Gamecocks snap four-game losing streak in win over Wofford. No. 2 Texas is next

After four games away from Founders Park and four consecutive losses, South Carolina baseball got a home-cooked win and snapped its losing streak on Tuesday night.

The Gamecocks defeated Wofford 11-1 with the help of three multi-run innings. USC is now 2-0 against the Terriers this season after defeating them 8-2 in Spartanburg on Feb. 17. Freshman infielder Will Craddock walked the game off in the seventh inning with an RBI single which triggered the run rule.

“Certainly some things we need to improve on, but we pitched well, we swung the bats well, and it was a great night for us,” USC interim coach Monte Lee said.

USC will remain home to host No. 2 Texas for a three-game weekend series starting on Thursday.

Here are three takeaways from the midweek win:

Short outings for USC pitching staff

Junior left-handed pitcher Alex Valentin has spent the entire 2026 season in the USC (14-16, 1-8 SEC) bullpen, and has primarily served as the Gamecocks’ closer. He made his first start of the year against the Terriers (19-10, 3-0 SoCon).

Valentin threw 21 pitches on Sunday against Georgia, walking three batters and allowing one earned run in 0.2 innings. His midweek start was seemingly in an effort to reset and get his pitch count up closer to the 60 or so he usually throws in a weekend series. He threw one inning and 13 pitches Tuesday before he was replaced by sophomore righty Cooper Parks.

“His last outing, he was really amped up, and we just made a decision. Hey, look, he needs to throw. We’re going to throw him an inning. Why not just start him?” Lee said. “Let him come into a game and just pitch and go through the starters routine. He was very calm, cool, collected.”

It turns out all of USC’s pitchers were scheduled for quick appearances. Six different pitchers — Valentin, Parks, Riley Goodman, Patrick Dudley, Josh Gregoire and Elijah Foster — took the mound for the Gamecocks on Tuesday, with Parks’ two innings being the longest outing among the group. The USC staff combined for two hits and zero earned runs allowed while tossing nine strikeouts.

“We wanted to see what that looks like, especially on a short week, just to look at all of our potential options when it comes to what we want to do against Texas this weekend,” Lee said.

Will Craddock breaks things open

After a two-run first inning, offensive production slowed to a halt for the Gamecocks as they stranded seven runners through the first four innings.

Craddock broke things open in the fifth inning, hitting a home run with Talmadge LeCroy and Beau Hollins on base. The three-run homer gave the Gamecocks a 5-1 lead.

The offensive production was a welcome change for Craddock. The T.L. Hanna product began the year as one of USC’s best hitters but has struggled in recent games. The homer counted for his first RBI since March 17 against Charlotte.

“Craddock’s a really good player. He’s got some of the most talent I’ve ever seen out of a freshman,” senior outfielder Luke Yuhasz said. “He’s very mature for a freshman, shows up here every day. … He’s kind of been struggling, hasn’t been performing the way he has. For him to keep a positive mindset, to just keep grinding out at bats, just to see that happen for him was awesome.”

The Gamecocks kept the offense rolling as Tyler Bak followed up with a three-runI homer of his own in the same inning. USC led 8-1 after the fifth. It added two more runs in the sixth inning to make it 10-1.

Craddock finished 2-for-5 with four RBI.

Tyler Bak shines against former team

Bak, who transferred to USC from Wofford this past offseason, had about as good an offensive performance as one could ask for against their former team.

The junior outfielder went a 4-for-5 with three RBIs. It’s the first time he’s had four hits in a game at USC, and only the second time in his career. He did so once in two seasons at Wofford.

“I’ve got to be competitive,” Bak said. “Those aren’t my teammates anymore.”

South Carolina baseball upcoming schedule

• Thursday, April 2: vs. Texas, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
• Friday, April 3: vs. Texas, 7 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
• Saturday: April 4: vs. Texas, 2 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)

This story was originally published March 31, 2026 at 9:53 PM.