South Carolina’s bullpen surrendered seven runs, five earned, as the Gamecocks dropped the series finale at Missouri 10-3 on Sunday. Despite its struggles, the pitching staff didn’t get a lot of help from USC’s batters as the Gamecocks rapped out just four hits against a trio of Missouri hurlers. With the loss, Carolina falls to 13-14 overall and 3-6 in SEC play, while the Tigers improved to 17-8 and 3-6 in the league.
USC took a 1-0 lead in the first as Brandt Belk singled, stole second and third, before scoring on Braylen Wimmer’s sacrifice fly to right. The lead was short-lived as Missouri plated a run in the bottom of the inning on a Luke Mann solo home run. Josiah Sightler quickly responded for the Gamecocks with his third homer of the season to retake a one-run lead in the second. However, the Tigers would seize control of the game with a pair of runs in the fifth, three in the sixth, and a four spot in the eighth inning.
Austin Marozas was terrific on the mound for Missouri, striking out ten, while allowing just two runs, to record his first victory of the season. Carter Rustad worked two scoreless innings to notch his first save. USC starter Matthew Becker was plagued by five walks, forcing his pitch count up to 104 in just four and a third innings. The freshman also threw three wild pitches, while giving up three runs to take the loss. Parker Coyne, John Gilreath, and Brett Thomas combined to toss the final 3.2 innings, allowing five earned runs (four by Thomas) on ten hits with five strikeouts.
The Gamecocks travel to Charlotte on Tuesday for their border matchup with North Carolina. First pitch is set for 7pm on ACC Network Extra.
