South Carolina drops series finale against Kentucky, despite late comeback attempt

South Carolina found itself in a unique situation heading into its series finale against Kentucky. Win game three, and the Gamecocks would clinch its second series win in as many weeks for the first time since their schedule transitioned to SEC play.

Momentum appeared to be on South Carolina’s side, based on play from the night before. After falling 7-3 in the first game of its doubleheader against the Wildcats, it clinched the second game on an eighth-inning go-ahead home run by Will Tippett to make the score 5-4.

That momentum carried early into Sunday’s game between the two teams until an offensive explosion by Kentucky in the fourth inning flipped it in the opposite direction. Despite that, the Gamecocks still made a late comeback attempt, but the Wildcats held on to win 11-5 and clinch the series.

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South Carolina (25-20, 5-16 SEC) kept Kentucky’s (25-16, 10-11 SEC) offense at bay with strong defensive plays early in the contest. In the bottom of the first inning, Carson Hansen attempted to steal second base after reaching base via a walk. But Gavin Braland successfully threw him out to end the frame.

KJ Scobey made a highlight-reel play of his own one inning later. Cole Hage made contact with an offering from South Carolina starting pitcher Dylan Eskew with the knob of his bat. Scobey charged the ball, grabbed it with his bare hand, and threw it to Beau Hollins at first base before Hage got there.

The Gamecocks also became the first team to tack a run on the scoreboard in the third inning. After Tippett walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch, he touched home plate on an RBI single by Braland to put South Carolina up 1-0.

The Wildcats’ bats awoke from their slumber and provided a response immediately afterward. Luke Lawrence launched a solo home run over the right-field fence to tie the game. James McCoy hit a single in the subsequent at bat, but the Gamecocks recorded two outs to end the threat.

For just that inning, at least. Kentucky’s offense truly came alive in the bottom of the fourth inning, where it scored five total runs.

Eskew began the frame on the mound but was relieved after allowing a single to Hage and walking Devin Burkes. But things did not fare better for Jackson Soucie after he emerged from the bullpen. Soucie gave up three singles, one bases-loaded double and two consecutive double steals, in addition to hitting one batter, which helped the Wildcats take a 6-1 lead. He then exited the contest without recording an out, and Parker Marlatt got South Carolina out of the inning.

Defensive breakdowns in the sixth inning allowed Kentucky to add another run to its advantage. Matthew Becker, who entered the game in relief of Marlatt, committed a fielding error after he could not corral an underhand flip from Hollins at first base. After Lawrence advanced to second base, both Becker and Nathan Hall committed throwing errors on a failed pickoff attempt that resulted in a score.

But as the game went along, the Gamecocks threatened to make a comeback on multiple occasions.

In the sixth inning, Evan Stone and Henry Kaczmar drew-full count walks before Hall launched an RBI single through the left side of the infield. The bases eventually loaded once Dalton Mashore came to the plate, and he drove in another run on a fielder’s choice.

South Carolina appeared most threatening in the eighth inning, when it, at one point, had the lead-taking run at the plate. With two outs and a runner on first and third, Scobey singled and brought Kennedy Jones home to score. Cayden Gaskin followed suit with a run-scoring single of his own.

Jace Woita, representing that lead-taking run, then singled after the Wildcats made another pitching change. But as Scobey attempted to score from third base, a throw from the outfield reached home plate well before he did, and he was called out.

Kentucky went on to score four more runs in the bottom of the frame and pitched a clean ninth inning to solidify the win.

Up next

South Carolina will return to Founders Park for a midweek contest against Charleston Southern on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the game will be streamed on the SEC Network Plus.

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