outs in the eighth inning, LSU second baseman Gavin Dugas drilled a game-tying grand slam to left field. An inning later, designated hitter Cade Beloso hit a go-ahead RBI single, capping off an 8-7, come-from-behind win for the nation’s top team. The loss was just the fourth of USC’s season (28-4, 9-2 SEC).
“LSU has a lot of depth, a lot of talent, and I think we’ve been doing a good job,” Kingston said. “But it’s a dangerous team, just like we’re a dangerous team. And if you’re not careful, if you help them a little bit, that’s what leads to a four-run inning, and that’s what happened.”
The third game of the series was scheduled to be played Saturday, but it was canceled — and will not be made up — with a day with heavy rain in the forecast. The series ended in a 1-1 tie.
USC seemed to have all the momentum at the start of Friday’s game. USC took advantage of erratic LSU starter Ty Floyd, who walked four and hit three batters in just three innings. A two-run double by catcher Cole Messina was the big hit early on, giving USC a 4-0 lead in the second. The Gamecocks would add three more runs against reliever Garrett Edwards in the fifth inning to push the lead to 7-3.
But the powerful Tigers would only stay dormant for so long. They struck in the fourth inning, finally cracking USC starter Jack Mahoney. Slugger Tommy White hit a solo home run to start the frame, and shortstop Jordan Thompson added a two-run shot. The grand slam by Dugas in the eighth against reliever Cade Austin was the back-breaking blow.
The Gamecocks had an opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth against reliever Gavin Guidry. Talmadge LeCroy hit a one-out bloop single, and Michael Braswell worked a two-out walk to put the potential game-tying run in scoring position. But pinch-hitter Caleb Denny struck out swinging to end the game.
The Gamecocks will look to bounce back from their first home loss of the season after starting 19-0 at Founders Park. They host USC Upstate on Tuesday night at Founders Park. Next weekend’s SEC series is on the road at Vanderbilt.
This story was originally published April 7, 2023 at 3:10 PM.
