The slump for USC continued Friday night as the Gamecocks were shutout for the first time all season managing just three hits in a 5-0 loss to Tennessee. The Gamecocks, who have lost eight of their last ten SEC games, have scored seven runs over their last five league games. They’ve dropped seven of eight overall.
The story of the night was Tennessee junior righthander Andrew Lindsey (2-2). He allowed the Gamecocks just three hits over 8.1 innings. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. Of the 26 batters he faced, Lindsey got to three balls only six times. He threw 103 pitches, 68 for strikes, and lowered his ERA to 2.22.
Aaron Combs finished up for the Vols in the bottom of the ninth and struck out both hitters he faced. Lindsey and Combs combined to retire the last 19 USC hitters they faced.
Eli Jones (4-4) started for USC and allowed seven hits and four runs over four innings. Mark Kingston used four other pitchers but saved all of his top remaining arms for the doubleheader on Saturday.
USC’s best chance to score was in the bottom of the first. With two away, Cole Messina singled, stole second and went to third on a throwing error by the catcher. But Ethan Petry struck out to end the inning. The Gamecocks didn’t get a player past second the rest of the night.
The Gamecocks drop to 37-16 overall and 15-12 in the SEC. The loss eliminates USC from a spot in the top four in the final SEC standings meaning the Gamecocks will have to play Tuesday in the single elimination round of the SEC Tournament.
