FINAL: Big Hits Evade Gamecocks, Find Belmont, Leading To 11-2 Loss For Carolina
To this point in the season, Mark Kingston and the South Carolina Gamecocks have enjoyed relative prosperity in most of their games. Today's game, however, would be the first time that the Gamecocks found themselves down late and couldn't overcome missed chances offensively and big hits from the Bruins.
To start the game, the Gamecocks would miss some opportunities at the plate, having two runners on base and in scoring position in both the first and second innings, but couldn't get the ball out of the infield in either situation. On the mound, Dylan Eskew picked up right where he left off from last weekend, getting through the first three innings in just 36 pitches due to his high strike rate and allowing only one baserunner in the process.
The scoreless affair would be no more in the bottom of the 4th inning, as after a bunt by Dylan Brewer helped him get on base, Gavin Casas would tomahawk a 1-1 pitch into deep right field, scoring Brewer and giving the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead. However, that lead would be short-lived, as Eskew would lose command in the top of the 5th inning, walking the first batter he faced and hitting the second one, which was then followed by a two-RBI double from Michael Lareau and an RBI-sacrifice fly from Landon Godsey to give Belmont a 3-1 advantage.
Things would continue to snowball in the top of the 6th inning, as Dylan would give up a single and hit the next batter before Max Blessinger would hit a double to right field, scoring one run on its own before a throwing error by Ethan Petry would compound issues and allow another run to score, putting South Carolina down 5-1.
Although the Gamecocks would get a run back in the 6th inning, the Bruins would effectively slam the door shut in the top of the 8th inning, with Brodey Heaton hitting a two-run homer off of Chris Veach and Jack Rando batting in another run on a single. That sequence would make it 8-2, a score that would hold the rest of the way.
South Carolina now has to win a rubber match for the first time this season, and game three will start tomorrow at 1:30 PM ET.
You Might Also Like:
- ANALYSIS: A Look At South Carolina's 2024 Baseball Schedule
- Baseball Coaches Slot Gamecocks In The Middle Of The Pack In SEC East Preseason Poll
- Ethan Petry, Cole Messina Discuss How Petry Has Improved Over The Offseason
Join the community:
- Follow Andrew Lyon on Twitter: @ALyon_SC
- Follow Joseph Griffin on Twitter: @JosephGriffinJG
- Follow Arvon Bacon on Twitter: @baconnetworkllc
- Follow Locked On Gamecocks on Youtube or wherever you get your podcasts
You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @GamecocksDigest and our page on Facebook!