South Carolina blows late lead to LSU in series-evening loss

Through the first 16 innings against LSU, South Carolina’s pitching staff had been great against an ever-dangerous top of the Tiger lineup. 

Gamecocks pitchers found ways to navigate trouble against the top four hitters more often than not, but it was only a matter of time before it broke through.

It did at the worst possible time for South Carolina with Gavin Dugas launching a game-tying grand slam with two away in the 8th inning and a RBI single in the ninth in an 8-7 loss to LSU in the first game of a doubleheader to even the series.

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“It’s a good team. They’re ranked number one so there’s a lot of depth and a lot of talent. I think we’ve been doing a good job but it’s a dangerous team just like we’re a dangerous team,” Mark Kingston said. “If you’re not careful and help them a little bit that’s what leads to a four-run inning.” 

It’s South Carolina’s first loss in 20 home games.

The homer was set up by a laborious outing for Cade Austin, who went full to the first three batters he faced while walking two.

South Carolina opted to ride with their veteran deliver after that, opting for him over Eli Jones who was warming in the bullpen.

“We thought about it but Cade’s our guy. He’s done it so many times. Cade deserves the right to get out of it once he got into it. We weren’t going to go with him too much longer,” Kingston said.

“The next guy up was Eli Jones and he pitched this week multiple times. We wanted to give the ball to Cade and let him get his three outs like he generally does 99 percent of the time. It just didn’t work out.” 

He’d give up a two-out single to load the bases before Dugas’ launched the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence. 

“Cade’s been there for us a ton. He’s helped us win a ton of games but just wasn’t his day today,” Kingston said. “We have his back and we’ll be very eager to go to him the next time he gets that opportunity.”

It spoiled what was a largely productive day for the Gamecocks (28-4, 9-2 SEC) against some of LSU’s best arms not named Paul Skenes. 

The Gamecocks loaded the bases in the second inning without the benefit of a hit, plating two thanks to a pair of hit-by-pitches from Gavin Casas and Ethan Petry. 

Cole Messina delivered South Carolina’s first hit, a two-run double, to cap a four-run second inning. The Gamecocks would chase starter Ty Floyd after four innings then put up three runs on LSU’s bullpen the rest of the way. 

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The Gamecocks added some cushion at the time with a three-run fifth, loading the bases and getting a single, walk and a run-plating double play. 

South Carolina had a chance to break the game open in the seventh, loading the bases for the third time in the game but couldn’t get anything out of it.

Braylen Wimmer just missed a two-out grand slam, flying out to the wall in right field. LSU would tie the game the following inning and win it in the ninth. 

LSU scored the winning run thanks to a full-count walk, a groundout and wild pitch that moved the runner followed by a Cade Beloso RBI single. 

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A stout Gamecocks bullpen ultimately gave up five runs, all earned. Chris Veach had an electric outing where he threw three scoreless innings, not allowing a hit with five strikeouts and three walks. 

South Carolina got the go-ahead on base and the tying run into scoring position in the ninth inning but Caleb Denny struck out to end the game. 

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Up next: Game three, weather permitting, will start at noon Saturday. South Carolina has not named a starter yet. 

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