Mississippi State shuts down Gamecocks’ offense 6-0, USC drops fourth straight series in SEC play

South Carolina didn’t put up much of a fight in its 6-0 loss to Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., Sunday. The Gamecocks mustered just two hits and one walk in an anemic offensive performance.

Nathan Hall opened the game with a single to left but was stranded on first base. USC didn’t register another hit until there were two outs in top of the ninth, when Blake Jackson was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double to end the game. After Hall’s single, Bulldogs’ pitching faced the minimum the rest of the way. Jackson walked in the fourth but was erased on a 6-4-3 double play two pitches later.

It was a curious day to have such a poor performance at the plate, as Mississippi State’s Sunday starter, Karson Ligon, entered the game with a 7.33 ERA and a 2-4 record. But the righthander had the Gamecocks’ number, fanning eight while holding USC scoreless for 6.0 innings.

Gamecocks’ starter Brandon Stone (1-4) suffered the loss after giving up a 5-spot in the fourth. Matthew Becker performed admirably in relief and now has 245 career strikeouts at USC (173 innings).

South Carolina (19-14, 2-10) returns home to host USC Upstate at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday.

Box Score