USC’s run of success thru the SEC came to an end Friday night as the pitching by top ranked Arkansas proved to be too much in a 5-1 win at Founders Park in game two of the day-night doubleheader. The Gamecocks won the opener 6-2 and were looking to win their fifth straight SEC series. But the Razorbacks’ pitching combination of Patrick Wicklander for the first seven innings, and Kevin Kopps for the final two, was too much for Gamecock hitters.
Wicklander (2-1) allowed one run and two hits over seven innings. He struck out five and didn’t walk a batter. 62 of his 83 pitches went for strikes. Kopps, who pitched three perfect innings and struck out six on Thursday night, pitched two more perfect innings striking out all six batters he faced. 18 of his 25 pitches were strikes.
Arkansas scored all the runs it would need off Gamecock starter Will Sanders (6-2) with two runs in the third. The Gamecocks scored their only run in the bottom of the inning on a home run by Brady Allen. That would be the last hit of the game for USC.
The Razorbacks, who lead the nation in home runs, got a two run homer from Cayden Wallace in the fifth. The Hogs out homered the Gamecocks 4-1 in the series.
Arkansas added an unearned run in the seventh to close out the scoring.
For the series, the Gamecocks were 13 of 84 at the plate for a .146 average. Arkansas pitching racked up 29 strikeouts in the three games.
Gamecock pitching also was good allowing just 20 hits and 10 earned runs in the series against one of the best hitting teams in the country. The Gamecocks did commit five errors.
USC falls to 25-13 overall and 11-7 in the SEC. The Gamecocks will host The Citadel Tuesday night.
