South Carolina entered its weekend series at Auburn riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak. But three games later, the Gamecocks are back below .500 after suffering a sweep at the hands of the Tigers, capped off by a 2-0 shutout, Sunday.
USC’s bats let them down, Sunday, as the Gamecocks failed to draw a walk or register an extra-base hit. Ace Will Sanders (5-2, 3.52) was good, giving up just two runs in five innings, but Auburn starter Joseph Gonzalez (6-0, 1.71) was even better. Gonzalez scattered seven singles and induced 11 groundouts over seven innings of work.
South Carolina threatened to break up the shutout in the eighth after Talmadge LeCroy and Colin Burgess opened the frame with back-to-back singles. But the Gamecocks came up empty after Brandt Belk fanned and Kevin Madden bounced into a double play. USC finished 1 of 15 with runners on base.
The Gamecocks (19-20, 6-11) will return to Founders Park and get right back into conference play with a three-game set against Alabama. Game 1 of the series is scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday.
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