Fifth ranked USC’s 16 game winning streak dating back to last season ended Friday night at 19th ranked Texas 4-1 when the normally reliable Gamecock bullpen could not keep the Longhorns off the board in the 8th inning. Texas broke a 1-1 tie with 3 runs off a combination of three Gamecock relievers, and the Gamecocks could not mount a rally in the 9th. USC falls to 11-1 on the season.
Thomas Farr gave the Gamecocks a chance by holding the Longhorns to 1 run over 6 innings. He scattered 7 hits and struck out a career high 10. But the Gamecocks hitters were equally stymied by Texas starter Ty Madden who allowed 1 run and 3 hits over 7 innings.
Both teams scored runs in the second inning. The Gamecocks got a sac fly from Brandon Wimmer and the Longhorns an RBI single from #9 hitter Mitchell Daly. Each got a runner to 2nd base in the 6th inning but neither was able to capitalize. The Longhorns also got a runner to second in the bottom of the 7th, but Gamecock reliever stranded runners at first and second with a strike out.
The Gamecocks went down in order in the 8th. Freshman Will Sanders replaced Mahoney on the mound and gave up a leadoff triple followed by a walk and a stolen base. Zach Zubia then broke the tie with a double down the right field line that scored both baserunners.
Parker Coyne relieved Sanders and walked his first batter. A bunt advanced the runners to second and third. Mark Kingston brought in John Gilreath to face pinch hitter DJ Petrinsky, and Petrinsky singled to center to plate the third run of the inning. A double play ended the inning with Texas up 4-1.
Aaron Nixon took over for Madden in the top of the 8th and limited the Gamecocks to 1 hit over his two innings and struck out 3 to earn the win.
Game two of the series will be Saturday at 3:30 PM on the Longhorn Network.
