South Carolina falls short of sweep with run-rule loss to Ole Miss in series finale

South Carolina’s series finale against Ole Miss started eerily similar to the game that took place the day before.

On Friday, Hayden Federico battled Jake McCoy to a full count to lead off the contest. Federico would launch a pitch over the right-field fence later in the at bat to give the Rebels and early 1-0 lead.

On Saturday, Mitchell Sanford led off for Ole Miss, while Jarvis Evans Jr. started on the mound for the Gamecocks. Sanford also hit a leadoff home run on a 3-2 pitch – this time, to left field.

It wouldn’t get much better for South Carolina, as it eventually allowed seven runs in the game’s opening inning. The Gamecocks, who headed into Saturday looking for their first series sweep in SEC play this season, will have to wait a little longer to accomplish the feat after a 12-2 run-rule loss to wrap up its series against the No. 11-ranked Rebels.

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After Sanford’s solo shot, Evans Jr. failed to retire the next four batters he faced. He got ahead in the count to Luke Hill but threw four straight balls to give him a free base. Singles allowed to Ole Miss’ (28-12, 10-8 SEC) next three batters prompted his removal from the game after throwing 23 pitches and failing to record an out.

South Carolina (23-18, 4-14 SEC) required two more pitchers to get out of the inning. Parker Marlatt, who inherited a bases-loaded jam, allowed a grand slam before getting two flyouts and walking another batter. Matthew Becker then walked three consecutive Rebels hitters, ushering in another run, before striking out Judd Utermark to end the frame.

Becker would remain in the game for the next four innings and have a solid performance over the course of his outing. Despite giving five total free passes, he allowed just three hits and one run while striking out six batters. That lone run came on a solo home run by Will Furniss to lead off the sixth inning.

In the other dugout, Mason Nichols also had a strong individual display as the Rebels’ starting hurler. Nichols allowed three hits and two earned runs across five innings pitched, striking out and walking three batters each.

The Gamecocks’ offense went dormant for most of the contest, but it proved to be dangerous on multiple occasions.

South Carolina scored its first runs in the second inning. Jace Woita drew a four-pitch walk to begin the frame, bringing Beau Hollins to the plate. The freshman first baseman rocketed the first pitch of the at bat 394 feet and over the fence in right-center field for a two-run homer.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Gamecocks had runners on first and second with two outs after Nathan Hall and Will Tippett reached base on a fielder’s choice and throwing error, respectively. Jordan Carrion had an opportunity to bring more runs home to score, but he struck out looking to end the threat.

All the while, the Gamecocks’ pitchers continued to struggle with command – and keeping the ball away from opposing bats.

Tyler Pitzer relieved Becker in the top of the sixth inning but, like Evans Jr., left the game without recording an out. He walked three batters during that span, two of whom eventually scored on an RBI single by Federico.

Ole Miss then strung together four hits and scored two runs in the top of the frame and delivered a clean bottom of the frame to clinch the run-rule victory in the seventh.

Over the course of the contest, South Carolina allowed 13 hits and 10 walks.

Up next

The Gamecocks will look to return to winning ways with a midweek contest against North Florida on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the game will be made available for streaming on the SEC Network Plus.

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